Smiling Gecko.
Supporting education. For a better future.
An oasis of hope
The Cambodian charity "Smiling Gecko", founded by Swiss artist Hannes Schmid, runs the unique Smiling Gecko Campus around 60 kilometres north of the capital Phnom Penh.
A blueprint for a functioning rural community has been created here on an area of 150 hectares. The children receive an education in line with international standards, and young adults receive professional vocational training.
In addition to an impressive hotel resort, high-quality food and artisan products are produced in the fields, on the farms and in various craft businesses. These are either used directly on site or marketed domestically.
DQ Solutions and Smiling Gecko.
DQ Solutions actively supports the project in its digital transformation and enables access to global knowledge with innovative digital solutions. As a result, pupils are optimally prepared for the demands of the modern world.
To achieve this, DQ Solutions provides hardware and software and also takes over the comprehensive management of the devices with Jamf School. All the resources provided originate from Switzerland, yet are perfectly customised to the needs of the Smiling Gecko Campus in Cambodia.
In addition, teachers are trained on site as well as kept up to date through regular online consultations and webinars. This ensures that they can utilise the full potential of the iPads provided by DQ Solutions for their lessons.
DQ Solutions and Smiling Gecko – Together for digital education.
The vision.
Smiling Gecko pursues a holistic approach to help children and families in need in Cambodia and to promote a self-determined life in rural regions. The Smiling Gecko Campus, which was founded in 2014 in Kampong Chnang province, covers 150 hectares and comprises clusters in the fields of agriculture, crafts, tourism, gastronomy, schools and education, all of which are interlinked.
The organization aims to create a self-sufficient rural community to provide education, decent work and sustainable income to counter rural exodus and urbanization. Collaborations with renowned Swiss institutions and companies such as the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, ZHAW Wädenswil, Implenia, Sika and Ringier Axel Springer support the sustainability goals in accordance with the UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, to which Cambodia committed itself in 2015.
150 hectares of future – Smiling Gecko Campus
School & Kindergarten.
The centre of everything.
Since 2017, the bilingual school and kindergarten have formed the heart of the campus. The highly qualified teachers teach in both Khmer and English. This opens up real opportunities for a self-determined future and prosperity for the children, even in the rural areas of Cambodia.
Farmhouse Resort & Spa.
The holiday paradise.
Holidays in dreamlike surroundings and development aid for Cambodia at the same time: this is the philosophy of the Farmhouse Resort, which is currently the most important source of income and the largest training facility on the Smiling Gecko Campus. The hotel offers heavenly tranquillity, relaxation in the spa and culinary delights in the Farmhouse Restaurant. A unique combination of relaxation and social commitment.
Agriculture & Livestock.
The model farms.
The Smiling Gecko Campus practises diverse and sustainable agriculture and breeding with high-quality products such as fruit, vegetables, cattle, chickens and fish. These products form the basis of the school children's diet and are grown using the latest knowledge and taking current climate data into account.
Craft & Production.
The production facilities.
The Smiling Gecko Campus produces artisanal products and local goods. The businesses are specifically designed to offer young adults comprehensive training and further education opportunities. These training programmes are particularly important in rural Cambodia, as conventional training opportunities are limited. The training programmes on offer include bakery, butchery, carpentry and tailoring.
Emergency humanitarian aid.
Still vital for survival.
Climate change and the recent coronavirus crisis have led to life-threatening crises in rural Cambodia for which there are no government solutions. Since 2015, Smiling Gecko has been providing emergency aid to families in need by providing food from the farm, fresh drinking water, rice, sanitary products and medicines.
