A dream rooted in compassion
HAVEN was born from the vision of Swiss couple Sara and Paul Wallimann, whose two-year world trip led them to Cambodia. During their time volunteering at an orphanage near Siem Reap, they were struck by the challenges young adults faced after leaving institutional care. They realized many of the children weren’t true orphans but were placed there by families hoping for a better future. When they asked what would happen to these young adults once they aged out of the system, they were met with silence. That moment planted a seed and their dream took root.
Guided by the belief that “If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough,” Sara and Paul returned to Switzerland and founded Dragonfly– A Project for Cambodia’s Youth. They raised awareness and funds to create something transformative: HAVEN. It would be a training restaurant where young people could learn, grow, and prepare for life beyond the institution.
The impactful concept is a hybrid between business, education and community impact. It’s a “training restaurant and social enterprise that creates new life prospects for disadvantaged young adults, teaching them valuable work and life skills, while treating you with delicious, honest food that loves you right back.”
A burgeoning collaboration
Now, over a decade later, HAVEN is still changing lives—and GSL is honored to be part of this journey. Through our collaboration, trainees gain access to professional culinary training, equipping them with both technical skills and industry knowledge to succeed in the real world.
With the support of HAVEN's Chef Pardet and founder Paul, we're also exploring ways to translate the Kitchen Assistant Training into Khmer, which would localize the content and make it even more accessible for future cohorts and other Cambodian NGOs. Localization is a powerful step toward expanding access to quality professional education even more broadly across the community.
.jpeg)
What’s next?
We’re excited to follow the progress of this cohort as they continue through the Kitchen Assistant Training, with the support from our Director of NGO partnerships Laurent Rossier in close collaboration with HAVEN, in order to understand the impact the program is having on the students, the NGO and the community in general. And we’re ecstatic to continue supporting HAVEN’s mission of empowering young adults in Cambodia. Stay tuned for more updates from Siem Reap—and join us in celebrating this inspiring partnership!
🌟 Looking for more stories that make an impact? Read more of our latest news below.
.png)
.jpg)
