A big heart for children

again and again on Saturdays state Beat Richner on the stage of Jayavarman Siem Reap, a building next to the Kantha Bopha hospitals. With his Cello, he led the audience in the big auditorium through the Depths and heights of a children's doctor of the soul. Richner played with a passion, until he was soaking wet, and spoke in fury, especially if he was something crawled out of the liver.

Like Richner also introduced a Film, Jean Rey, the then Swiss Minister, Micheline Calmy outside-during a visit to one of his five children hospitals in Cambodia. The social Democrat, otherwise not just to words, had, on this occasion, little Chance to Express themselves. Richner was 6. Do not stop in February 2007. He talked incessantly on the Magistratin.

About Swiss info, the official information platform of the Federal government, the foreign Minister then but a short word. "My presence and our financial support, demonstrate our appreciation for their work," said Richner. The Vaunted countered by return of post: "These words pleased me," he said. However, he wishes for a higher contribution of the Federal government, namely, about 7.5 million Swiss francs.

The first Stupa on public land

Twelve years and seven months later, on 9. September 2019, marks the anniversary of the death of the Swiss doctor for the first Time. The administrative Director of the hospitals, Denis Laurent, expected on this day, 300 Buddhist monks to a ceremony. The weather is hazy, sometimes it rains, then the monsoon wind whistles through the large hospital complex is the second largest city in the North of Cambodia.

for 23 years studied by the biologist on the side Richners was active. In a white shirt and black pants, he scurries to the well one Meter high image is next to a Stupa. Here are the mortal Remains of the in Cambodia, almost as a God revered doctor to rest. It is at the behest of king Norodom Sihamoni, the first tomb, which stands on public land. In the Background, passers-by pass by.

The tinny Rattle of Tuk ride Tuks to listen to the tourists in the few kilometers away, the archaeological Park of Angkor. The time of the concerts is over, visits are only on request on the hospital grounds possible.

High Standards, simple ways: A patient transport in the Kantha Bopha hospitals, Siem Reap. Photo: Kurt Tschan

Richners request, the Confederation may increase its financial support drastically, is not fulfilled. In 2017, Switzerland transferred unchanged from $ 4 million to his Foundation. To 43.5 million dollars, the annual Budget has grown for the operation of the five hospitals in the two main cities Siem Reap and Phnom Penh now.

half of The money comes from Switzerland, a third of Cambodia. The Foundation is now so well prepared that you could get up to four years without new donations, confirmed Laurent. "But I hope that we never need to draw on our reserves," he says. In fact, the revenue for Richners death has slightly declined.

With 250 or more employees Smiling Gecko has only a tenth of the staff of Kantha Bopha, and is also not in the two major centres of the country, but far away in a rural area, where the best access road, natural, and full of holes. The Farm is located 80 kilometres North-West of the capital Phnom Penh, surrounded by rice fields and green hills.

The focus is on the needy

unlike in the children's hospitals, tourists are strongly encouraged. Comfortable guest accommodations and an ambitious gastro concept make the visit even a special experience in the area of agro-tourism. Various tour operators such as travel house or the Globetrotters will conduct a regularly, up to two - day tours. The principle that all, whether rich or poor, are to benefit from the zero tariff of humanitarian aid, does not apply here. The focus is clearly on the needy, such as families from the Slums of Phnom Penh, find a house and work.

On the 150-hectare Area in the Northern province of Kampong Chhnang are bred pigs, chickens and fish. There is vegetable-growing, hospitality and catering. The Foundation buys the farmers products at fair prices, such as Neon Sokleap, one of the close associates of the Foundation's founder, Hannes Schmid says. "Some can afford a motorcycle." Only two families have failed, a hundred more are on a waiting list. "The beginning was tough," recalls Sokleap.

"We planted, the drought made things broken again," he says. Groundwater was only found after several attempts in a depth of 120 meters. It is about 30 degrees Celsius was too warm. Therefore, the property had to be landscaped to the water to cool off.

"terms have The families that a child who earned good later, can bring the whole family."

in the Meantime, Smiling is a Gecko – named after the lizards, which belong to the oldest animals in the world – to become an agricultural model business, also thanks to the support of Swiss universities and universities of applied Sciences. Experts to test what grows best. Recently, an experiment with vanilla-orchids, which were imported from Switzerland. "This growing program consumes 200'000 dollars," says Sokleap.

The heart of the Smiling Gecko, however, is in the neighboring school. Over 300 children from the area are taught here. The school's principal, Barbara Beaufait looks on the children as they come out of the shower. The teachers comb your hair, trim the finger nails. Every day you can get freshly laundered clothes. "They are the only dresses that have the children," she says. The Kids also sleep in it.

Daily 2000 meals for hungry mouths

chef Andreas Kaufmann (35) with a Sous-Chef Leapheng (24) in the kitchen. The native of Innsbruck is for five months here, and with what he has achieved, quite satisfied. "The nice thing is that the Khmer want to learn," he says. To start with, you how to clean a kitchen from top to bottom. 2000 food a day leaving the kitchen. A merchant sets a high value on balanced diet. In the meantime, he has opened in the capital two shops with specialties from the kitchen of Smiling Gecko. Online shops should follow.

5000 NGOs in Cambodia. "However, only one third is active," says Sokleap. It was just like being at a Start-up company. A good idea would be sufficient for Survival, not always. Barbara Beaufait therefore takes a different approach. Since this school year is required on the part of parents, an annual school fee of $ 60. "87 percent have without hesitation paid for," she says. Especially to the women work during the day in large textile factories for little money. "The families have to understand that a child who earned good later, can bring the whole family," she says.

This travel was supported by travel house, www.travelhouse.ch

Created: 31.10.2019, 18:12 PM