Tangram Restaurant

Tangram and the Community

Many people may not know about Tangram's commitment to help the community around Siem Reap. Tangram however was set up by people who have been involved in sustainable development and business mangement for over 8 years. After finally taking the huge step to build Tangram, the owners only wanted it to fit in with the community as much as possible. This dedication resulted in a small business that:

•  Employs 14 local staff against very fair conditions who are continuously trained by fellow industry partners
•  Uses local suppliers mainly for its fresh produce, meats and ingredients
•  Donates 5% of its profits to two charities that support underpriviliged youth
•  Hosts monthly "lunch & munch" programs for underpriviliged children
•  Build up the restaurant by empowering rural communities to supply the materials for the construction

Especially our dedication towards helping the youth of Cambodia is great. In a country where an entire generation seems to be missing, guidance of young people is not always priority. Tangram respects the work of organizations who help underpriviliged youth tremendously and therefore we work together with EGBOK Mission and The Boddhi Tree, who both train underpriviliged youth in hospitality skills. Both organizations are responsible for educating half of the staff members of Tangram.

Besides employing the dedicated youth, Tangram believes that every child, no matter what background should have the opportunity to be treated as an equal and should be able to enjoy the delights life has to offer. Therefore, Tangram hosts monthly a "Munch & Lunch"program in which we host children between 0 and 12 to play at our playground and do games with us after which they are treated to a nutritious meal in our restaurant in the setting they would not be able to enjoy otherwise. 

The charity program we follow is simple but offers the children an opportunity to explore beyond the gated and protected homes they live in. Most children are very vulnerable and have difficulties enjoying the freedom that is offered outside of their homes, their class rooms or orphan homes. The space that Tangram has is a perfect gift we can offer to these children. And that is why we build a playground and came up to host monthly the children of the community. And so our "Lunch & Munch" program was born.

Tangram's own children, Misja and Aliyah always happily share their toys on the Saturday or Sunday mornings with the children, who enjoy a game of football or basketball, the swings or seesaw, a game of bowling or the bicycles we prepare for them. Typically around 11AM the kids get hungry and our dedicated kitchen staff prepares a nutritious meal for them that includes water and lemonade, vegetables, meats, fried rice, fresh fruit, egg and other key ingredients that help the children's development. We can never make enough as all plates go completely empty at noon!


After another game and play, the children head back around 1PM for a nap, and Tangram cleans up and looks forward to next month again in which we can host another 25 kids. The program is fully sponsored by the owners of Tangram and every 3 months a donation (percentage of revenue) is donated to the two charities. Essential materials such as books, clothing, furniture or ther study materials are bought. This website keeps track on a quaterly basis what is being purchased of the money that you spend at Tangram!

The Charities, who are they and what do they do for Cambodia's children?

Hannah's Hope Children's Home provides a safe environment to orphaned and abandoned children in Cambodia. The purpose is to promote the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of these children. Furthermore, the goal is to support the development of these children into adults who will contribute to and be leaders in the communities in which they reside.

Hannah's Hope opened its doors in July 2010 and has accepted 25 children in its first year. Due to funds and sponsorships of locally based companies and individuals and international support, more children can be accepted. The founders have two adopted Cambodian children themselves and decided to do something back for the underpriviliged youth of Cambodia. Although Hannah's Hope cannot support every child in need, they provide excellent support to orphaned and abandoned children and guide them sustainably to a better future.

The Lotus Kids Club was established in January 2010. The Senhoa Foundation became its own independent non-profit organization. In March 2011, Senhoa LLC ws incorporated to produce and sell jewelry handmade by vulnerable persons and survivors of Human Trafficking. Senhoa supports victims of Huan Trafficking by providing income-generating opportunities, social inegration and programs for self-empowerment. Senhoa's 3 main believes are to generate income so that vulnerable women can gain economic independence. Senhoa offers educational and social programs for intellectual empowerment and uses its business sensibilities to achieve humanitarian goals.

The Senhoa Kids Club is part of the Senhoa Foundation and provides early childhood development programs and community building activities to marginalized families from the Banteay Chas area (vulnerable group of garbage collectors) in Siem Reap. The Lotus Kids Club is a preventative program of Human Trafficking with an emphasis on cost-efficiency and building local capacity.

February 2013 Donation (1st donation since opening)

The Lotus Kids Club received over USD 6000 worth of donations from a connection of Tangram. The club allocated the money by building a playground on its own opposite their centre. A piece of land of about 500sqm was rented and washing and toilet facilities have been build for the children as well as an entire playground with swings, playhouses, see-saws, etc. 

Hannah's Hope Children's Home received USD 358,77 as part of the commitment and promise of Tangram to donate a percentage of its profits to charity. The money was allocated to buy two additional bunkbeds that sleep 4 children as the centre expanded in the past few months and now have 30 children to care for. The bunk beds allow the new children to sleep in their own bed and offer them some privacy. The remaining money was used for books and household materials like plates, knives, etc. 

Please email us if you would like to know more about our charity cause or if you have items such as clothes, books or other materials to donate to Hannah's Hope and the Lotus Kids Club. Thank you for helping our community!

November 2013 Donation (2nd donation since opening)

After a tough few months over the low season, Tangram managed to donate to the Lotus Kids Club and Hannah's Hope Children's Home a total of USD 170 per organization. Lotus Kids Club has used the funds to expand their playground further and bought sand to help the children's playground become safer. They also added plants, flowers and vegetables for the children to take care of. This is a great way to teach the children how to care for their environment without taking everything for granted. Last but not least, the Lotus Kids Club bought English books to help the children further in their language development. Hannah's Hope welcomed the donation and used it to buy pillows and pillow cases for the children after they bought bunk beds with the first donation. Their washing machine also broke down and funds were allocated to ensure the kids' clothes would be clean again. A total of almost 100 children thank all of you who dined at Tangram the past few months for supporting them and Tangram of course thanks you for following our developments and what happens with the 5% we collect from you for the kids we support!