PHILANTHROPY runs deep amongst management of several major hotels in Siem Reap with generous contributions to the NGO community.

The Angkor Palace Resort and Spa hosted a display of information boards and a water filter from the Trailblazer NGO, raising awareness that many people in Cambodia don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water.

Guests were drawn to the slightly unusual sight of a large, concrete water filter standing amongst the expensive sculptures that grace the hotels’ impressive reception area.

The hotel’s collection box was recently emptied and yielded $375, enough to buy eight water filters. Trailblazer director Chris Coats presented a certificate of appreciation to the hotel’s general manager, Weng Aow, and said that as each filter can serve up to three families, more than 20 families in the Angkor Thom district would now have access to clean and safe drinking water.

The display was organised by Michael Horton and the staff of ConCERT, the local NGO that helps Siem Reap visitors to support local people.

Siem Reap’s Hotel de la Paix unveiled its new Sewing School for underprivileged young Khmer women on April 14, following the completion of a $50,000 rebuilding project in conjunction with MasterCard Worldwide’s ‘Purchase with Purpose’ scheme.

The new building includes new plumbing and electrics, roof and sanitary facilities, and sees the school’s capacity increase from 20 to 25 students per year. There will also be a brand new workplace for girls who have found sewing work in Siem Reap after graduating.

The Sewing School was established in 2007 as a joint venture between Hotel de la Paix and the monks at Life & Hope Association at Wat Damnak.

So far over 135 disadvantaged young women have completed the 10-month seamstress course, which has provided them with the skills and means to support themselves. Most come from rural communities where opportunities for education, training or work are limited.

The rebuilding of the Sewing School follows a previous similar collaboration between the Hotel de la Paix and MasterCard which resulted in the donation of more than 1000 bikes and school bags to underprivileged children.