Dr Beat Richner performs music on his Cello every Firday and Saturday night in the auditorium of Javarman VII Hospital. He has devoted his life to helping the children of Cambodia, and has built three hospitals which are funded only by donations, and provide world-class medical care to children free of charge.
This evening will open your eyes, and you will be swept along by Beatocello's passion for what he does. It will show you that in our world unfortunately one life is not necessarily as important as another in the eyes of International Charities, Governments and Aid Organisations. Children are dying in Cambodia every day from entirely preventable diseases, and Beatocello is devoting his life to trying to stop it.
He asks for blood donations which are desperately needed from the young and money from anyone else.

Every Friday and Saturday evening at 7:15pm, Javavarman VII Hospital, Road to Angkor

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A very good thing to do in Siem Reap, other than visiting the astonishing temples, is to give blood in the Kantha Bopha Childrens' Hospital. You cannot miss it, it's on the way to the temples. Blood is always in demand in this country where so many are excluded from giving it due to past illness, and you can be assured of total safety from infection and the highest standards of hygeine. All visitors to Angkor can leave something really useful by spending an hour of their time at the blood bank, located in the Jaya Varman VII Hospital. Get a free T-shirt, some stickers and leave behind some much-needed - healthy blood.

Jaya Varman VII Hospital, Siem Reap

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Earthwalkers is a fantastic, friendly, buzzing guesthouse. Run by a group of young Norwegians and employing brilliantly friendly, happy and professional Khmer staff, they have clean, comfortable rooms and great service as well as a welcoming and sociable bar and restaurant area. Tours to Tonle Sap, Angkor Wat and other spots can easily be organised, as well as onward travel - nothing is too much hassle.

One of the best things about staying at Earthwalkers is the chance to make a genuine difference in Siem Reap and further afield - Earthwalkers runs a fund dedicated to helping underprivileged Cambodians, and also co-ordinates voluntary work, as well as holding regular Apsara dancing shows by local children.

Siem Reap - Airport Road. Most tuk tuk and motorbike drivers in town know it;
www.earthwalkers.no, or book online via www.hostelworld.com.

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After three days of clambering around Angkor Wat there may still be a gap in your Cambodia experience: making a connection with the local people. I recommend teaching at Savong's School. I was apprehensive but the students were welcoming and enthusiastic and their humour is infectious. The full-time teachers accompany you and handle translation and the local style is to work from a glossary of words. Now Savong runs a bigger volunteer school (thanks to overseas support) and it serves 350 students in a rural area east of Siem Reap. Most of these kids are very poor but they value education enormously and languages represent the best hope of getting future employment, thanks to the tourism industry. It has become customary for visitors to make a small donation to help the school (US$10- 20 or more if you want to make a difference) or at least to bring a football (kids were wearing Beckham t-shirts when I was first there) or a volleyball or go shopping with Savong to find books or pens for the kids. Overall the whole experience was very moving for me.

D&D Angkor Villa Guest House liases closely with the school.
The school is 30 minutes east of Siem Reap and Savong can arrange transport for you (the back of his motorbike if you're alone - or tuk tuk if there are more than one of you.)
www.angkorvilla.com
www.savong.com

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