Money Talks: How Spending Wisely Makes A Difference
The old saying that money talks is as true today as when it was coined. Savvy consumers know that where you spend your money counts. Here at Roaming Around With Robin & Allison (RAWRA) we tell our travellers often that we spend their money like we spend our money. RAWRA is a labour of love so it’s no wonder that giving back is at the forefront of our trip planning. While RAWRA doesn’t have the budget to make huge donations or the buying power to change the world, we truly believe spending wisely can make a small difference in this world. When considering where to eat, play or stay, we carefully consider all the options and choose to support those with similar values to our own where we can. As they say, every tidal wave starts with a ripple …
How We Choose Who To Support
At RAWRA we know there are countless worthy causes around the globe. We can’t possibly support them all, but by spending wisely we hope to make a small difference. Here are just a few of the attributes we look for when deciding who to support …
Women Centric Businesses
RAWRA was created by women for women so it likely comes as no surprise that supporting women, particularly in developing countries, is a key focus. We seek out women centric businesses and organisations that are committed to the development, growth and support of women and girls.
Micro Vs Macro
RAWRA is a micro operation so we are always keen to support small, locally owned ventures much like our own. That doesn’t mean we will always forgo the big names, that’s almost impossible, but we aim to get the balance right and ensure profits stay in the local community where possible.
Sustainability
RAWRA knows the responsibility of protecting the planet sits solely on our collective shoulders. We want to make sure we do everything we can to ensure the wonders we enjoy now are available for many generations to come. We seek opportunities to support those who embrace sustainability and aim to tread lightly on the planet.
Philanthropy Focused
RAWRA understands getting funding to make a difference is tough. Many simply couldn’t do what they do without the support of businesses, both large and small. We research the social enterprise philosophy of our vendors and choose those who give back to the communities in which they operate. Where we have to support big brands, we chose ones that support causes close to our heart.
The Arts
Every RAWRA trip includes activities designed to support local artists such as theatre, dance, live music, hands on creative workshops and more. Since retiring Robin has dedicated time to fostering her artistic talent and knows the challenges creatives face to be true to their art and make a decent living. Simply buying a ticket to a show is often enough to show your support.
Animal Welfare
RAWRA is committed to helping those who can’t help themselves. RAWRA purposefully avoids unethical animal tourism and actively encourages our travellers to do the same in their free time. Allison has two cute french bulldogs and regularly donates to many animal rescues both in Australia and around the world.
Who We Have Supported
Every buying decision RAWRA makes is deliberate. We are committed to spending wisely at every opportunity. RAWRA has supported far too many individuals, businesses and organisations to list them all, but here a just of few from our Asia 2024 trip that really stand out …
CAMBODIA: Phare – Siem Reap
Phare, the Cambodian Circus is a model of sustainability and responsible tourism. Phare funds 50% of the running costs of the Phare Ponleu Selpak school which provides free education to over 1200 at-risk Cambodian young people and provides well-paid employment to the school’s graduates. The onsite store sells original art produced by Phare Ponleu Selpak students and local artists with all the money going directly to the creator. Phare has banned all single use plastic bottles in favour of reusable metal bottles and their staff regularly volunteer for environmental causes like tree planting and local clean ups. RAWRA enjoyed a private event at Phare outside their regular schedule which not only provided our travellers with an exclusive experience, but provided Phare with an additional cash injection to help in their endeavours.
CAMBODIA: Srey Driver – Siem Reap
Driver Srey provides employment opportunities for women in a male dominated field. Nuong, the owner, advised Cambodian culture is built on a presumption that the man of the family will provide, but Nuong found that didn’t work for single mothers or divorced women who were struggling to provide for themselves and their children. Nuong created Driver Srey to give women with few skills the opportunity to earn a decent living and provide for themselves and their children. Seven of Driver Srey’s amazing female drivers ferried us around in a procession of tuk tuks with skill and a smile during our three days in Siem Reap.
CAMBODIA: Sombok Restuarant – Phnom Penh
Sombok is a celebration of the strength and creativity of Khmer women. Sombok’s head chef is the renowned Kimson Pol, a pioneering female chef who has managed to excel in a male dominated environment. Sombok’s all-woman team was the icing on the cake. RAWRA enjoyed a sumptuous multi-course long lunch at Sombok Restaurant during our stay in Phnom Penh.
CAMBODIA: Kanell Restaurant – Siem Reap
Every ingredient in each of the seven courses of Kanell Restaurant’s fine dining menu is locally sourced and expertly prepared in a kitchen lead by a female head chef. The menu, created by Cambodia’s leading female executive chef Kimson Pol (see above), showcases the very best of Cambodian cuisine. Every Kanell feast comes accompanied by a healthy dose of the arts with talented Apsara and Bokator performers keeping alive the traditional Cambodian dance. RAWRA chose a private event where we had exclusive use of the venue during our stay in Siem Reap.
CAMBODIA: Countryside Cooking Class – Siem Reap
Ben Nine created Countryside Cooking Class (CCC) to help fund his orphanage and to assist severely at-risk children that remain with their families. RAWRA spent a wonderful morning learning about and creating traditional Cambodian dishes over an open fire and we were the largest group to ever attend CCC. We cooked a mountain of food not only for ourselves, but also for the children’s lunch. In addition to spending wisely on the cost of our cooking class, RAWRA also made a donation that would fund a child’s upkeep and education for a year.
CAMBODIA: Thuokna ArtSmall – Phnom Penh
Thuokna Sin is the creative behind Thuokna ArtSmall based in Battambang Cambodia. Thuokna dabbles in many artistic pursuits including art, fashion and make up. RAWRA were delighted to work with Thuokna who travelled five hours from Battambang to Phnom Penh to create individual caricatures for each of our travellers over dinner one night in Phnom Penh.
CAMBODIA: Bodia Spa – Siem Reap
Every fancy hotel in Siem Reap has an equally fancy spa, but at RAWRA we wanted a more local experience with planet friendly products. Bodia Spa, the Cambodian Cocoon, was born from a partnership between Cambodian and French creators just a stones throw from Angkor Wat in 2006. Bodia Spa’s products are all-natural and handmade using plants, fruits, roots and spices which are developed and manufactured locally. Treatments are performed by local therapists who have been trained by a local professional with 15 years’ tenure in the industry. Bodia now has six spas in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Their 100% Cambodian apothecary products are now available to purchase online from anywhere in the world. RAWRA travellers’ two-hour visit to Bodia’s Siem Reap Pub Street spa was a highlight of our stay in Siem Reap.
SOUTH KOREA: Myung Sing Dang Brush Store – Seoul
Insadong was once an enclave for Seoul’s artistic community. As rents soared many of the traditional artists have been pushed out of the area and only a few remain. RAWRA provided a traditional Korean dojang (name stamp) from Myung Sing Dang Brush Store to each traveller on our 2024 trip. Kim Myung, the female owner of the store, advises each dojang is hand carved from stone in the traditional way. We hope spending wisely at Myung Sing Dang, another female owned micro-business, will go some small way to preserving this ancient art for many generations to come.
SOUTH KOREA: Spring Brewery – Seoul
Makgeolli is a Korean liquor which has been produced for over 2,000 years, but this ancient tradition was almost lost forever during the Japanese occupation. Today, only a handful of breweries possess the expertise to ferment this traditional liquor with the same methods used centuries ago. Spring Brewery is one of these and RAWRA hosted a tasting of two of their traditional Makgeollis on our private dinner cruise in Seoul to assist their goal of producing traditional Makgeolli for all to enjoy.
VIETNAM: Bebe Tailor – Hoi An
Ms B, a local Hoi An lady, began BeBe Tailor as a small family owned and operated business with only three staff in 2005. Almost 20 years later, BeBe has three stores in Hoi An and is Hoi An’s most trusted tailor. BeBe leads the way in Hoi An labour practices and provides their female dominated workforce with shorter regulated working hours and free meals. All RAWRA’s Asia 2024 travellers received a custom-made Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) from Bebe and Allison was fortunate enough to meet Ms B in person during one of her many visits to the flagship store.
VIETNAM: Bac Viet Quality Jewelry – Hoi An
Thao Nguyen is the talented female designer and owner behind Bac Viet Quality Jewelry in Hoi An. Thao’s shop in old town sells a few ‘off the rack’ items, but Thao can custom make anything your heart desires. While Bac Viet did not feature on RAWRA’s itinerary, when our travellers asked for recommendations for jewelers Robin and Allison did not hesitate to recommend Thao having used her services on a previous trip. And boy did our travellers practice spending wisely! Thao created some of the most amazing pieces in an exceptionally short time frame and everyone was delighted with the results. Thao’s mother inspired her to start her business as she often bought her jewelry as a child. Thao has plans to expand her business further by incorporating more diamonds and other precious stones in her designs.
VIETNAM: Teh Dar – Hoi An
Lune Production, the entertainment company behind Teh Dar, was established in 2012 with a vision of bringing Vietnamese culture to the world through artistic performances. Lune partners with Vietnamese artists who share a passion for presenting and preserving Vietnamese culture. Teh Dar’s UNESO certified cultural heritage standing was earned by using daring acrobatics and exotic tribal instruments to showcase Vietnam’s diverse tribal cultures. RAWRA travellers enjoyed the best ‘WOW’ seats in the house during our visit to Hoi An.
VIETNAM: Ms Vy’s Market Restuarant – Hoi An
Trinh Diem Vy (known as Ms Vy) is the undisputed queen of the Hoi An restaurant scene. Born and raised in Hoi An, she has over 30 years’ experience in the kitchen, the first 11 in her parent’s restaurant and then her own. From humble beginnings, Ms Vy’s business Taste Vietnam now employs over 450 people in Hoi An across 10 restaurants, a hotel and a cooking school. RAWRA dined at Ms Vy’s Market Restaurant during our stay in Hoi An.
How Can You Start Spending Wisely?
Spending wisely takes time and effort. Significant research goes into every spending decision RAWRA makes. It is particularly challenging to find micro business who often don’t have an online presence. Perseverance is the key and word of mouth recommendations are invaluable. If you like how RAWRA are spending wisely and your values are aligned to ours check out RAWRA’s upcoming trips or contact us for more information.
Disclosure Statement: This post is not sponsored. The information provided is based on our own personal experiences and has not been influenced in any way by the brand(s) featured. This post may contain affiliate links and any purchases will earn us a small commission at no additional cost to you.
