Billed as the greatest architectural feat of the Angkor kingdom, the Angkor Wat remains until today as the largest religious monument in the world. Built between early to mid 12th century, it was the last of the massive temple structures ever built by the ancient Khmers. With the colonisation of the kingdom, it felt to disrepair and neglected.

Despite that, Angkor Wat was never forgotten but remains as a symbol of pride, determination and soul of the Khmers. Even through the dark days of the Khmer Rouge regime (1975-1979) and the subjugation of the Khmers by the occupational forces of the Vietnamese (1979-1989), which brought immense hardship and poverty to the Cambodian people, Angkor Wat remains a strongly held symbol of strength by the Khmers.

According to World Food Programme, people are poor if they do not have adequate resources to buy all the commodities that they need in living beyond the poverty line. The Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2004 reveals that the total poverty line in 2004 was estimated at 2351 Riel (US$ 0.59) in Phnom Penh, 1952 Riel (US$ 0.49) in other urban areas and 1753 Riel (US$ 0.44) in rural areas. At this rate, it is discouraging to learn that in Siem Reap province, a large province in Cambodia (equivalent to 14½ times the size of Singapore), more than 50% of its population are still living below a daily consumption rate of US$0.44.

Each year millions of overseas visitors are drawn to the temples of Angkor. Some came mainly to admire its temples but there is a special group of people who came to learn and selflessly volunteer their time, money and efforts in the rural village schools and orphanages. Many have come and gone home with memorable experience. But the cause remains noble. And it is with this noble cause that influenced the founding of Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation to help sustain learning for the young while improving of the quality of lives of the people of Cambodia, especially in Siem Reap.

Amongst the ruins from the glorious days of Angkor, the people of Cambodia today are working hard to rebuild their lives. Today the symbol of Angkor Wat appears on the nation's flag and everywhere you look when visiting Cambodia especially in Siem Reap, you will never fail to find the omnipresence of its temple towers representing the 5 peaks of Mt Meru.

With the growing tourism industry, Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation has helped many volunteer groups embarking on meaningful learning journeys and helping the communities. Learning Journeys (Cambodia) Foundation works with a selected pool of committed tourism partners who ensure volunteers' welfare is well taken care of while maintains its role as a non-political, non-religious social enterprise managed by a team of passionate Khmers where profit is re-invested to the communities.

We look forward to welcoming you to Cambodia and embark on a meaningful Journey in Life with us.