Giving Back

From the beginning, it has been essential to our owners that we truly connect with and make a positive impact on the communities we visit. This is especially important to us in the rural villages we visit in Cambodia along the Mekong River, where the gracious people live off the land and have had a profound and transformative impact on our Co-Founder and Executive Vice President Kristin Karst, as well as on every guest who joins us on our Mekong River itineraries.

AmaWaterways is the proud sponsor of the ODA Free Village English School in Siem Reap, Cambodia, established in 2011 in association with Opportunities of Development thru Art (ODA). Our financial support to the school brings critical English-language skills to local children of grammar-school age to help improve their lives and assist with subsequent employment opportunities.

We are extremely honored to participate in such a constructive and lasting project as this life-changing school. We encourage all of our guests to visit this remarkable part of the world along the Mekong River, known for its stunning temple complexes and the friendly people who live there.

Discover the Mekong

Our generous guests often ask if there is anything they can bring from home to donate to the ODA Free Village English School. There are more than 600 children enrolled in the school, so there are never enough books or educational materials to go around. If you are interested in making a contribution, we suggest:

• Writing Utensils: pencils with erasers, pink erasers, pens, jumbo felt tip pens, dry erase markets (and blue and red ink refills) and highlighters
• Paper: small notebooks and post-it notes
• Educational Toys/Games: building blocks, large threading beads, simple wooden jigsaw puzzles and UNO cards
• Books: laminated write-and-wipe books, exercise books and very simple storybooks with lots of pictures
• Art Supplies: paint
• Personal Hygiene Supplies: soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and mini tubes of toothpaste.