Angkor Wat International Half-Marathon

December 2012

In the early hours of a Sunday morning, Team TCRP tumbled out of bed and up to the doorstep of the largest Hindu temple complex in the world, ready to run to push their limits for a good cause.

Field Notes

The sun rose over Angkor Wat as the runners took off from the start line, beside centuries old lakes and trees, over bridges and under arches, and past seemingly endless lines of local children calling out for a sweaty high five. Less than 3 hours later, all the catalysts had crossed the finish line to rousing cheers and hard-earned congratulations.

22 Catalysts completed the half marathon, 9 finished the10km challenge and 2 took part in the 3km fun run. A number of catalysts who couldn’t compete that day still pulled their weight, helping in any way they could and acting as cheerleaders to the runners.

The goal of the run was to raise SGD$50,000 for the Sala Bai Hotel School – almost two months’ operating budget for the school.

Trip Impact

Sala Bai Hotel School

Training School for Disadvantaged Youths

Cambodia

Country

38

Catalysts

80

Lives impacted

$50,000

Funds Raised

Sala Bai is a Hotel and Restaurant School created by the French NGO Agir pour le Cambodge in October 2002. Each year the school trains – free of charge – about 100 young disadvantaged Cambodians. During the 12-month training program, the school covers all the training fees (lessons, school supplies, books, uniforms), and daily expenses (accommodation, food, bicycle, insurance and medical expenses) for the students.

In nine years of operation, 803 Sala Bai students have been trained for careers in the growing hospitality industry, enabling them to achieve economic independence and improve the living conditions of their families.100% have obtained jobs in the local hospitality industry earning on average 3 times the household income of their families.

The TCRP 2012 initiative raised over SGD$50,000 for the Sala Bai Hotel School.

Catalysts

Alexandra Toh
Jasmine Wong
Zhang Tingjun
Aidan Reynolds
Angel Chan
Avery Teo
Aziz Elbakush
Benedict Wong
Blossom Hing
Camille Chow
Canan Reynolds
Charlotte Hsu
Christina Liew
Elizabeth Chen
Elizabeth Tan
Graham Hitchmough
John Gordon
Lai Choi Kuen
Lim Wei Ming
Loeung Dean
Mellisa Chong
Michael Tay
Michelle Chan
Mrinalini Venkatachalam
Nicholas Fang
Nicholas Reynolds
Pravin Rajwani
Sam McGoun
Seeto Hui-E
Shujun Zhang
Siena Reynolds
Sim Moh Chean
Yap Yien Li
Yip Wei Yen

Crew

Edwin Lee (Video Production)
Jeff Rey Floro (Video Production)
Yian Huang (Photography)
Teo Pok Zin (Photography)

" For me, the best part of going to Siem Reap with TCRP was about being part of a movement and a team, one that transforms you. It was about understanding that progress and healing are possible. It was seeing first hand that even in a place with such a heartbreaking history, there is still enormous beauty and human spirit. I look forward to many more of these TCRP adventures; to discover more places and give back as much of myself as I can, to challenge myself athletically, and to meet future generations of Catalysts. "

TCRP Catalyst, Christina Liew recounts her experience at Sala Bai and at the 17th Angkor Wat Half-Marathon

Supported By

Touch Sala Bai
Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa
2XU
Eco Adventures
Kinetik Edge
Bravo Company
Rightbrain Pte Ltd
Flint and Battery
Ardent