An inspiring story of the handicapped war veteran: the ecotourism community leader

 In my previous articles, I talked about an accessible workplace, in this article, I will tell you about the manager who is war veteran and also disable, who leads the forest community and changed it into one of the famous ectourism destination. 

Trekking along the big tree roads

Since we had to film him in our trip, we asked for him to be our local guide, Mr. Chann leading us in his forest

 

Taing Yu Community-based tourism (Google Map) is community-based tourism initiative founded on 15 January 2015 with the support from World Vision Cambodia (organiation). The community covers on the area of 1,447ha of land and forest with 94households, of 413 people (with 181 women). The main purpose of founding this community is because majority of households are poor, have no-source of incomes but with potential of tourism attractions. The management committee was formed through the communal election and led by the former solider with disability for two mandates. Since Covid-19, many local visitors come to visit the mountain and have hired local guides and used local service from this community, but they do not have proper clean toilets at the visitor center so toilets’ construction is a must.

 

His efforts were paid off

• Mr. Chann Vanno, is a disable war veteran (lost one arm to the war), was born in Kompong Thom and settled down in Preah Vihear after the war. He had served the monks who had mediated over the mountain and was called to inform he was elected for being the community leader. It was not ecotourism sites at that time. It was merely the forest protected community. 
• It took years for Mr. Chann to advocate members of the community that the forest is very important to their life and thus, need protection. 
• It was him alone with his members to try go patrolling the forest and fought off illegal loggers. For the worse, he was threatened with his life. He still continues his mission and able to protect the forest till today.
• He is known as "Iron lung man" or "One Handed Hero" 
• A video featured him "talking about sacrifice over forest protection" 

Sites are potential for tourism

• Seeing potential for tourism, he had developed small infrastructure over the mountain as well some stairs. The reputation of the place lead him to host several visitors, mostly local visitors.
• In 2019, GIZ invited members from local communities to join the study tour to Thailand (Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to learn about community development over there)
• Upon return, the lady member from this community also brought new knowledge and inspiration from Thailand and started building more infrastructure around the community. The study tour was 08 days in northern Thailand to various local businesses and this was led by me 
• There were 3-4 trainings in regards to food and beverage, hospitality and accommodation were conducted to members of this community.
• Seeing the need of clean toilet at the visitor center, GIZ has also decided to build a toilet building with 6 blocks just like the one at Weave of Cambodia (Google Map, building at the same time). I was the one who coordinated this toilet construction. The toilet construction was also having two for handicapped men and women.
• Other organization also starts supporting patrolling activities which provide job to members.

What community' members receive

• Members can collect non-timber forest products like honey and rattan, mushrooms and other vegetables and wild fruits
• They can sell food like chicken and fish to visitors who order food from the community
• Young men and other members are local guides who would earn through leading visitors up the mountain, earns about 10$/day/ tour. If they stay overnight, they can earn more.
• Besides a leader, he himself is a great local guide who has so much energy for hiking up the mountain, with only flip flop. Believe it or not, he can even put big backpack which seems easy for him.
• Reduced people from migrating to work in Thailand
• Recognition from upper government and put the forest to "Natural Heritage Park" which managed by this community.

Mr. Chann and my team during our video promotional tour [photo from my organization's page]

Above: Mr. Chann and my team for video filming

Below: me was having breakfast before heading to another site for video filming

I was sitting in the hall built by Mr. Chann in the middle of the forest

A beautiful rock formation at his place

The second day, the leader of the community was brushing his teeth, using the stream water!

Veal Thmo Huot - a very interesting shaped rockOur typical food while campingMy trekking journey stops many timesMe, visting Phnom Thbeng Natural Heritage Park early last year!