SmallWorld Cambodia

Mission: Our mission is to discover and create innovative business and employment opportunities for Cambodian youth in an open and casual work environment.

From www.ic.org/directory/smallworldu/:

We are a youth-based learning and investment community, ages 18 to 30. Participating elders of all ages and nationalities act as role models, mentors, instructors, advocates and supporters. Our planned rural land base is a ground-up design opportunity, with anticipated rural locations in Mondulkiri and Kampot Provinces.

Cambodia can seem easy to write off as an impossible alternative, but those who know Cambodia understand differently. Personal and institutional regulation is minimal, costs are relatively low, while the majority of people still understand the simple way of life. Acquiring a long-term visa is simple process, it's inexpensive, and easy to extend indefinitely. Urbanized Cambodians are eager to speak English, while the nation as a whole uses US dollars alongside their own monetary system.

Less than fifty years ago, modern Cambodian civilization was completely destroyed. A communal way of life remains as an ancient tradition, while Western urbanization only now is beginning to slowly creep in. With this first post-war generation, the majority of youths remain traditionally minded, modest, respectful of elders and foreign visitors. Public infrastructure is quickly evolving, while outside investments are pouring in. The benefits of a stable and well entrenched, local informal economy are still available alongside the emerging International commercialism.

Our leadership holds a lifetime commitment with a vision of hope for future generations. At present, we operate a well-established urban youth training and business incubation center. Having little guidance, rural youth gravitate toward universities and the urban experience. We encourage qualified adults in all fields to join us in mentoring youths toward reaching their hopes and dreams. Our community home office and learning center is located in Phnom Penh, while our long-term objective is to establish and build our rural campus and agricultural base. Our eco-village campus concept has a mission to reach, teach and prepare youths to accept challenging opportunities for creating a sustainable future in both agriculture and technology.

Due to recent wars, genocide, and famine, Cambodia is known throughout the world to have a notorious image. Nearly all worries and concerns outsiders have today are exaggerated and unfounded. Long-time residents know Cambodia is a safe and an extremely friendly country where foreigners are treated with dignity and respect.

Visiting participants at SmallWorld pay their own expenses while we assist with cultural orientation and lifestyle transition. Living expenses in Cambodia start as low as 500 USD per month.

A service of the Data Commons Co-op. The project has been supported by Equal Exchange, the Cooperative Charitable Trust, the USDA, and many others - thank you! Tech volunteers over the years include: Benjamin Bradley with support from GAIA Host. Ben Mauer with support from Quilted. Paul Fitzpatrick. Ronin Tech Collective, Brattleboro Tech Collective, Sligo Computer Services. Jason Lemieux. Default map tiles courtesy of MapQuest. Default map data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA.