At last, I can proudly announce the successful opening of our own new visitor centre. This is a beautiful space housing several Daughters' businesses, to which the public can come and learn about our work, be educated about the issues and realities of sex trafficking in Cambodia and support Daughters through the many customer opportunities (shop, women's spa and top floor cafe). It is located on st 178 (art street), opposite the University of Fine Arts' new art gallery. We employ around 14 girls here, some of whom are training as managers and other positions of responsibility.
The cafe, called Sugar 'n Spice, opened mid-June and has had a steady stream of customers who have been giving great feedback. We could not have done this without the skills of our kiwi Chef, Rich, whose amazing culinary talents have meant a fantastic menu and 3 highly skilled trainee chefs. The cafe is intended as a place for vocational training, where new clients will train and then graduate to work in top end restaurants and hotels. We offer comfy sofas, free wifi, delicious coffee, original smoothies which are fast becoming famous along with our outstanding brownie, light lunches, desserts and homebaked treats. All at unbeatable prices! It is not surprising our customers keep coming back.
Customer feedback so far includes; 'We really enjoyed our visit, the food was great and served in good portions. What an inspiring business - the slide show was very moving, and presented the trafficking situation well. Thankyou and good luck to all the girls'; 'The food and service at the cafe was wonderful! I definately would love to come back soon'; 'What a gorgous place - I could stay and browse in the shop for ages. Beautiful food and super service in the cafe' (Australia); and 'Service was gracious and efficient, the environment & setting is beautiful. I will be telling all I know to come here' (UK).
The shop sells the beautiful products made in the Sewing Room. Many of our products are made with eco-friendly naturally dyed cotton in earth tones, and includes accessories (jewellery, bags, scarves etc), clothing, and home furnishings. Jewellery is made on site and you can watch this being produced en route to the women's spa and visitor exhibitions. The women's spa specialises in head, shoulder and face massage, along with hand and food treatments including massage and pedicures/manicures. A registered Canadian massage therapist trained the girls, and as a result they have highly professional skills.
The visitor exhibitions include information boards scattered around the building, along with a slide show presentation in our dedicated presentation room, which gives insight into the issues and problems faced by victims of trafficking, and the solutions Daughters is able to offer.
We are very blessed to have this beautiful new centre, and thankful to everybody who has participated in making it possible, including donors and volunteers, and the girls themselves who are the true stars :)
