About
Rajana was established as a project by a UK charity called Southeast Asian Outreach (SAO). SAO was founded in 1973 by a Cambodian Christian named Chhirc Taing who was studying in the UK. He appealed to the British Church to help in Cambodia. SAO was registered with the Cambodian Government as an International NGO in 1991. In 1995 Marie Hill founded Rajana using Cambodian young people whom she had met while working in the Refugee Camps in Thailand. During the years 1995-1997, Rajana developed from just two people learning basic card marking skills in Marie's house and selling to her friends, to 5 or 6 staff including three silversmiths.
The first shops were opened in Phnom Penh, followed by the Siem Reap shop in 2001, Sihanoukville store in 2006. Rajana is now under local management, and has a Board of Governors.
Vision
All artisan groups of Cambodia will earn a fair wage, be treated with dignity and have sustainable livelihoods.
Mission
Rajana aims to give young, underprivileged Cambodian people the opportunity to be trained in the production and marketing of contemporary craft. Rajana is committed to the personal development of our workers as individuals in an economic, social, and spiritual sense. Rajana provides employment with fair wages and a safe work environment where people have opportunity for professional development.
Goals
Our organization is very excited to see what possibilities the future might hold and we are always looking for opportunities to strengthen and promote fair trade in Cambodia. At Rajana, we like to keep our minds open to new markets for our producers and to expand our network throughout Cambodia. We would like to encompass the entirety of Cambodia's handicraft market and provide jobs for artisans of all trades.
Objectives
We provide jobs to artisans located all around the Kingdom of Cambodia. By having workshops in several cities as well as several small villages, we want to bring fair trade to all reaches of Cambodia. There are many talented artisans throughout the country and we strive to work along side them to help share their skills with the rest of the world. Because of this we also feel it is important to train locals who may be underprivileged so that they too can share their talents with others and provide for themselves.
Core Values
- Provide an income for young disadvantaged Cambodian artisans.
- Provide skill training.
- Revive Khmer crafts and encourage cultural expressions of art.
- Give opportunities for personal development.
- Give exposure to Christian ethics in business and personal life.
- Respect the Cambodian Labor Laws.
