Phare, the Cambodian Circus, Shinta Mani and Travel Indochina have joined forces to carry out a deceptively simple yet revolutionary plan to change Cambodia for the better with children's books and educational toys from around the world. 

Books and toys for children under age 15 will be collected under the big top at Phare, the Cambodian Circus as well as at Shinta Mani Resort & Club along the Siem Reap River and by Travel Indochina, then distributed to 4,000 of the youngest and most vulnerable Cambodians through two registered non-profit Cambodian associations: Build Your Future Today and Phare Ponleu Selpak.

Build Your Future Today supports 25 villages across Siem Reap Province by stocking school libraries with appropriate learning materials. The Siem Reap based non-profit was founded in April 2006 by Mr. Long Sedtha, whose own life journey from Khmer Rouge era refugee to United National volunteer serves as an inspiration. Phare Ponleu Selpak, meaning "Brightness of the Arts" in Khmer is a social enterprise, based in Battambang combining the PPS school that offers free education to 1,200 disadvantaged youngsters from the surrounding area. In addition to a public school, PPS operates an arts school, a music school, a theatre school and of course the circus school. This rich education provided by Phare Ponleu Selpak offers young people a way out of their past, towards a future filled with opportunity. Books are the most essential building block to ensuring that success.

Siem Reap welcomes nearly two million international visitors annually. Many enjoy memories of a lifetime at the Phare Circus, Shinta Mani Resort & Club and on Angkor Wat temple excursions with Travel Indochina. These hospitality industry leaders now make it possible for their guests and friends to help Cambodia's youth expand their imaginations just as international travellers are privileged to do. As Shinta Mani General Manager Christian de Boer says of the initiative: "I personally hope our guests and other likeminded tourists will bring their favorite children's books, already loved or new, and kids toys from home and drop them in the various collection boxes around Siem Reap."


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For more information:

www.BooksforCambodia.com

 
Guy Singer

Phare Performing Social Enterprise - P.R. Consultant

Mobile: +855 (0) 95 940 523

Email:  singer.guy@pharecambodiancircus.org  

www.PhareCambodianCircus.org

Paula Harrigan

Travel Indochina - Cambodia Product Manager and Siem Reap Office Manager

Mobile: +855 (0) 12 915 819

Email: paula.harrigan@travelindochina.com

www.travelindochina.com.au

Christian De Boer

Shinta Mani

Mobile: +855 (0) 92 34 56 55

Email : gm.sr@shintamani.com

www.shintamani.com