Cambodian NGO the Shinta Mani Foundation is dedicated to supporting local communities by providing vital services, developing schemes to increase human capital, and equipping them with the tools to overcome the constraints of poverty. Most recently the Foundation - funded in part by revenue from Shinta Mani hotels together with donations - partnered with Global Dental Relief to bring a group of 16 dentists and volunteers to Shinta Mani Shack, in order to conduct free dental check-ups at local schools for underprivileged students.

Partnering with brands such as Global Dental Relief and Husk Cambodia means that the Shinta Mani Foundation can create wide reaching, meaningful change. Recently the three charities came together and ran an extensive dental clinic for disadvantaged students in Siem Reap. Working in the Pouk district, five dentists, two hygienists, seven general volunteers and two GDR staff visited the Knat, Umpel and Don Chrum Primary Schools. In total the clinic saw 823 students, providing a care package worth over US $210,000. This is part of a wider scheme by the Foundation to provide free dental check-ups every 2 years. Dedication to education combined with preventative measures is yielding significant reductions in tooth decay and gum disease amongst recipients. The Foundation will welcome back Global Dental Relief in November 2017 to complete more essential health checks in further local schools.Partnering with brands such as Global Dental Relief and Husk Cambodia means that the Shinta Mani Foundation can create wide reaching, meaningful change. Recently the three charities came together and ran an extensive dental clinic for disadvantaged students in Siem Reap. Working in the Pouk district, five dentists, two hygienists, seven general volunteers and two GDR staff visited the Knat, Umpel and Don Chrum Primary Schools. In total the clinic saw 823 students, providing a care package worth over US $210,000. This is part of a wider scheme by the Foundation to provide free dental check-ups every 2 years. Dedication to education combined with preventative measures is yielding significant reductions in tooth decay and gum disease amongst recipients. The Foundation will welcome back Global Dental Relief in November 2017 to complete more essential health checks in further local schools.

Projects such as this are carried out alongside the Shinta Mani Foundation's ongoing, fundamental work, which centres around the Shinta Mani School of Hospitality. The Hospitality school takes in a carefully chosen group of underprivileged locals yearly and provides them with the knowledge, skills and 'on the job' experience, enabling them to gain a job in Siem Reap's booming hospitality sector. These are opportunities which would have never been available to the individuals if it weren't for the Foundation. 

Aiming to be a leader in responsible tourism, the Foundation's mission is the enrichment and empowerment of the people of Cambodia. Executive Director Brad Akins says “The only way to positively impact Cambodia is by giving each individual the power to realize their own dreams. The Shinta Mani Foundation is much more than Shinta Mani's corporate social responsibility program; the Shinta Mani brand wouldn't exist without the Foundation, as it was the Shinta Mani School of Hospitality that first created a need for the hotel. Through extensive community development programmes targeting rural families identified as being most in need, we are able to make meaningful progress. The model of blending non-profit work with the hotel's award-winning for-profit operations is a successful one, which we can only hope will inspire other brands to increase their impact in their localities”. The results speak for themselves.

Shinta Mani Foundation's impact on local communities between 2004 and 2017:• 1,400 water wells built • 8,123 medical visits completed • 641 bicycles donated • 229 Khmer students have graduated from the Shinta Mani School of Hospitality and are now fully employed in the immediate township and local countryside• 99 homes constructed• 59 small business loans provided

Guest Participation – Make a Difference

A percentage of all guests' daily room rate is donated by Shinta Mani hotels to the non-profit Shinta Mani Foundation and during their stay guests have the opportunity to meet some of the graduates of the Shinta Mani School of Hospitality who are employed at Shinta Mani Angkor. 

Those looking to get involved can visit and volunteer with SMF during their stay in Siem Reap or book Shinta Mani's  'Open Doors, Open Hearts' package which enables guests to visit the local villages and see some the work the Foundation carries out. Guests can contribute to the education of a student in the hospitality training school and help start a career for a disadvantaged youth or make a difference with a water well donated in their name.  The package also includes highlights such as a half day tour of the unique floating village, an ox cart ride and a 90 minute spa treatment at Shinta Mani Spa.  It will be a trip to remember and one that makes an on-going difference and keeps giving for years to come. Rates start from £929++ per couple, excluding tax and service.  Additional nights are available at best available rates.  For further information on

Rates start from £929++ per couple, excluding tax and service.  Additional nights are available at best available rates.  For further information on package inclusions see 'Notes to Editors' section below.

For more information and hotel reservations, please contact Shinta Mani Hotels on +855 63 761 998, book@shintamani.com or at www.shintamani.com / Shinta Mani Foundation on +855 63 968 585, smf@shintamani.com, or at www.shintamanifoundation.org/

-Ends-

For press information or to discuss feature ideas and press trips please contact: Kerry Skinner Kerry@bacall.net, Nat Frogley Nat@bacall.net or Flora Gandolfo flora@bacall.net, tel: +44 (0) 8704 288 401 or visit Bacall Associates

Notes to editors: The 'Open Doors, Open Hearts' Package includes the following:• Private

The 'Open Doors, Open Hearts' Package includes the following:• Private

• Private round trip airport transfers• Fast Track Immigration on arrival • 3 night's accommodation in Deluxe Room at Shinta Mani Angkor • Sumptuous daily à la carte breakfast for two adults• A private tour to visit a local village and a  water well, donated under your name (available for booking time at least one month ahead, for bookings within that time period we will send a photo of your donated water well donation later). The village visit is led by Shinta Mani Foundation team members.  The return journey includes a visit to the landmine museum• Half day tour to the floating village with Ox cart riding • A visit to the iconic Phare Cambodian Acrobatic Circus • An authentic Khmer cuisine dinner at Kroya (Chef's recommended menu featuring fresh seasonal tropical season ingredients) with a bottle of house wine  • A dinner at Hotrod Restaurant in the bustling Night Market area, serving authentic Thai cuisine with free flow beer and non-alcoholic drinks for 2 hours • A 90 minute spa treatment of your choice at Shinta Mani Spa • Early check in and late check-out (subject to availability)• Farewell Gift