Most travellers first learn of Siem Reap when they start planning a visit to the famous Cambodian World Heritage Site that includes Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is, of course, a stunning 12th-century temple and the best-preserved structure of the Angkor Group, a wide-reaching jungle-thick area of hundreds of incredible monuments. It is, for many, a highlight of any trip through Southeast Asia. And on 5 December 2009, it will be centre stage for the fourth annual Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally. [Editor's note: Don't miss our postscript and fundraising update following the events of the day.]
Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument ever built, is the backdrop for Siem Reap's fourth annual Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally
Never Lose Hope (‘Sangkheum’)
Angkor Wat is such a powerful tourist magnet that in 2009, despite a notable drop in the number of travellers across the region as a result of the global financial crisis, Siem Reap – Cambodia’s fastest growing city and the gateway and tourism hub for Angkor Wat – and in fact all of Cambodia have been keeping very busy.
Good times, however, are a relative thing. The daily challenges of life in the developing world are no less poignant in Siem Reap, where, even with steady revenue from tourism as a critical economic crutch for large numbers of people, there are still many orphaned, abused and neglected children who would otherwise be at risk of turning to a life on the streets.
Responding to the needs of this needy population is the Sangkheum Center for Children (sangkheum means ‘hope’ in the Khmer language), which has been providing education, training, scholastic support and care to disadvantaged children and youth (age 2 to 19) in Cambodia since 2001.
“Our program embraces both general education and vocational training,” explains the website. Resident and non-resident “children and young adults have the opportunity to learn and develop valuable life skills through a number of activities including Khmer education, Khmer culture, traditional dance and music, handicraft design, dressmaking, sewing and iron welding. The children also attend recreational activities, English language lessons and play sports.”
Lita, a young adult from the Sangkheum Program for Young Adults in Siem Reap, stands proudly next to a sign for the program that has made such a difference in his life. He now works full time at the Soria Moria Hotel after having done a trainee period there and left the Sangkheum Centre.
Like many charitable groups, the Sangkheum Center for Children relies on goodwill and charitable donations to continue its work and expand its reach. Some of the goodwill comes from local partners, like the team from the Soria Moria Hotel, who also run the Siem Reap Hotel and Guesthouse Reservation Service (angkorhotels.org), the whl.travel local partner in Siem Reap.
This year, for the first time, though, some of the legwork (literally) required for raising funds will come from the very young people who have benefited from the Center’s projects and programs.
Young Adults Take Action
Although participants come from all over the world, one local team in this year’s Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally will be an eager band from the Sangkheum Program for Young Adults, a two-stage support program for resident young adults at the Sangkheum Center for Children who must leave at age 18.
“The initial idea of the cycle challenge surfaced after a presentation where, amongst many other things, the young adults were told a little bit about how money was raised and the young adults were encouraged to practice their English and ask questions,” said Thomas Holdo Hansen of the Soria Moria Hotel and angkorhotels.org. “One of those questions was ‘Could we do a cycling challenge?’ Enthused by earlier cycle rides and fundraising efforts, they not only wanted to take on a challenge, but to help raise funds for themselves and the next generation of young adults at the Sangkheum Center.”
Bota, who now works part-time as a trainee at angkorhotels.org in Siem Reap, gives some instructions before a training session in preparation for the bike rally
The Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally seemed like a perfect opportunity. It is both a fun physical event and an important fundraiser hosted by Village Focus International and benefiting local charity projects, including a boarding school in Mondulkiri, a slum school in Battambang and development projects in over 70 villages in northwest Cambodia.
The young adults decided instead to raise money for the Sangkheum Center for Children. “These guys were not sitting around waiting for help to fall into their laps,” continued Hansen. “They were prepared to actually get up and do something to improve their way of life and we are very proud of them.”
As a powerful manifestation of this pride, Hansen and others from the Soria Moria Hotel decided to join the young adults, both in the 30-kilometre bike race and in the fundraising.
“For the last couple of months we have been training with the young adults and educators from the Sangkheum Center every Sunday morning at 8am starting outside of Soria Moria Hotel and then a doing some different routes along scenic back roads, through local villages and also the inside the Angkor temple complex itself in order to prepare for the cycle challenge,” said Hansen. “I will also participate in the actual race and I am actually very much looking forward to it.”
In terms of fundraising, “Now, at the time of writing, we have managed to raise more than US$1000 and we hope to increase this figure before the actual event.”
Partners Hit the Right Cadence
Hansen and his partners are not alone in having thrown their support behind this team endeavour of the Young Adults Program. The Hotel de la Paix, one of Siem Reap’s most stylish hotels, has also been actively found a way to help the young adults hit their stride.
Children in Cambodia make the most of their bicycles, especially as daily transport to and from school
“As part of Mastercard’s ‘Purchase with Purpose’ programme, Hotel de la Paix arranged to donate bicycles to the children of Siem Reap on behalf of guests who paid their accounts using Mastercard,” explained Wendy Morris, the hotel’s general manager. “Hotel de la Paix recommended Sangkheum Center as a primary beneficiary for distribution of 70 bicycles due to their long-standing relationship with us and in recognition of their outstanding efforts in community development.”
In addition to the Soria Moria Hotel and Hotel de la Paix, Angkor Holiday Hotel and City Angkor Hotel are all offering special rates for event participators. Be sure to note that you are a race participant when making a booking.
“The benefits of this event are many,” said Hansen, “but I believe that one of the key ones is that the young adults from the Sangkheum Center are actively taking part and learning about health, fitness, exercise and the discipline required for training to a big event, including encouragement and motivation.”
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For more information, current fundraising status and secure online donations, please visit the Young Adults online fundraising page.
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If you won’t be in the region on the day of the race but are thrilled by the idea of visiting Angkor on two wheels, you can always experience Angkor by bicycle – leisurely day trips or multi-day adventure expeditions – in the company of certified and experienced cycle guides.
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For any other information about Siem Reap, including accommodation, tours, activities and lots of insider tips, the Siem Reap Hotel and Guesthouse Reservation Service is your local connection in Siem Reap for whl.travel (part of the WHL Group).
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