Cambodia: Smiling Gecko

Achieving Great Things Together – Smiling Gecko Brings Smiles Back to Cambodia

Hannes Schmid, once a photographer of famous pop and rock stars, experienced a life-changing moment when he saw the sprawling landfills of Cambodia and the people living under extreme conditions. Leaving behind the glamorous world he knew, he founded Smiling Gecko near Phnom Penh to provide disadvantaged Cambodians with new opportunities and hope for the future.

A Holistic Approach to Independent Living

On a 140-hectare campus, local residents live, learn trades, and attend school. Smiling Gecko takes a holistic approach by integrating agriculture, animal husbandry, production, commerce, hospitality, tourism, and education.

The goal is to improve quality of life, ensure food security and livelihoods, and give people the opportunity to earn a living independently.

Support from the DERTOUR Foundation

Since 2019, the DERTOUR Foundation has supported the Smiling Gecko Farmhouse Resort & Spa, where young locals receive practical and theoretical training in service, culinary arts, housekeeping, and tourism. This helps them lead self-determined lives and build a sustainable future.

“I Had to Take Action”

Hannes Schmid often shares the story of how a harrowing encounter with a young girl who had suffered abuse inspired him to start Smiling Gecko. With patience and respect, he trains people who have never been to school, guiding them toward self-confidence, pride, and professional skills.

Setbacks are part of the journey – animals die, crops fail, misunderstandings occur. But everyone learns from these challenges, and the project grows step by step, aiming to empower the local community to become independent and self-reliant.

DERTOUR Guests Explore the Project

As part of two DERTOUR roundtrips, travellers have the opportunity to experience the project’s success firsthand – including a shared lunch – and gain a genuine insight into local life.

Mariya Un Noun – From the Slums to a Michelin Kitchen

One particularly inspiring story is that of Mariya Un Noun. As a child, she worked as a maid, fled abuse, toiled in a garment factory, and entered an unhappy marriage. At Smiling Gecko, she discovered her passion:

“At Smiling Gecko, I discovered my love for cooking – a passion I didn’t even know existed within me.”

“Training here is not just about skills – it’s about understanding people. My goal is to inspire a team proud of their work. Bringing Cambodian cuisine from humble beginnings to fine dining was a long journey, but here at Smiling Gecko, we made it happen together.”

Holistic Development in Action

Thanks to the support of the DERTOUR Foundation, many formerly disadvantaged Cambodians have gained stable career prospects. Smiling Gecko demonstrates how holistic development programs empower people to live independently, strengthen communities, and achieve lasting success.