Steven Van Yoder just returned from an exploratory meeting in Siem Reap, Cambodia to discuss a possible project with several local Cambodian NGOs. The meeting was organized by Michael Horton, founder of ConCERT (Connecting Communities, Environment & Responsible Tourism), an organization committed to reducing poverty by connecting people who want to help with local organizations. GIVE has been in discussion with Horton for the past few months, who agrees that GIVE's entrepreneurship model could be a beneficial supplement to the efforts of ConCERT and its member organizations.
Steven led a discussion about the challenges and opportunities in Siem Reap, a province that is home to the world famous Angkor Wat temple complex which attracts over 1 million visitors a year. Steven provided an overview of GIVE's work in the Philippines, including a summary of GIVE's proprietary Entrepreneurship Center concept already established in Manila.
Despite the thriving local tourism industry, poverty persists. A number of ConCERT member organizations are applying social entrepreneurship, earned income and vocational training programs to help the local population.
Stay tuned for a possible partnership project in Siem Reap that applies GIVE's poverty alleviation model through existing local NGOs.
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