Hai Lai and his wife tend their vegetable garden.
By Channel NewsAsia's Hiroshi Limmel
Posted: 13 March 2008
SIEM REAP: Most Cambodians suffered through Khmer Rouge policies that killed over one and a half million people in the 1970s. Following the end of the regime in 1979, millions of tourists have been pouring into Siem Reap. Attracted by the tourist dollar, many poor Cambodians are also moving into the area. Hai Lai and his wife moved to a parched piece of land two years ago. Before that, they lived in Klang Village and fished for a living. They moved to Siem Reap because of their wish to live in the tourist town of Angkor Wat. But their decision to move came at a cost as they did not have the skills to be farmers. "In the past, it was very difficult to farm. There was no nearby water. The soil was hard and dry, which made it impossible to grow anything. I would draw water one pail at a time from the river and that was hard work," said Hai Lai. With only a tiny stream as his water source, Hai Lai could only grow crops worth US$1 a week. But thanks to a little help from a boutique hotel called Shinta Mani, Hai Lai's financial situation changed for the better. The hotel attracts guests by stating that one of its goals is to help the local community. The hotel owner, who is a returning Cambodian, explains his business concept. Sokoun Chanpreda, Owner of Shinta Mani & Bed Supper Club, said: "Objective is not to give them a skill; it is to give them employment. What good is there to give them a skill without employment?" Today, Hai Lai is enjoying the benefits of a new well, which was built with a sum of money donated by a guest at the hotel. He now draws more water for his crops and makes about US$5 per week. The ease of having a well on the farm also means less chores for his wife who could then spend more time with their children after she finishes her share of farm work. As Hai Lai has also managed to save some money, the future looks bright for the family.
SIEM REAP: Most Cambodians suffered through Khmer Rouge policies that killed over one and a half million people in the 1970s. Following the end of the regime in 1979, millions of tourists have been pouring into Siem Reap. Attracted by the tourist dollar, many poor Cambodians are also moving into the area. Hai Lai and his wife moved to a parched piece of land two years ago. Before that, they lived in Klang Village and fished for a living. They moved to Siem Reap because of their wish to live in the tourist town of Angkor Wat. But their decision to move came at a cost as they did not have the skills to be farmers. "In the past, it was very difficult to farm. There was no nearby water. The soil was hard and dry, which made it impossible to grow anything. I would draw water one pail at a time from the river and that was hard work," said Hai Lai. With only a tiny stream as his water source, Hai Lai could only grow crops worth US$1 a week. But thanks to a little help from a boutique hotel called Shinta Mani, Hai Lai's financial situation changed for the better. The hotel attracts guests by stating that one of its goals is to help the local community. The hotel owner, who is a returning Cambodian, explains his business concept. Sokoun Chanpreda, Owner of Shinta Mani & Bed Supper Club, said: "Objective is not to give them a skill; it is to give them employment. What good is there to give them a skill without employment?" Today, Hai Lai is enjoying the benefits of a new well, which was built with a sum of money donated by a guest at the hotel. He now draws more water for his crops and makes about US$5 per week. The ease of having a well on the farm also means less chores for his wife who could then spend more time with their children after she finishes her share of farm work. As Hai Lai has also managed to save some money, the future looks bright for the family.
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