Vocational School for Disadvantaged Youth

KHMER HANDS SCHOOL – CAMBODIA

Impact A Village was proud to support the Khmer Hands School of Art and Hospitality. This school a uniquely modeled, self-sustaining vocational training school designed to give Cambodia’s large population of impoverished and at-risk youth as well as single mothers the job and life skills needed for a secure future. The design educates students, restores cultural arts, attracts guests, generates revenue to support the project/school, and works to improve the community. Kris Warner and his wife Naome developed and run the Khmer Hands School.

The Khmer Hands school is located in Kep, Cambodia an extremely poor province, but one that is rapidly redeveloping as a tourist destination. Rather than pull students away from home, the school is bringing hospitality and arts training to the youth, allowing them to stay with the security of family, and ultimately be a significant part of helping to rebuild their community. Students complete their studies in 18 months allowing for additional students to enter the school and as funds grow the school and student body will grow. The province of Kep literally has thousands of kids who could benefit from this training.

With the support of Impact A Village, the Khmer Hands School was recently able to build four new guest bungalows, buy three new sewing machines and hire a full-time sewing instructor. Khmer Hands also established permaculture gardens, which are providing fresh vegetables for their restaurant.

Since 2009, Impact A Village has supported projects that improve education and healthcare in communities around the world. In December 2023, Impact A Village ceased operations and is no longer accepting donations or making grants. Thank you for your support over the years.

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Photos of the Khmer Hands School

  • A man kneeling down next to a wooden box.
  • Two men working in a garden with plants.
  • A woman sitting on the ground in front of a tree.
  • A woman standing in the middle of some plants
  • A group of people sitting at tables in a room.
  • A group of people sitting at tables in front of windows.
  • A man holding a child in his arms.
  • A woman sitting at a table with a laptop.
  • A woman sitting at a sewing machine with a bag.
  • Three people standing in a yard with trees
  • A woman holding up some fabric in front of a wall
  • A group of people standing in a kitchen.
  • A group of people standing in front of a stone house.
  • A man and woman sitting on steps near some trees.
  • Three people standing in a dirt field next to trees.
  • A row of bags hanging on the wall.
  • Two bags are sitting on a table.
  • A woman sewing fabric on a table.
  • A sign that says handcraft shop on it.
  • A row of bags with towels hanging on them.
  • A black bag with silver circles on it
  • A red and white checkered bag sitting on top of a table.
  • A woman standing next to a rack of dresses.
  • A family posing for the camera on a dirt road.

More Photos: building a structure, working in garden, kids learning, cooking, sewing, repairing

  • Two young boys sitting at a table playing a game.
  • A young boy holding onto a hose to water plants.
  • A bunch of tools are laying on the floor
  • A group of children sitting in front of an adult.
  • A group of people sitting at blue tables.
  • A group of children sitting on the floor
  • A group of young boys sitting at a table writing.
  • A group of children sitting at a table with food.
  • A group of people sitting at tables in a restaurant.
  • A basket of fruit and some other food
  • A man in blue shirt and hat standing on concrete.
  • A person building a brick wall in the yard.
  • A young man wearing a mask standing in front of a house.
  • A man in a helmet standing outside of a house.
  • A small house with a roof made of rocks.
  • A man working on the roof of a house.
  • A person using a power tool to build a structure.
  • A bar with two stools and a counter