<< Return to AdventureTravelNews - November, 2007
ATTA New Member Profile - PEPY
PEPYAdventurous Living. Responsible Giving.TM
www.pepyride.org
Address:
PO Box 1235
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
105 Schrade Road
Briarcliff, NY 10510
Primary Industry Contact:
Daniela Papi
Executive Director
012-474-150 (Cambodia)
1-914-458-4262 (US)
What is PEPY?
PEPY
exists at the intersection of tourism and international development.
Our tours combine adventure travel with hands-on volunteer projects,
and allow people to give back while they travel. The non-profit programs
and tour components of our organization are interdependent. We are a
hybrid: an adventure voluntour operator funding sustainable educational
projects.
In addition to the trip fee, each participant on a PEPY tour contributes a tax-deductible donation that supports the ongoing humanitarian projects visited on the tour, as well as the educational programs run by our partner organizations. While exploring Cambodia’s hidden rural towns, the urban maze of Phnom Penh, and the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, your fundraising dollars are invested into education opportunities for Cambodian youth.
The PEPY Mission:
- To support Cambodian communities through improved educational
opportunities and increased access to schools in rural areas
- To encourage adventure travel that emphasizes social action, responsibility, and accountability
Where We Came From
PEPY was founded by a group of young social entrepreneurs who believe in our two-part model for change. We see a need for educational resources and advocacy in developing areas and also a global desire for meaningful travel options.
PEPY began as an idea for a cycling trip across Cambodia, led by two women living and working in Japan. Along with four other cyclists, they spent five weeks biking from Thailand to Vietnam while raising funds for educational projects. As they pedaled along countless red dusty roads, they visited schools and orphanages and taught the first PEPY environmental lessons. Through their fundraising efforts, a primary school in rural Chanleas Dai, Siem Reap province, was constructed.
To mark the opening of The PEPY Ride School on December 31, 2005, 35 others joined the team for a one-week volunteer tour. With the impact that this experience had on both the travelers and the community of Chanleas Dai, The PEPY Ride was established as international NGO, and we catapulted ourselves into the niche of adventure voluntourism. Travelers who join a PEPY Tour are able to support our on-going development projects, learn about this fast-changing country, and experience the benefits of volunteering while on a holiday trip abroad. The communities and programs we work with benefit from the international exchange and time donated by the volunteers as well as funding for educational and environmental programs and the travelers themselves have raved about these “life changing interactions.” We are committed to maximizing the experience for the communities we serve as well as the travelers who join us.
PEPY stands for "Protect the Earth, Protect Yourself" because we believe in the relationship between the environment and our health. In the current media frenzy over global warming, pollution, and carbon offsetting, there is often too much talk and not enough action. We want to encourage others to keep talking, but start acting too. We believe that by making small changes in our lives and the way that we travel, we can make big changes for our own health and the health of our planet.
What makes PEPY Unique
To quote a PEPY board member, we want to avoid the pitfall of offering "episodic spectacles for the sake of tourism". PEPY offers both support and funding for on-going, sustainable programs, rather than creating one-off volunteer projects simply for the sake of the travelers. As the funding by tour participants is invested in our educational and partner programs, the gears of development are kept in motion long after a tour has ended. Participants come on our tours as advocates for all those who have donated to PEPY, to see our projects, learn about our mission, and have a chance to live what they give. Donating to an organization can be rewarding, but we believe that following up on that investment, seeing the good your money can do, and being a part of the organization makes your involvement more meaningful.
We believe that through this model we can combat illiteracy, help more children in rural areas continue on to secondary school, spread environmental and health education, and inspire travelers to do more with their time and money. At PEPY we believe in the power of the individual and we hope to prove to each participant that they too can be the change they wish to see in the world.
There are hundreds of NGOs operating in Cambodia, all working in different areas of development. If we try to redo what other groups have already accomplished, time and money will be wasted. We create partnerships with the best NGOs, and invest energy and funds into their successful programs. PEPY is looking to be a bridge between organizations, taking the best we can find in the areas of education, health, and the environment and travelers who are looking to give back, but are unsure where to invest their time and money.
Our tours cater to a growing population of travelers who are tired of a typical vacation. We offer exotic adventures, environmentally conscious travel, and the opportunity to see a developing country that is struggling to improve education, health, and overall quality of life for its citizens. We will strive to keep our objectives consistent with our original vision, providing opportunities for countless individuals to not only enjoy the Cambodian countryside, but also to discover their individual power to make a difference.
Sample tours:
- Temple Safari Cycling Trek, Siem Reap and beyond
- Rural Experiential Tour, Siem Reap and surrounding areas
- Southern Cambodia cycling adventure, from Phnom Penh to the coast
- The PEPY Ride, across Cambodia by bicycle
Join PEPY on a cookie-cutter-free tour. Pack your passion and a smile and we'll see you at the airport!