Fundraising status

Target : €15,000

Raised : €25,000

In 2016 Women in Travel Retail (WiTR) raised more than €25,000 to build and equip two classrooms for children at the Sunrise Siem Reap orphanage in Cambodia, surpassing its €15,000 target.

The Sunrise Learning Centre caters for children from the poorest sectors of the Siem Reap community. Children are offered free classes in English, in the hope that skills learned at the school will help its students find work in the tourist city. The money was raised through the support of companies and individuals at WiTR’s lucky draw and silent auction TFWA World Exhibition. The event was supported by many brands and retailers, with cash donations from Heinemann Asia, Aer Rianta International, King Power Hong Kong Managing Director Sunil Tuli, Concourse Display Management, Circle Square, Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits amongst others.

The project was nominated by WiTR member and Lacoste Travel Retail Director Erin Lillis-Arrowsmith who said:

“I have been to Siem Reap many times and seen the amazing work that the learning centre does, but they desperately need more classrooms and equipment to meet the demand. Learning English is so important to help the children at the orphanage and in neighbouring villages break the cycle of poverty and to give them a future”