Corporate social responsibility in Siem Reap

Published by Nicky Sullivan at 3:39 am under Sightseeing & activities

18. January 2012

It will surprise many of Siem Reap’s visitors to know that, despite the enormous amount of money spent by all two million of you each year, Siem Reap province remains the third poorest of Cambodia’s 23 provinces. This is a devastating statistic, and indicates that very little of the money that you spend here is making its way down to the people. There are, in effect, two economies in Siem Reap province: the tourist one, which is limited to the provincial capital and doing nicely, and the local one, which is not.

In a country with more than 3,000 non-governmental organisations (NGOs), it’s tempting to assume that the non-profit model is the best way to connect Cambodia’s growing number of tourists with the local population. However, and it may sound surprising, it is actually some of Siem Reap’s businesses that can give visitors the best opportunity to engage constructively with local people, make a genuine contribution to someone else’s well-being, and take some steps towards bridging that gap between tourists and the local economy.

This is a personal review of a number of businesses in Siem Reap whose corporate social responsibility structures I have looked at. I’ve discussed their community programmes with their owners or managers, and the single feature that always shone through was the passion they all felt for giving something back to the country that they feel so privileged to live and work in. Moreover, notwithstanding the social, economic and political problems Cambodia faces, doing business here is an awful lot easier than many other parts of the world. Giving something back is one way to recognise and acknowledge that, and the relationship goes two ways. Not only are the businesses mentioned here thriving, but everybody knows who they are too.

The opening of a new restaurant in December is a great example of how some businesses care, and care passionately, about contributing. Haven was established by a Swiss couple who were unable to find a satisfactory answer to their question: “What happens to young, institutionalised Cambodian kids when they’re too old to stay in the institutions?” No-one seemed to know, so they set about creating their own answer.

The result is a restaurant in a relaxed, stylish, setting that serves great food, and whose raison d’être is to provide formal training for those “in-between” kids. While the restaurant’s opening was funded by donations, it is a registered company, and is expected to be sustainable within the next two years. For diners and beneficiaries, the win-win is palpable, and very, very palatable.

Haven: style, heart and fantastic pumpkin burgers

The best Caesar salads in Siem Reap

Published by Nicky Sullivan at 6:31 am under Food & drink

26. April 2012

It’s possible that Caesar salad may be the first truly globalised recipe (provided one excludes the fat, salt, sugar and multiple-chemical delivery systems marketed by fast food dealers). The popular assemblage, once the preserve of restaurants with Maitre d’s that let you know you’d failed by the precise way they called you “Sir” or “Madame”, can now be found on menus in everything from roadside cafes to local bistros and high-end establishments, and in cities all over the world from Santiago to Stockholm, in South Africa, Singapore, Sydney and, of course, Siem Reap.....

Further in town, I found one at Haven that is tasty and filling, and not fishy. Haven is a newish restaurant that was set up as a training restaurant for young Cambodians. This is their first year of operations and even they are stunned at how successful they’ve been, and there are plenty of good reasons for that success.Haven should be added to everyone’s list of places they have to try in Siem Reap before they leave....

Haven and Nyemo Le Rit’s in Siem ReapPublished by Nicky Sullivan at 1:05 pm under Accommodation

8. August 2012

A while ago, I wrote about where to go if you’d like to sprinkle a little good karma on your dinner or your bed by eating and sleeping at places that help to support NGOs or the people of Siem Reap. These included Sala Bai, Joe-To-Go, Soria Moria, and Green Star all of which I’m pleased to tell you are still excellent and still going strong. They have, however, since been joined by a few more establishments who also work to support Cambodians either directly or indirectly and are worth a mention of their own.

One of these is Haven, the creation of a Swiss couple who had a notion that something more needed to be done to support teenagers who are making the difficult transition from institution to real world and it is, I have to admit, one of my favourite all-round restaurants now. They decided that vocational training could help, so they went back to Switzerland, set up a foundation, raised the funds, came back to Cambodia in April last year, found the land, designed the restaurant, built it, found students who wanted to train, opened the restaurant, and then they really went to work; they’ve barely been able to sit down for a cup of coffee since the launch in December. It’s been a huge success, not just because it’s a good idea, but because the menu is interesting, the food is tasty, the set-up is fresh, vibrant and lovely, plus they’re very responsive to their customers’ needs.

Haven has a small open-plan dining area that is stylish without boasting about the fact. You can see right into what’s happening in the kitchen from the bench tables inside, while the garden in front has a larger area that can be covered during the midday sun, and the rains. The menu counts many favourites including pastas, burgers, soups, and traditional Cambodian dishes, but also some really interesting additions like their, yummy, pumpkin burger — to which this non-vegetarian is addicted – Schnitzels and an Australian beef entrecote with blue cheese sauce, among many others.

And even if you’re not hungry, Haven is a great spot to hang out, drink coffee or a refreshing lime/mint juice, and listen to the brilliant music on the unobtrusive sound system (this is post-punk fan heaven). Haven’s slogan is “Where helping tastes good”, and it’s true. It sounds good too.

Haven’s Pumpkin Burger

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Garden restaurants in Siem Reap

Published by Nicky Sullivan at 6:15 am under Food & drink

12. September 2012

While some might argue that a large bowl of glistening French fries is the best accompaniment to any dish, sometimes it doesn’t quite do the trick. In fact, what might work best is simply a better view, and this can be hard to come by in Siem Reap. The colour green is said to create feelings of comfort, laziness, relaxation and calm. And what could possibly make everything taste better than that? There are a couple of restaurants in town that are set in gardens, helping you to get away from the hustle and crowds, and perhaps soothing your fevered brow as you browse the menu.

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I’m going to include this one only because I’m addicted to them, and it’s sort of a garden, kind of. Haven is a training restaurant for Khmer young adults who are making a transition from institutional care to independence. This year they have three students learning how to cook in their kitchen, and one who’s learning front of house skills. Their

garden is more of a stone garden (though it’s far from a concrete jungle!). It is outside, on gravel, with carefully planned and tended flower beds on the side. It’s not busting with greenery as, for example, RiverGarden and the Peace Cafe are, but it does offer its own solaces. Haven’s food, atmosphere, responsiveness and general air of relaxed care combine to make this place stand out for me, and it’s a real pleasure to take time out, enjoy a coffee and just relax here.

Gardening in HAVEN