BRIDGING THE GAPAn alternative gap experience in Cambodia

Managed by:

www.ayanajourneys.com

WHO

• Are you drawn towards doing good in the world and want to take timetoconsideryouroptions?

• Are you ready to travel, learn and explore but don’t yet want to committoajoborvolunteerexperience?

• Haveyouheardaboutthepossiblenegativeimpactsof“(volun)tourism”andaresearchingforanethical and engagingalternative?

• Areyoulookingfortheknowledgetoreflectonyourselfasatraveler, change-maker, and a member of a global community?

• Areyouinterestedinimmersing yourselfandunderstandingCambodianculture,andpassionateaboutgettingoffthebeatentrackandconnectingwithlocalcommunities?

• Isimportanttoyoutotravelethicallyandresponsibly,and“give back”alongtheway?

Thisexperienceisdesignedforthosewhowantthesafety,convenience,andthefast-formingfriendshipsthatcomewitha‘gap’stylegroupexperience,butarealsolookingforrichlearningopportunities,reflectivequestions,immersiveadventures,andatripthatmaximizespositiveimpacttohostcommunities.Oh,andabucketloadoffun!

WHAT

AfantasticinductiontothestunningandcomplexcountryofCambodia,thedevelopmentissuesitfacesandthekeyplayerswhoaremakingpositivechangesintheircommunity.

BytravelingwithPEPYToursyouwillnotonlyhaveanimmersive and adventurous experience,butyouwillgetthechancetodive into Cambodian history and culture,andalsospendtimelearningabouttheissuesthatcontinuetoaffectthisbeautifulcountry,andindeedourworld.Bymeeting with a diverse range of community members, NGOs, social entrepreneurs, and change-makers,youwillbeabletoexploreCambodian‘hottopics’,discovermodelsofdevelopment work and their complexities,andlearnaboutbothchallengesandstoriesofsuccess.TheselearningexperienceswillbefacilitatedbyPEPYTours’experiencedinstructorsthroughacombinationofreadings,groupactivities,discussions,meetingswithlocalinnovators,debates,andreflections.

WHERE

Cambodia,the“KingdomofWonder”,aplaceknownforitstemplesandrememberedforitspeople.We’llexploremanylocationsacrossthecountry,fromwell-knownsitessuchastheAngkorUNESCOPark,tocommunityhomestaysinrurallocationsofftheusualtouristmap.

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Siem Reap

Battambang

OudongKampong Cham

Sen MonoromKratie

Phnom Penh

Kampot

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WHY

Therearemanypeopleexcitedandpassionateabouttacklingtheworld’schallengesandmakingapositivechange–butknowingwhattodoandhowtodoitiscomplicated!Insteadofdivingstraightintoavolunteertripordevelopmentproject,weoffera learning trip that has the added benefit of also contributing to good causes around thecountry.

AportionofourfeeischanneleddirectlytooursisterNGO–PEPYEmpoweringYouth–andintoprojectsandorganizationsvisitedonthetrip.InthiswayparticipantswillbeabletoseehowtheimpactoftheirjourneywilllastfarbeyondtheirtimeinCambodia.Inadditiontothisfundingsupport,weencourageyoutorecognizeyourabilitytoeffectthepositivechangesyouwanttoseeintheworldthroughthechangesyoumakeinyourownlives,includingthewaysyougive,travel,live,andworkinthefuture.

WHEN

Thisisa‘signup’tourforindividualslookingtojoinagroup.Wehavescheduledthefollowingdeparturedate:

• August22nd,2016• January9th,2017• July31st,2017

Tripminimumnumberofparticipants: 6Tripmaximumnumberofparticipants: 12

Note–this1monthexperiencecaneitherbeanadventureinitself,orcouldformthestart,middle,orendofyourownindependenttravels.

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“I have truly never learned so

much on an overseas trip until now

and it is so refreshing to know that I

have been educated through an ethical

and responsible tour operator”

- Hayley, May 2015

www.ayanajourneys.comwww.pepytours.com

Day Location Activity Learning topics1 >PhnomPenh Arrival*2 PhnomPenh Orientation Cambodianculture3 PhnomPenh Orientation KhmerRouge4 PhnomPenh FREEDAY5 >Mondulkiri TraveltoSenMonorom6 Mondulkiri Exploringlocallandscape&meeting

developmentorganizationsIndigenouspeople,environment,conservation,wildlife

7 Mondulkiri Exploringlocallandscape&meetingdevelopmentorganizations

8 >Kratie TraveltoKratie Environment9 >KohP'dao TraveltoMekongislandandmeet

homestayfamiliesRurallife

10 KohP'dao Serviceproject,exploringisland,afternoondiscussions

Livelihoods,voluntourism,ruraldevelopment,agriculture,renewableenergy

11 KohP'dao12 KohP'dao13 >KampongCham TraveltoKampongCham14 KampongCham Meetingdevelopmentorganizations Education,religion15 >SiemReap TraveltoSiemReap

16 SiemReap FREEDAY17 SiemReap FREEDAY18 SiemReap DayexploringthemightyTemplesof

Angkor!19 SiemReap Culturalactivitiesandmeetingwith

developmentorganizationsWomen,education,poverty,socialenterprise

20 >Battambang TraveltoBattambang21 Battambang Meetingwithdevelopmentorganizations Education,orphanages22 Battambang FREEDAY23 >Oudong TraveltoOudong,night’sstayatapagoda Buddhism24 >PhnomPenh TraveltoPhnomPenh25 PhnomPenh Meetingwithdevelopmentorganizations Humanrights,empowerment,health,

socialenterprise26 PhnomPenh Meetingwithdevelopmentorganizations27 PhnomPenh FREEDAY28 >Kampot TraveltoKampot29 Kampot Meetingswithlocaldevelopment

organizationsDisabilities

30 Kampot Exploringthelocallandscape;Reflectionsandtransference

Ecotourism

31 >PhnomPenh

OR

>Beach (additional)

ConclusionoftourReturntoPhnomPenhtocatchdepartingflight*ORTransfer to Sihanoukville to access beaches & islands can be arranged at an additional cost

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

*Activitiesonthesedaysdependonarrivalanddeparturetimes.

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DIVE INTO KHMER CULTURE

Throw yourself into local life and learn what makes this fascinating country tick. Whatdopeopleeatforbreakfast?Whydomonkswearorangerobes?Whatdoes‘jolmoi’mean?WhatisthelegacyoftheKhmerRougeonmodernCambodia?Findoutasyouspendamonthwrappingyourtonguearoundnewwords,yourmoutharoundnewflavors,andyourmindaroundnewstories,superstitions,andwaysoflife…

S.21 and the Killing Fields – importantsitesofremembranceandidealplacestolearnaboutKhmerRougehistory

Food and cooking classes – Khmercuisineisdeliciousanddiverse,withinterestingregionalvariations.Embracinglocalfood(andlearninghowtocookit!)isoftenoneofourparticipants’favouriteactivities

Market visits and bartering – marketsarecentraltodailylifeinCambodia,andtakinginthesights,smells,andsoundsisagreattasteoflocallife

The Temples of Angkor –Cambodia’sproudestachievement!Exploringthesetrulymagnificenttemplesisamust

Pagodas and monks –BuddhismformsanintegralpartofCambodiancultureformostKhmerpeople.Studentswillvisitthesesacredplaces,meetmonks,andlearnabouttheirwayoflife.TherewillbeanopportunityforaBuddhistblessingforthoseinterested

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Mastering traditional skills – Fishing,basketweaving,playingKhmerinstrumentsandBokator(Cambodia’straditionalmartialart)arejustsomeoftheskillsstudentsmaygettotrytheirhandat!

UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPMENT

WhileCambodiaisconsideredtobea‘developingcountry’,itischangingquickly.Thereislargepopulationofyoungpeoplekeentomoveonfromthetraumasofthe20thcenturytoanexcitingnewfuture,andmanyincredible initiatives and individuals focused on creating positive change.

Thistripwillgiveyouarareopportunitytoreallydigbeneaththesurfaceofwhatitmeanstobea‘developingcountry’;toexploreandunderstandthecomplexitiesofissueslikeeducation,environmentalconservations,genderissues,andhumanrights,andmostimportantlymeetthepeoplewhoarefightingforimprovements.Inspiringstuffindeed!

Visiting development projects – Thistripofferstheopportunitytoexploreandunderstanddevelopmentprojectsworkingonavarietyofissuesacrossthecountry

Supporting social enterprise -Webelieveinprovidingandadvocatingresponsibletourism.Asoneoftheworld’slargestindustries,travelcanplayacrucialroleindevelopment.Youwillexperiencefirst-handinitiativesestablishedtobenefitlocalcommunitiesandthenaturalenvironment,bystayingatlocallyownedaccommodationandeatingatsocialenterpriserestaurants

Interviewing change-makers –Thetripoffersauniqueopportunitytomeetwithvisionaryandinspiringlocalpeoplewhoareactivelymakingchangeintheirowncommunities

Reflection, debate and discussion! -Yourtripinstructorswillenableyoutoprocesswhatyouhavebeenlearningbyfacilitatinglivelyandengagingdiscussionsthroughoutthetrip

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EXPLORING LANDSCAPES

Youwillvisitvarying landscapes and environmentsthroughoutyourjourney.Toconnectwiththeuniquebeautyofdifferentsites,youcantrydifferentactivitiesthatgetyouupcloseandpersonalwithnature.Belowareexamplesofactivitiesyoumaytakepartinduringyouradventure:

Trekking –EasternCambodiaisgeographicallyquitedifferentfromtherestofthecountry,withacoolerclimateandmanymorehills!Byspendingadayortwotrekkingwithalocalguide,studentswillalsobeabletolearnmoreabouttheminoritytribesthatliveinthisarea,allofwhomarefacingmanychallengesasCambodiaquicklymodernises

Bike rides –Whatbetterwaytoexplorethecountrysideandgetoffthebeatentrackthanonatwo-wheeledadventure?Onanumberofstopsalongthejourneythegroupwilltaketimetotakeintheirsurroundingsatthelocalpace

Boat rides –Exploremangroveforestsanddiscoverinspirationalcommunitybasedecotourisminitiativestopromoteenvironmentalbestpracticeandplantingprograms

Elephants –Elephantridingisacurrenthottopicinthetravelmedia;torideornottoride?Webelieveamuchmoreethicalapproachtoexperiencingthesebeautifulcreaturesistoseetheminamorenaturalsetting,andthroughthefacilitationofexperiencedconservationistsdedicatedtotheirwelfare.LearnaboutelephantsinCambodia,andthechallengesfacingtheirhabitats

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KOH P’DAO

Stayingwithalocalfamily(homestay)offersauniqueinsightintolifeinruralCambodia,andthecontextinwhichmanydevelopmentprojectstakeplace.OntheislandofKohP’daoyouwillstaywithalocalfamilyingroupsof2or3.

WhilestayingontheislandofKohP’dao,youcanopttoassistonprojectsthathavebeenidentifiedbyislandersasintegraltothedevelopmentoftheirsmallcommunity.Thisisanopportunitytolearnaboutlifeinaremoteruralarea,exploresomeofthecomplexitiesofdevelopmentworkintheseareas,andoffertohelpinasmallway.Itwillalsoprovideinsightintoavoluntourismmodelthathasbeendevelopedinpartnershipwiththecommunityitaimstoserve.

Inthepastthishasincludedthefollowingactivities.• Levelingland• Buildingfences• Buildinganimalshelters• Building‘homegardens’• Plantingrice• Helpingtobuildrainwatercollectors• Helpingtoinstallbio-digesters• Helpingtobuildsanitationfacilities

Mostimportantly,wewilltakethetimetolearnaboutandcriticallyanalyzecurrentmodelsofservicetoreflectonwhatitmeansandhowitwillimpactyourlifegoingforward.

LEARNING JOURNEY

Webelieveinthepoweroftraveltotransformandrevitalize.Tosupportyouthroughyourownjourneyofdiscovery,yourtripleaderwillsuggestreadings,facilitatediscussions,andencouragegroupreflections.Belowisanoutlineofthetopicsthisadventuremaytouchupon,andquestionsitmayraise…

Personal Journeys• Personaldevelopment–Goals,comfortandchallengezones?• Globalcitizenship–WhatdoesitmeanandhowcanIbeanactive/empatheticglobalcitizen?• Transference–Lessonslearnedandtheimpactonmyfuture

Country Context• Cultureandculturaldifferences–Definitions,communicationchallenges,andtheimportanceinthecontextof

development• Cambodianculture–Traditions,norms,andchangesinthefuture• Khmervs.Cambodian–Languageandculture• Buddhismandreligion–TheravadaBuddhism,faith,religion,andculture• AncientCambodianhistory–Khmerempire• TwentiethcenturyCambodianhistory–Goldendays(1960s),KhmerRouge,andtheimpacttoday

Development• Foreignaid–NGOS,localvsinternational,hand-outs,andcomparingmodels• NGOmarketingandcommunications–‘Povertyporn’,sensationalismvssimplification• Sustainabilityandimpact–Monitoring,evaluating,andtransparency• Donatingandresponsiblegiving–Donating,givingthingsaway,andbegging• Socialenterprise–Purpose,models,businessvscharity

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Travel and tourism• Voluntourism–Motivations,impacts,criticism,alternatives,orphanagetourism• Communitydevelopment-Communitybasedtourism,povertyalleviation• Conservation-Protectedareas,ecotourism• Education-Trainingneeds,initiativesandinstitutions;fundingcharitableprojects• Heritage-ImpactsatAngkorWat,aUNESCOWorldHeritagesite

COSTS

Price per person (USD) $4,950

RequireddonationtoPEPYNGO(perperson):$200**

Inclusions:• Pre-departureSkypeQ&Asessions• Allaccommodation(clean,basic,locally-runguesthousesorhomestays)• Allmealsanddrinkingwater,withtheexceptionof5lunchesanddinners• Entrancefees,guides,andtransportationforalllistedactivities• TrainedandexperiencedPEPYToursinstructorstoleadthetrip,facilitatediscussionsandreflections,andprovide

24-hoursupport• In-depthorientationandreadingmaterialsprovidedthroughoutthetrip• A$100USDdonationtoallNGOsandsocialbusinessesvisited• VAT(10%)

Exclusions:• Cambodianvisa($30USD,availableonarrivalformostnationalities)• Travelinsurance(mustincludeemergencymedicalevacuation)• Travelto/fromCambodia• Snacksanddrinksotherthanwater• Singlerooms

**We strongly recommend that participants fundraise this amount, and can offer fundraising guidance and support

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“Not only have I

learned more about development

during one month in Cambodia than two

years at university, I have learned to critically

analyze and dig deeper in

to every theme and issue”

- Sara, April 2015