Just before our April holidays start (upcoming Songkran festival) in Thailand we decided to take a short trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia. This was a long time coming adhering to the fact that we live so close to the country but never got the time or motivation to visit, until now.

While researching for places to stay we heard about Mad Monkey hostels from our partners at TripWire. They told us about how amazing the hostel was for partying but also more importantly, they work with local communities to improve welfare. This certainly piqued our interests since recently we have been on this mission to be more responsible in our travels.

Soon after we had made our travel bookings and applied for a visa. In one short hour plane ride, we were in Siem Reap.

The Hotel Stay

We stayed at the Naga Angkor, a sister budget hotel of the Mad Monkey hostel group. We opted to stay at this establishment because, although we love to party, we were intrigued by the facilities and ambiance of Naga – basically it was quieter and more private, which is what we needed.

Upon arrival, the staff was extremely courteous and friendly. We met with Danny, the hotel manager, who explained every little detail to us – how to get around, booking taxis/tuk-tuks for tours and generously answered all our questions. Soon after we were checked-in and shown to our room.

Everything was clean and well-kept. The location of the hotel was central to everything – pub street, temples and restaurants. Perfect for our short little trip. The Mad Monkey hostel was also only a few minutes away by foot, which was good since they had a pool to cool off and relax at in the blistering hot weather.

The Clean Water Project

On our last day in Siem Reap, hours before the flight, we got the amazing opportunity to visit some of the local villages, where Mad Monkey helps provide clean water. It is part of their socially responsible values.

The project is founded and run by a local NGO known as the Cambodian Buddhism Association for Vulnerable Children.

Our journey to the villages began after the driver picked up a Buddhist Monk, Venerable San Van, who is also the founder and director of the organization. We greeted each other politely before he seated himself in the front, next to the driver. The 1.5 hour journey felt extremely long as the two conversed in their language as we sat quietly in the back, smiling at each other.

Nearing our destination, I broke the one-sided silence by asking Ven. San Van a few questions about his NGO. He explained that up to date, the project has built over 250 water wells that provide fresh clean water to over 500 families. Not nearly enough he exclaimed.

He continued to tell us how the families must coexist to share water for everyday use – for drinking, bathing and even the irrigation of their crops.

Mad Monkey has provided clean water to over 7,000 people in rural areas of Cambodia and they intend to keep doing that till everyone has access to it. What they do is provide financial aid and resources to build water wells in village homes, which in turn can provide water to at least 4 different neighboring homes.

We got to see all this up close and personal. Indeed, the villagers have a tough life but they were all smiles when they met with us. No one begged for money like you would see in the city. They work hard and they are generous on top of it. They are also very appreciative – the eyes and smiles gave it away.

It was an alarming experience and makes you feel really grateful for what you have. Sure, our experience at the lake scam made us teary but this was more genuine and hit us deeper. The further we went into the village, the more attachment we felt towards the locals here. People here can’t speak English so they would just wave, smile and press their hands together. We would do the same. At that moment, that was all we could do and hoped it was enough. We know it wasn’t.

Green onion crop

Here Ven. San Van shows us one of the ways the villagers pump water out of the well. He explained it is an easier method whereas traditionally, people had to lower buckets down the well and pull it out with water. It is time consuming and difficult.

I even took a few sips of the water and I have to say it was quite fresh and cool. We were extremely impressed with this project because it is so important. Water is the essence of life and it helps the community in so many ways that we so often take for granted.

If you would like to donate money to build these water wells, each costs only US $230 to build, which is nothing compared to the positive impact it creates for the communities. Plus you also get a well named after you!

For updates on how the project is doing, visit the Facebook page of CBAVC and do check out their video below.

Other Projects

Mad Monkey is also involved with many other social ventures such as education development and arts support.

They have provided over $2500 in funding for arts charities that work with disadvantaged children in Cambodia and distributed over $11,000 for education.

We absolutely love the guys and girls at Mad Monkey because not only are they so caring and socially responsible, they are great, fun people. We just wish more organizations in travel and hospitality business were like this.