A Café for the Community
Activity: The Singing Tree cafe
Location: Siem Reap
Tip: This is one of the most child-friendly places in Siem Reap, thanks to a large, enclosed garden.
Retreat to a lush garden café serving tasty vegetarian creations that acts as a focus for environmental and community awareness in Siem Reap.
A friendly retreat
The experience: The Singing Tree Café is a delightful garden café situated just a short stroll from the centre of Siem Reap. The café management aims to promote responsible tourism, social ecology and foster community spirit. The menu is mostly vegetarian (with some fish and a little seafood) and offers a selection of Khmer home-cooking, as well as salads, home baked bread and grilled sandwiches. The drinks selection includes smoothies, juices and shakes, as well as creative teas and coffees. Free wi-fi access is available for all customers and there is an additional free computer for those without a laptop.
Opened in 2005, the café houses a Fair Trade shop and promotes information on environmental awareness and social issues in and around Siem Reap. The upstairs community space has a library of quality DVDs, including movies on Khmer history, religion and an extensive collection of art, children’s and alternative movies. Lectures and presentations on environmental issues complement the regular schedule of yoga and meditation practice.
A family cafe away from the busy streets
How it helps: The Singing Tree supports the environment in several ways. The café hosts display boards with environmental information concerning the forest and wildlife situation in Cambodia. There are regular presentations by organizations and individuals who work in these areas. Presentations to date include the subjects of wildlife preservation, water filters and solar power. The café sells fresh and healthy, organic vegetarian and vegan food.
The Singing Tree also supports disadvantaged people in a number of ways. The café is an active fund-raiser for two projects, The Green Gecko Project for street children and Osmose Water Hyacinth Handicraft Products for the women of Prek Toal. This is done by facilitating community workshops and classes where the fees are donated to the projects. The café’s information boards help to raise funds for the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity, Osmose, The Green Gecko Project and the Trailblazer Foundation.
The small shop at the café displays and promotes Fair Trade products from four different sources: Rehab Craft Cambodia, Silk Lab Handmade Accessories, the Osmose Water Hyacinth Project, and the Buddhist Association shop in Thailand.
The Singing Tree also hosts scheduled performances by the Angkor Association for the Disabled Dance Troupe, as well as shadow theatre performances by the children of Wat Pre Sé Ar.
To get there, it’s a three minutes’ walk from the Old Market and Pub Street (Psar Chas). Cross the river at the bridge. Turn left and walk along the river. Turn right into the second lane. Enter the green and yellow gate.
Location and contact information
PO Box 93247, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Tel: (+855) [0] 12 965 500
E-mail: info@singingtreecafe.com
Web: www.singingtreecafe.com
Map: Marker indicates approximate location of café
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