Siem Reap Covid-19 Foodbank Support

What's going on?
People all over the world are hurting and struggling due to the impact of Covid-19, not just on their health, but on the economic impact of this crisis.  Here in Siem Reap, I have seen first hand that the financial devastation has been huge, exacerbated by the fact that the majority of the economy here relies on income from tourism, which pretty much dried up in January/February.  Hundreds of closed businesses, thousands of lost jobs, and many individuals and families left without income, and without access to regular meals and resources.  In addition, with the closure of schools including NGO schools, many children are also missing out on essential provision of food and nutrition during this time.

How can we help?
Through my online quiz nights, and other challenges throughout this time (yes, I will take suggestions!), I am attempting to raise some money to help initiatives which are doing all they can to continue to help families during this crisis. And I really appreciate your donations and contributions. If you have been attending a quiz: thank you. If you have 'bought' a quiz to use with others: thank you. If you just felt like making a donation: thank you. (Suggested donation for quiz participation is £1 per quiz, but I'll leave it up to you - remember a little goes a long way in this country, so every small donation helps!)

The good news is all money raised from this project will go directly to those who need it, as Crowdfunder is offering fee-free fundraising during the Covid crisis to help those in need.

Who are we helping?
Through my links with the newly-founded Siem Reap Covid-19 Business Safety Net, and their commitment to helping small businesses survive this crisis, one of the projects I am raising money for right now is Genevive's Fair Trade Village. This is a small social business which (usually) provides a fair-trade environment in which disabled local artisans and craftspeople are able to make and sell their products in the retail shop, enabling them to set fair prices for their work, and earning a sustainable income for themselves and their families. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, the shop has had to close, and as such the usual sellers here are receiving no income at all from selling their products as they normally would. However, in response, and to ensure the sellers and their families survive this pandemic, Genevieve's Fair Trade Village has initiated an urgent response which includes a food bank currently distributing family packs of food, soap and other essentials to families in need. An estimated cost of $30 provides a family with an essentials pack for one month, plus pays for the employment of tuk tuk drivers (again who would normally make income from the tourist trade), who will be employed to deliver these resources to the villages. You can read more about Genevieve's and their 'Hang on, you're not alone!' Covid response initiative here https://www.gftv-sr.org/covid-19.html  Here, as well as in the cover image on this page, you can find an estimated cost breakdown of the items sent out in the family packages, if you wish to pair your donation (or cumulative contributions over a number of weeks) to an item or group of items.  

I am also raising funds to support ABCs and Rice - an NGO school which provides free education, nutrition and healthcare to around 200 families from villages close to Siem Reap.  While the schools are closed due to Covid-19, children who attend ABCs and Rice are unable to receive the daily meals they usually get as part of their regular school day.  ABCs and Rice are ensuring these families continue to receive adequate nutrition by providing food packs and collection from the school (in a safe way) for 80+ families, 3 times per week.  Money raised will be used to purchase rice, vegetables, eggs and fish, as well as things like soap and hand sanitiser to ensure these families have what they need to survive this crisis.  You can read more about ABCs and Rice, as well as seeing their regular updates on how money you have donated is helping, by following their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ABCsandRice/

Thank you so very much for your support and I hope you are enjoying the quizzes and the bit of entertainment they bring while we have had to adjust our social lives somewhat.  If you keep playing, I will keep making them!  Any and all donations in return are appreciated more than you could know.