Background
One of Southeast Asia’s most visited tourist sites, Angkor Wat, attracts millions of visitors per year. People from around the globe marvel at the temples that were constructed between 802- 1220AD. The temples received UNESCO status in 1992, further increasing its popularity amongst tourists. The millions of dollars in revenue the site generates, as well as the management of the temples however has been subject to numerous controversial corruption allegations leaving the Cambodian people little benefits from this money-making tourist hotspot. In addition, the explosion of foreign owned hotels and restaurants in the town of Siem Reap during the past years has negatively impacted the community as most of these profits are leaving the country to shareholders of multinational conglomerates.
Along with local partners, World Volunteer have initiated the Eco Bungalow project in Siem Reap. The mission of the project is to facilitate the necessary infrastructure in order for villages in close proximity to Siem Reap to take advantage of the opportunity Community Based Tourism (CBT) can bring. The village of Chan Sar has been carefully selected for the project due to its close proximity to Siem Reap, hidden temples, amazing jungle and leadership within the village.
Project
The participating students will build and develop adobe clay housing that will be rented out to tourists. The bungalow will provide the village the opportunity to generate their own alternative income from small scale tourism. The Adobe building construction also demonstrates how villagers in the future can build their own house using cost effective material that can be locally sourced.
World volunteer constructs buildings using a combination of environmentally friendly building techniques. The majority of the materials used for the building can be sourced from the site itself. Clay, sand, straw, rice husk, water, tapioca, and lime are the building components for the house.
Impact
World Volunteer since 2012 has worked on a similar initiative in Luang Prabang, Laos generating substantial cash income to the partnering communities. Based on the experience from our work in Laos, World Volunteer aims to replicate similar benefits for our partnering community in Cambodia. The bungalow will provide the village with a facility that generates cash income and labor opportunities for years to come.
Location
Siem Reap, Cambodia
