They are so much more than your typical souvenir shop. The Artisans of Angkor are what we call a social enterprise. Their mission is to help illiterate and disadvantaged young Cambodians from rural areas. They recruit them and teach them traditional Khmer crafts, notably wood sculpture, silk painting and statue painting.
Once these kids are recruited as apprentice, they are trained free of charge and receive a living allowance for the duration of their training, which will in turn allow them to get a sustainable career. You can visit the installations for free and see the artisans at work.
They also have a boutique on site and I was astounded by the quality of the products sold there. Yes, I will be honest, they are more expensive than what you can find in the markets. Yet, between the quality they offer and the social contribution it makes, I had no hesitation. I rarely buy gifts when I travel, unless I find something truly special with specific people in mind. Let me tell you, I got quite a few things here - gifts for 4 loved ones still came less expensive than some gifts I bought in Europe for one person. When all is put in perspective, it's pretty good.
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