Site Information Ta Keo Province Ta Keo is located in the southwest of Cambodia, Takeo borders the provinces of Kampot to the west, Kampong Speu to the northwest and Kandal to the north and east. Its southern boundary is the international border with Vietnam. The provincial capital is also named Takéo. Takeo province is often referred to as the cradle of Cambodian civilization Takeo province has several important pre-angkorian sites built between the 5th and the 8th century. The provincial capital, Takeo town is an easygoing place that possesses a fair amount of natural and manmade beauty. The natural beauty is in the Scenic River and lake area that faces a pleasant town parkway. The low-lying area seems to include much of the surrounding province, which is probably why a
kingdom that once had its heart here was referred to as Water Chenla. There seems to be water everywhere in the surrounding countryside during the rainy season. The man-made beauty mostly comes from a series of canals and waterways that were cut through the surrounding countryside, many a very long time ago, connecting towns, villages, rivers and Vietnam. Brief information: Takeo covers 3563 square kilometers. It consists of 10 districts, 100 communes and 1116 villages. Daun Keo City : 3 Communes, 40 Villages Tram Kak District : 15 Communes, 242 Villages Kirivong District : 12 Communes, 114 Villages Angkor Borei District : 6 Communes, 34 Villages Prey Kabas District : 13 Communes, 110 Villages Sam Rong District : 11 Communes, 147 Villages Bati District : 15 Communes, 168 Villages Triang Diastrict : 14 Communes, 154 Villages Koh Andet District : 6 Communes, 68 Villages Borei Chulsar District : 5 Communes, 39 Villages Habitat Cambodia works in partnership with World Vision Cambodia in Takeo province: Habitat for humanity Cambodia has partnered with World Vision Cambodia to focus on supporting 2 districts, Bati and Kirivong. World Vision Cambodia is responsible in selecting the family and identifying the villages within their project areas. Habitat for Humanity Cambodia is responsible for providing housing support service through building and development of house designs suitable to families living in the target areas. Criteria of selecting family: Neediest families living under substandard housing condition within Bati and Kirivong. In cooperation with local authorities, the ID Poor is used as reference in selection Families are required to have a least 3 children studying in school Families should have a 7-year commitment to live in the houses built for them; they cannot sell the house The family needs to have a free land for building the house
The families will need to contribute $100.00 for any ownership purpose Families with single parent Families with People with disabilities /HIV/Aids infected member Families should be willing to provide sweat equity How the family selection works: A local committee works with World Vision in identifying the neediest families After identify the family, the house design is discussed with the home partner World Vision and Habitat are engaging volunteers to support this project in order for families to cut-down or save on labor cost Habitat House in Takeo There are four sizes of Habitat houses. A Habitat house can occupy 4 x 8, 4x6, 4x7, and 5x9 meters of space and is approximately 4.5 meters high. The walls are made from fired brick with a reinforced concrete post. The house comprises of a living room, bedroom, and kitchen with a toilet.
Activities: House building Mixing mortar Brick lying Point wall joints and cleaning walls Compacting soil with stone Cutting Brick Carrying the brick
Planning a trip to Ta Keo: All volunteers will need to arrive at Phnom Penh International airport. We have only one way to Ta Keo from Phnom Penh by land on a bus or van. It will take around 1.5 to 2-hour drive from airport to Ta Keo province. From Ta Keo to Bati Build site, it will take around 30 minutes and to Kirivong, it will take around 1 hour and 5 minutes. Sample schedule: Time/Date Day01 Day02 Day03 Day04 Day05 Day06 Day07 Day08 07:30-8:15 Leave Hotel 08:15-9:00 Arrive build site & orientation 09:00-10:30 Work Arrival 10:30-10:45 Break 10:45-12:00 Work 12:00-1:00 Lunch 01:00-02:45 Travel to Ta Keo Work 02:45-03:00 Break 03:00-04:15 Work House dedication R&R R&R Departure 04:15-04:30 05:00-19:30 Welcome party Clean up site Recommendation : Day1 to start on a Sunday
What to expect: Expectations Accommodation Food R&R Tasks for Volunteers An extra Night time options Hotel: Hot and cold water, internet, air conditioning, tea and coffee maker in room-depend on some hotel Guest house: some do not have hot and cold water, internet within the room service, the room design is very basic Mainly local food with much option of fish and red meats also able to get vegetarian food. Limited options for Western foods. There are a number of options for R&R as the build sites are located in quiet and calm atmosphere, which are usually preferred groups. Please see the detailed recommendation of places for R&R below. Building of core house: foundation, lay brick, brick removal, digging of hole for foundation, toilets construction etc., compacting soil with stone, point wall joints and cleaning of walls. Volunteers can experience harvesting rice, cycling tours, school visits, exchange experiences with University students and participate in Hygiene events There is not much options of activities at night in Takeo We required all volunteer to be back at hotel at 11pm (or depending on the advice of respective sending countries). The town is quite at night. There are some local bars, but are not recommended. HFHC do not recommend homestays. This is a special project supporting the low-income families in need of free housing program. Why Ta Keo? The site offers volunteers to real Cambodian countryside experience. Ta Keo s laid back atmosphere promises you with a sincere relaxing and peaceful experience. Expect a great welcome from our community especially our home partners.
R&R Options: Places Description Price Tonle Bati Phnom Ta Mao Phnom Chiso Tonle Bati is a popular lake and picnic area that has bamboo shacks built out over the water that people can rent out for eating and whiling away the day. It s generally a weekend get-away spot, which means it s nice and quiet during the week. Locals swim there, but the water does not look real inviting. There are all kinds of food and drink stands that sell everything you need for a picnic along the lake. Note that there are tours that follow you when you arrive on weekends and try to get you to go to their own place. It s best to pass right by them and find a spot on your own. Check prices beforehand on everything. They are famous for handing you an outrageously high bill when you depart. Tonle Bati is a place of worship and features two ancient temples, Ta Promh and Yeay Peov, and a pagoda, Wat Tonle Bati, which was built in 1576. Phnom Ta Mao (Zoo) is located in Tro Pang Sap village, Tro Pang Sap commune, Ba Ti District, Takeo province. Phnom Ta Mao is a varied site consisting of temples, mountain, nature and a big zoo in Cambodia. Phnom Ta Mao has 2,500-hectar land area called forest-protected area; in this area, the Department of Forestry has taken 1,200-hectar land area for planning trees and 70-hectar land area for organizing zoo. Attractive activity: There is an elephant show every weekend Phnom Chiso is a historical site located in Sia village, Rovieng commune, Samrong district, about 62 kilometers south of Phnom Penh or 27 kilometers north of Takeo provincial town. Phnom Chiso is 13O-meter-high mountain. Phnom Chiso temple was built in the early 11th century by King Suryavarman I (AD 1002-1050), who practiced Brahmanism. Constructed of sandstone and other stones, it is 60 meters long and 50 meters wide and sits atop a mountain. The temple is surrounded by two galleries. The first gallery is 60 meters long on each side. The second, Entry fee: $2 per Food: $8-10 per Entry fee: $2 per Food:$8-10 per Entry fee: $2 per Food:$8-10 per
Phnom Penh City tour Angkor Wat Temple Kep City smaller gallery, is in the middle, where there is the main worship place with two doors and a wooden statue. There are beautiful sculptures on the lintel and the pillars. Phnom Chiso Pagoda was built in 1917, destroyed by war during the 1970s and rebuilt in 1979. Behind it is a hall called Thammasaphea, kof and a worship place. There is an ancient water tank made of concrete. People usually climb the staircase on the west side of the mountain, which has 390 steps and descend by the south side staircase, which has 408 steps. Another set of stairs in front of the temple links the temple to Sen Chhmos temple, Sen Phouvang temple and Tonie Om, a lake considered sacred by Brahmans and used for washing away sins. A large rock yard nearby about 100 meters long and 80 meters was once the site of several other temples, but only parts of these temples remain standing. Travel back from Ta Keo to Phnom Penh and tour the Killing Fields, S21, Royal Palace, go on a river cruise, and many more Visit Siem Reap Province and see the Angkor Wat and its many ancient temples To do this, you need at least 3-4 days more in your trip itinerary. You can fly to Siem Reap from Phnom Penh International Airport to Siem Reap International Airport and fly direct from Siem Reap to Bangkok or Singapore. It will take you around 2-2.5 hours from Ta Keo Province to Kep City Kep is the coastal tourist city located southwest of Royal city of Phnom Penh. In Kep, tourist can enjoy a variety of tourist attractions such as natural mountains, evergreen tropical forest, mangroves, islands, sea grass coral reefs, pure sea air, beaches, and sea food. Fee for all: $6-8 Food:$10-15
Some photos of families daily work in Kirivong District
Some photos of community houses along the way to the Kirivong site Please come to Cambodia and join Habitat for Humanity in supporting families in Ta Keo. We aim to provide you a transformative experience as you build house, undertsand more about our communities and work alongside home partner famlies. We will plan your trip with you and support you. We looking forward to meeting you in. Habitat for Humanity Cambodia