The Selfless Reason: Cambodia needs help!

Cambodia did not fare well in the second half of the twentieth century.  Firstly there was extensive bombing during the US-Vietnam War in the Sixties.  Then there was the atrocious Khmer Rouge genocide of the Seventies, in which millions were killed in Pol Pot’s attempt to reduce the nation back to year-zero.  Then came Vietnamese occupation and civil war in the Nineties, which finally ended in 1996 with the surrender of the last remnants of the Khmer Rouge.  Read more about Cambodian History here.

Decades of war and conflict are largely to blame for the underdevelopment and poverty which persists in Cambodia through to the present day.  The vast majority of the population depend upon primary industries such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry – and average incomes are frequently below $10 per month.  Access to clean water, improved sanitation, decent housing, healthcare and education is extremely limited, especially in rural areas, and even when compared to other developing nations, Cambodia has a huge burden of orphaned children to care for.  Without external assistance, many Cambodians face no hope of escaping from the poverty trap in which they find themselves ensnared.  Read more about Cambodia’s Development profile here.

The Selfish Reason: Cambodia is full of Attractions!

Since the end of the War, Cambodia (especially Siem Reap) has seen significant growth in tourism, and is fast becoming one of the hottest travel destinations in Asia.  It is a nation rich with history, culture and natural beauty.  Siem Reap alone boasts Angkor Wat – the largest religious monument in the World and the Tonle Sap Lake – the richest fishing lake in the World and a UNESCO designated ecological hotspot.  There aren’t many other places in the World that can boast about having two World Wonders within a stone’s throw of one town – which is one of the reasons why Siem Reap is a very popular destination for tourists and volunteers.  Read more about attractions in Siem Reap here.