Background to Addventure VSA

The concept for the volunteer tourism project that became Addventure VSA, was developed by Gecko Trails. Gecko Trails is a New Zealand owned small group tour company established in 2001 to offer interpretive and sustainable tourism experiences in Southeast Asia.

Jennie and Roger Wilson, of Gecko Trails, are former VSA volunteers who spent four years in Cambodia - based in Takeo for two of those years working on education and rural development. Rachel Sanson and Scott Burnett, of Gecko Trails, have a background in educational and sustainable tourism, having run experiential education programs for university students since 1998, combining experiential learning and university course work with an international travel/study experience.

Since 2001 Gecko Trails has been taking groups to homestay in the Takeo region, to visit local schools, donate books and practice English with high school students (English is a compulsory subject but students rarely get the opportunity to practice with native English speakers).

The deputy principal of Kla Krohim School, Mr Mach Meas, approached Gecko Trails for assistance in establishing a library and reading centre. Because of the long history VSA and Gecko Trails have in the region this seemed like an ideal first project for the Addventure.

Kla Krohim School was built in the early 1970’s and most of the buildings are now at the point of collapse. During strong winds, classrooms are evacuated in case they blow over. Cambodia is a very poor country and the Education Ministry lacks funds for school maintenance. School buildings are generally funded by international donors. However there is not enough aid money to keep up with population growth and maintenance of existing buildings. The school recently received a bequest, enabling them to build one classroom block and a small library. The library (pictured) is designed to be a secure storage facility for books but is too small for students to read in. The Addventurers will be assisting the school community to build a reading centre in front of the library, and to further establish the library itself (books, systems etc).

Gecko Trails has always incorporated volunteer components into its tours because we believe it is important to bridge the gap between visitors and local people, to create win-win experiences for both our clients and host communities. The concept of the Addventure (combining travel in the host country prior to a collaborative project) enables participants to gain an understanding of life in Cambodia, to develop empathy for the community being assisted, and through shared experience, to develop bonds between the Addventurers.

Gecko Trails presented the Addventure concept to VSA and it was approved by the VSA board in late 2005. ‘Addventure VSA – Cambodia 2006’ is the inaugural project and a partnership between VSA and Gecko Trails. We hope it will be the first of many.

We look forward to Addventure VSA being a great opportunity for people to gain insight into VSA, the life of VSA volunteers, and the projects VSA undertakes; that it will build bridges of friendship and understanding between the Addventurers and their host communities; and that Addventurers will continue to take an interest in their host communities after their return.

The Gecko Trails team is volunteering all their time on the project (beforehand and whilst in Cambodia), a donation of approximately $10,000 dollars.