You can edit almost every page by Creating an account. Otherwise, see the FAQ.

Song Saa Foundation

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

Song Saa Foundation
Founded2005
FounderRory Hunter
HeadquartersHong Kong
Location
Area served
Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia
ProductsResorts, medical campaigns, ecological programmes and medical & educational supply
MethodsSustainable luxury eco-tourism with initiatives that grant locals medical, ecological and educational assistance.
FieldHospitality
Official language
English or Khmer
OwnerRory Hunter & Melita Hunter
Key people
Rory Hunter
(Co-Founder & CEO) Melita Hunter
(Co-Founder & Creative Director)
Websitewww.songsaa.com

$ This user, in accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, discloses that they have been paid by Song Saa Collective for their contributions to Wikipedia.


Introduction[edit]

The Song Saa Foundation is a Cambodia-based [1] not-for-profit organisation which contributes to philanthropic educational and medical endeavours for the local community in addition to ecological and sustainability programmes[2] [3]. These efforts are supported by the hospitality operations by Song Saa Collective’s resort and accommodation services at Song Saa Private Island on the Koh Rong Archipelagos of Cambodia.

The Song Saa Foundation was founded by Australian couple Melita & Rory Hunter in 2013.[4]

History[edit]

Prior to the establishment of the Song Saa Foundation, the Hunters had already commenced community and conservation projects in 2006 via Song Saa Collective’s operations. The Song Saa Marine Reserve was established in 2006 as the country’s first government-recognised private marine reserve[5], and a solid waste management (SWM) centre was developed along with a system that could be easily be utilised by locals[6]. In addition to the SWM, farming projects were introduced to the nearby village of Prek Svay[7].

These projects culminated into the creation of the Song Saa Foundation in 2013, which paved way for further projects on environmental protection, medical campaigns and cultural recognition[8]

Founders[edit]

Melita Hunter had her own organic design business before co-founding the Song Saa Foundation[9], where as an interior designer and stylist she specialised in the utilisation of organic and recycled materials for interiors, art installations, set design and events[10].

Rory Hunter worked for Saatchi & Saatchi and WPP as an advertising executive prior to the founding of Song Saa[11] . He was part of the guest speakers’ lineup at the 2014 Global Café Speakers event[12], a strand of the 2014 G20 summit meeting, where he delivered his experiences with Song Saa for the ‘Tourism’s New Frontiers’ panel[13]. Rory was also selected as a Young Global Leader for 2015 by the World Economic Forum in recognition of his efforts with the Song Saa Foundation and its commitment to preserving Cambodia’s natural and cultural heritage through innovative hotel development that utilised a sustainable model[14] .

Notable Partnerships and Projects[edit]

In September 2013, the Song Saa Foundation began a five year collaborative partnership with the International Medical Relief (IMR), an American medical outreach not-for-profit organisation, to implement health clinics across the archipelago each September[15] . The initial project received over 1,000 people acquiring medical attention in the span of five days, roughly over half of the archipelago’s population[16]. The IMR brings up to 1 million USD in medical supplies to the region, supported by 40 US based doctors annually[17].

Launched in 2014, the Journeys of Change program is funded by the proceeds of three four-night villa stays per month during May to October each year[18]. It acts as a philanthropic tour where participating guests are encouraged to take a grass-roots level of engagement with the resident conservationist team, for example, through guided forest tours[19]. Tourists in the Journeys of Change program are also invited to help monitor the health of marine life and interact with local communities through health and education initiatives[20]. The Journey groups are capped to 10 members to ensure a thorough experience with the local Khmer community[21].

Since 2014, The Ocean Foundation has recognised the Song Saa Foundation’s efforts for marine conservation[22] and has delivered funding to permit tax credits for any U.S. citizen donating to the Song Saa Foundation through the facility to entice U.S. citizens to contribute to future works[23].

In 2015, the Prince Albert of Monaco Foundation initiated supported for the marine surveys and conservational work of the Song Saa Foundation[24]. Prince Albert II personally visited the archipelago to observe the progress of the work and promised a grant to build a research and science lab[25] [26]. In 2016, the Song Saa Foundation joined the ‘Empowering Community Action for Seagrass Conservation in Southeast Asia: Seagrass Meadows Support Food Security’ project, where they were invited as a project partner and collaborator with Cardiff University (United Kingdom)[27].

On 16th June 2016 the Minister of MAFF signed a proclamation for the Marine Fisheries Agreement (MFMA), which declared a 405km2 protected zone surrounding the Koh Rong and Koh Rong Sanloem islands, where Song Saa Foundation made major contributions to the effort through consistent monitoring and provision of datasets[28].

In 2017 the Song Saa Foundation collaborated with local weavers and artisans to launch their ‘Ethical Fashion Collection, which comprised of textiles and ceramics representative of the local cultural designs[29].

In December 2017, the Song Saa Collective announced extensive plans to develop an eco-tourism city in the Banteay Srey district in Siem Reap, which is expected to attract foreign tourists and generate numerous jobs for locals[30]. The project had an initial investment of $3 million USD to purchase 400 hectares of land, which will be used to establish hotels, villas, schools, and religious centres to entice international visitors[31][32] and extend the works of Song Saa Foundation to this area.

Ongoing Activism[edit]

The Song Saa Foundation has worked with local schools to distribute critical school supplies such as reading and reference materials, flash cards, laminated wall charts, art supplies, educational toys, sports gear, clothing & shoes, first aid, office supplies and kitchen equipment to over 520 students[33]. In addition, Song Saa Foundation also works with over 800 people to provide basic medical attention to the five local villages surrounding the archipelago[34]. Called the Boat of Hope program[35] , teams of local expat doctors and visiting practitioners help to treat the locals and offer educational programmes[36] [37]. They are supplied with general and specialist medical equipment, surgical gear, testing kits, medications, specifically for children, reference materials, Hesperian health guides, linens, office supplies and support equipment[38].

The Song Saa Sea Turtle programme is delivered to the local adolescent population of the Koh Rong archipelago to maintain and improve eco-literacy, with the overall aim of teaching future generations knowledge of their environment and how change can affect them[39].

Song Saa Collective[edit]

The Song Saa Foundation is a part of Song Saa Collective, a group of enterprises encompassing hospitality, social activism, property development and renewable energy founded in 2005. They operate the Song Saa Private Island, which opened in March 2012 as Cambodia’s first luxury coastal resort [40], with the goal of providing a modern experience that draws on local designs whilst contributing to the welfare of the region’s environment and community[41].

Construction of the Song Saa Private Island began in 2008, which would be Cambodia’s first luxury coastal resort in the Koh Rong Archipelago[42]. During the construction period at Song Saa Private Island, expert conservationists from James Cook University, Australia were hired for consultancy work on measures to safeguard local marine life[43].

Designs of the Song Saa Private Island resort were inspired by the Cambodian coastline and its culture, and Melita used her experience from working with sculptural art installations to have Song Saa Private Island resemble a Cambodian fishing village in exterior appearance[44]. The structures and furniture were crafted with driftwood as well as recycled wood sourced from old Cambodian fishing boats[45], and materials were sourced by the mainland to promote sustainability[46]. All water use on premises of the Song Saa Private Island has been designed to be recycled, and native vegetation has been reintroduced around the resort grounds[47]. During the development of the Song Saa Private Island, measures were developed to enforce philanthropic ideals into their business model, which later evolved into today’s Song Saa Foundation.

Since its opening in 2012, Song Saa Private Island has co-operated with surrounding villages, the Cambodian government, donors and financial investors to maintain conservation-based luxury tourism in the Koh Rong Archipelago[48].

References[edit]

  1. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/travel/song-saa-resort-cambodia-is-rory-and-melita-hunters-community-project/news-story/a47b08ff9949cca2f1cc21f0e24b7fb9>”Song Saa resort, Cambodia, is Rory and Melita Hunter’s community project” theaustralian.com.au. 2015-06-23. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  2. https://www.oceanblueworld.com/make-it-happen/song-saa-luxurious-private-island-conscious-traveler/>”SONG SAA: A LUXURIOUS PRIVATE ISLAND FOR THE CONSCIOUS TRAVELER” oceanblueworld.com. 2018-01-12. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  3. http://prestigeonline.com/sg/travel/-/sustainable-eco-resorts-hotels-around-the-world/>”PRESTIGE PICKS: 5 SUSTAINABLE RESORTS AROUND THE WORLD” prestigeonline.com. 2018-07-03. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  4. "Government Transparency - Changing Lives | Song Saa…". 2018-10-11.
  5. https://www.fauna-flora.org/news/world-oceans-day-marks-cambodian-conservation-success>”World Oceans Day marks Cambodian conservation success” fauna-flora.org. 2014-06- 08. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  6. http://www.greenhotelier.org/destinations/asia-pacific/song-saa-private-island-with-philanthropic-core/>”Song Saa: Private island with philanthropic core” greenhotelier.org. 2015- 01-29. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  7. https: <//www.scmp.com/magazines/style/travel-food/article/2142441/6-best-eco-friendly- luxury-resorts-southeast-asia>”6 best eco-friendly luxury resorts in Southeast Asia” scmp.com. 2018-04-21. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  8. http://www.destinasian.com/blog/news-briefs/philanthropic-journeys-with-song-saa>”Philanthropic Journeys With Song Saa” destinasian.com. 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2018-07- 05.
  9. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3099611/Mother-bought-island-just-15-000-Cambodian-locals-decade-despite-plans-stay-year.html>”The mother who was offered an ISLAND for $15,000 while traveling in Cambodia – and is still running the bargain property as a luxury resort 10 years later” dailymail.co.uk. 2015-05-28. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  10. https://www.jacadatravel.com/the-explorer/interview-song-saas-rory-melita-hunter>”An Interview with Song Saa’s Rory & Melita Hunter” jacadatravel.com. 2014-09-06. Retrieved 2018- 07-05.
  11. http://hkmb.hktdc.com/en/1X0A5WWG/first-person/Isle-of-Sustainability>”Isle of Sustainability” 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  12. http://www.choosebrisbane.com.au/corporate/brisbane-marketing/what-we-do/g20/global-cafe/brisbane-global-cafe-speakers?sc_lang=en-au>”Brisbane Global Café Speakers” choosebrisbane.com.au. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  13. https://www.eturbonews.com/103532/g20-travel-tourism-advocacy-lessons-learned-appetite-sharpened>”G20: Travel & tourism advocacy lessons learned – appetite sharpened?” eturbonews.com. 2014-11-17. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  14. https://robbreport.com/travel/destinations/founder-song-saa-private-island-cambodia-honored-2015-young-global-243593/>”Founder of Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia Honored as 2015 Young Global Leader” robbreport.com. 2015-03-17. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  15. http://www.greenhotelier.org/destinations/asia-pacific/song-saa-private-island-with-philanthropic-core/>”Song Saa: Private island with philanthropic core” greenhotelier.org. 2015- 01-29. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  16. https://www.jacadatravel.com/the-explorer/interview-song-saas-rory-melita-hunter/>”An Interview with Song Saa’s Rory & Melita Hunter” jacadatravel.com. 2014-09-06. Retrieved 2018- 07-05.
  17. https://www.mekongtourism.org/mekong-responsible-tourism/song-saa-foundation-koh-rong-cambodia/>”SONG SAA FOUNDATION – KOH RONG, CAMBODIA” mekongtourism.org. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  18. http://ecogypsy.net/eco-heroes/rory-melita-hunter-of-song-saa/>”Rory & Melita Hunter of Song Saa” ecogypsy.net. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  19. https://nanuku.aubergeresorts.com/media/2016-Andrew-Harpers-Report-January-Issue.pdf>”Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report” (PDF) (Publication) andrewharper.com. 2016-01. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  20. https://www.jacadatravel.com/the-explorer/interview-song-saas-rory-melita-hunter/>”An Interview with Song Saa’s Rory & Melita Hunter” jacadatravel.com. 2014-09-06. Retrieved 2018- 07-05.
  21. http://www.destinasian.com/blog/news-briefs/philanthropic-journeys-with-song-saa>”Philanthropic Journeys With Song Saa” destinasian.com. 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2018-07- 05.
  22. https://www.oceanfdn.org/projects/international-partner-project/song-saa>”Song Saa” oceanfdn.org. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  23. https://songsaacollective.com/files_media/Downloads/SongSaaFoundation2016ReportV2web.pdf>”SONG SAA FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2016” (PDF) (Annual Report) songsaacollective.com. 2016. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  24. https://songsaacollective.com/files_media/Downloads/SongSaaFoundation2016ReportV2web.pdf>”SONG SAA FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2016” (PDF) (Annual Report) songsaacollective.com. 2016. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  25. https://songsaacollective.com/files_media/Downloads/SongSaaFoundation2016ReportV2web.pdf>”SONG SAA FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2016” (PDF) (Annual Report) songsaacollective.com. 2016. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANCPFifoXTM>”Rory & Melita Hunter: Song Saa and The Boat of Hope (IAMECO Warrior)” (YouTube). Retrieved 2018- 07-05.
  27. https://songsaacollective.com/files_media/Downloads/SongSaaFoundation2016ReportV2web.pdf>”SONG SAA FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2016” (PDF) (Annual Report) songsaacollective.com. 2016. Retrieved 2018-07-06.
  28. https://www.fauna-flora.org/news/cambodias-first-large-scale-marine-protected-area-declared-for-koh-rong-archipelago>”Cambodia’s first large-scale marine protected area declared for Koh Rong Archipelago” fauna-flora.org. 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  29. https://trendprivemagazine.com/2017/08/28/list-top-eco-hotels/>”List of Top Eco Hotels” trendprivemagazine.com. 2017-08-28. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  30. http://en.freshnewsasia.com/index.php/en/6233-song-saa-collective-to-build-eco-tourism-city-in-siem-reap.html>”SONG SAA Collective to Build Eco-tourism City in Siem Reap” en.freshnewsasia.com. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  31. https://www.realestate.com.kh/news/Song-Saa-Collective-to-Establish-Eco-tourism-City-in-Siem-Reap/>”Song Saa Collective to establish Eco-Tourism City in Siem Reap” realestate.com.kh. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  32. https://www.khmertimeskh.com/5094171/collective-sets-eco-tourism-city-siem-reap/>”Collective sets up eco-tourism city in Siem Reap” khmertimeskh.com. 2017-12-06. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  33. https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/southeast-asia/cambodia/song-saa-private-island/>”Song Saa Private Island” packforapurpose.org. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  34. https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/southeast-asia/cambodia/song-saa-private-island/>”Song Saa Private Island” packforapurpose.org. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  35. http://www.greenhotelier.org/destinations/asia-pacific/song-saa-private-island-with-philanthropic-core/>”Song Saa: Private island with philanthropic core” greenhotelier.org. 2015- 01-29. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  36. http://www.destinasian.com/blog/news-briefs/philanthropic-journeys-with-song-saa>”Philanthropic Journeys With Song Saa” destinasian.com. 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2018-07- 05.
  37. https://www.elitetraveler.com/travel/travel-news/song-saas-journeys-of-change-giving-guests-the-opportunity-to-donate-to-the-song-saa-foundation>”Song Saa’s ‘Journey of Change’: Giving Guests the Opportunity to Donate to the Song Saa Foundation” elitetraveler.com. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  38. https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/southeast-asia/cambodia/song-saa-private-island/>”Song Saa Private Island” packforapurpose.org. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  39. http://www.greenhotelier.org/destinations/asia-pacific/song-saa-private-island-with-philanthropic-core/>”Song Saa: Private island with philanthropic core” greenhotelier.org. 2015- 01-29. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  40. http://www.destinasian.com/blog/news-briefs/philanthropic-journeys-with-song-saa>”Philanthropic Journeys With Song Saa” destinasian.com. 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2018-07- 05.
  41. https://www.ampersandtravel.com/blog/2012/the-story-behind-song-saa-cambodias-first-private-island-resort/>”The story behind Song Saa, Cambodia’s first private island resort” ampersandtravel.com. 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  42. http://www.greenhotelier.org/destinations/asia-pacific/song-saa-private-island-with-philanthropic-core/>”Song Saa: Private island with philanthropic core” greenhotelier.org. 2015- 01-29. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  43. https://www.ampersandtravel.com/blog/2012/the-story-behind-song-saa-cambodias-first-private-island-resort/>”The story behind Song Saa, Cambodia’s first private island resort” ampersandtravel.com. 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  44. https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/travel/45-places-to-go-in-2012.html>”The 45 Places to Go in 2012” nytimes.com. 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  45. http://www.asiaone.com/travel/6-eco-friendly-hotel-options-green-travelers>”6 eco- friendly hotel options for green travellers” asiaone.com. 2017-07-07. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  46. http://natgeotraveller.co.uk/thecollection/a-z/search-article/song-saa-collective-koh-rong-archipelago-cambodia/>”Song Saa Collective, Koh Rong Archipelago, Cambodia” natgeotraveller.co.uk. 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  47. http://www.asiaone.com/travel/6-eco-friendly-hotel-options-green-travelers>”6 eco- friendly hotel options for green travellers” asiaone.com. 2017-07-07. Retrieved 2018-07-05.
  48. https://www.mekongtourism.org/mekong-responsible-tourism/song-saa-foundation-koh-rong-cambodia/>”SONG SAA FOUNDATION – KOH RONG, CAMBODIA” mekongtourism.org. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2018-07-05.

Song Saa Foundation[edit]


This article "Song Saa Foundation" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Song Saa Foundation. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.