By Martin Leighfield | Technical advisor
Project Report | June-December 2024
Project: Hospitality Training for Disadvantaged Youths (27419)
Title: Enhancements and Achievements in the Final Quarter 2024
1. Summary
Le Tonle training guesthouse and restaurant, a social enterprise project of the Cambodian Rural Development Team (CRDT), continues to provide theoretical and practical training to disadvantaged Cambodian youths in tourism and hospitality. By equipping them with essential skills, trainees are empowered to secure employment, support their families, and contribute to Cambodia’s tourism industry. With improvements in management, staff development, and operations, the project is making significant strides in preparing vulnerable youths for meaningful careers.
2. About Le Tonle
Le Tonle is a social enterprise that not just serves the guests but also serves the community and provides opportunities for youth to receive vocational training in tourism professions. The training program, recognized by the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, blends practical and theoretical learning, emphasizing responsible tourism practices.
Goals:
Reduce poverty and promote ecological conservation through sustainable tourism.
Train young disadvantaged Cambodians in hospitality professions.
Respond to the evolving needs of Cambodia’s tourism sector.
3. Progress Report
Operations:
Le Tonle’s operational performance has improved, supported by the recruitment of three new trainees. Two of these recruits are young women from underprivileged backgrounds, who, despite having no prior experience, were hired and trained to support their education and gain work experience. This has streamlined guesthouse and restaurant operations and enhanced service quality.
Management Initiatives:
1. A new Manager with a background in training and development has joined the team, continuously coaching staff to improve service and food quality.
2. Staff now wear new uniforms, contributing to a more professional appearance.
3. Guest feedback indicates improved service and food quality, reflected in higher ratings on Booking.com.
4. English lessons are provided twice a week to staff during the busy season, with plans to increase sessions to six days per week in the low season.
5. A new traineehas joined full time to create social media content and update the website. Technical training is needed to help maintain and improve the quality of our online presence.
Training Initiatives:
The supervisor attended a twoday workshop titled "Effective Leadership: Empowering Team Collaboration and Communication for Success."
In July 2025, cooks and service staff will travel to Phnom Penh for a weeklong advanced training program.
Environmental Initiatives:
Waste separation continues to be implemented at Le Tonle, reinforcing sustainable practices.
Staff and trainees now use grocery bags instead of plastic bags, aligning with efforts to reduce plastic waste.
Challenges:
Balancing operational demands with training schedules remains a challenge, especially during peak seasons.
Overcoming Challenges:
Enhanced management strategies and the recruitment of additional staff have mitigated operational pressures, allowing for better training and service delivery.
4. Achievements and Highlights
• Guest Ratings: Improved services have led to higher guest satisfaction and increased online ratings.
• Social Impact: The integration of underprivileged youths into the workforce has provided them with opportunities to support their education and gain valuable skills.
• Leadership Development: The supervisor’s workshop participation is fostering a culture of effective team collaboration and communication.
• Environmental Impact: The continued emphasis on waste management and reduced plastic usage highlights Le Tonle’s commitment to sustainability.
• Online Presence: The addition of a dedicated social media and website content creator is enhancing Le Tonle’s visibility and outreach.
5. Future Plans
1. Expanded Training: Increase English language lessons during the low season.
2. Staff Development: Send staff for additional external training programs to enhance their skills.
3. Community Engagement: Continue supporting underprivileged youths by providing training and employment opportunities.
4. Sustainability Initiatives: Further develop waste management practices and promote the use of ecofriendly materials.
5. Online Presence: Provide technical training to the new recruit to ensure consistent and highquality management of social media and website updates.
Links:
Le Tonle Website (http://www.letonle.org)
CRDT Organization (http://www.crdt.org.kh)
By Martin Leighfield | Project Leader
By Or Channy | Project leader
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