Corporate Social Responsibility
Jul
Plastic-Free July: How to be a Responsible Traveler
According to EPC, global warming is already having a detrimental effect on our planet. For example, “the polar ice sheets are melting, sea levels continue to rise, and there are increasing temperatures all across the globe.” It’s time that we all take responsibility for our planet and do our bit to reduce carbon emissions and help the environment. While some greenhouse emissions are unavoidable when traveling, there are a number of things you can do to reduce environmental harm. Here are some tips on how you can become a more energy efficient traveler! Get Your Home Holiday-Ready Remember that green travel starts before you leave the house. With the excitement of your trip, don’t forget to prepare your home for the holiday before you leave. Make sure that you turn all the lights off, unplug all appliances from the wall, and lower the temperature on your thermostat. If you have an automatic sprinkler system, turn it off! Build some bonds you’re your neighbors and ask them if they can water your plants. This will ensure that your home is as energy efficient as possible while you’re away. Think About Your Mode of Transport Unfortunately, the journey itself is one of the most polluting parts of traveling. TIES states that air traffic accounts for 10 percent of greenhouse gases worldwide. Traveling by boat or train is far more environmentally-friendly than flying, so try to opt for these modes of transport whenever possible. You should also think about how you’re going to get around once you reach your destination. Walking is not always an option so try to travel by bicycle or public transport. It’s a lot better for the environment than traveling by car – and it’s much cheaper! If you Fly, Fly Non-Stop It’s totally understandable that you want to see some exotic countries on the other side world – this means that flying may be necessary from time to time. Fortunately, there are still ways to reduce your impact when flying. For instance, opting to take a direct flight is a far more environmentally way to travel, as the takeoffs and landings create most of an airplane’s carbon emissions. You should also try and fly on airplanes that are more energy efficient. It’s now possible to calculate the carbon footprint of your flight using apps such as MyClimate, which also offer advice on how to travel greener. Do not Buy Plastic Water Bottles When you’re visiting hot countries, it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking enough water every day. In foreign countries, it is often not safe to drink the tap water, so many people buy bottles of water from the supermarket. It’s recommended to drink several liters of water a day – this would mean you would buy over 20 bottles of water every week! A simple, cheap and effective way to be a green traveler is to bring your own refillable drinking bottle. Many airports now offer free drinking water – this saves you money and helps the environment! Mad Monkey Hostels also have refill stations for travelers to take advantage of during their travels. Eat in Local Places Eat locally sourced food and avoid anything that has been imported. This is a great way to support the region’s local farmers, get a more authentic taste of the cuisine, and reduce the carbon footprint of food transportation. Lonely Planet advises that you should look for restaurants advertising local produce, or eat local dishes at food markets or roadside stalls. Make sure that you never eat endangered species, like…
Apr
17 Facts About Plastic Pollution | Earth Day at Mad Monkey
youtubeembedcode.com/de/ spelutanspelpaus.se 17 Things You Need to Know About Plastic Pollution 1. Only about 9% of plastic ever made has actually been recycled. 91% of plastic has been incinerated or gone into landfills or into our natural environment. -National Geographic 2. More than 9 million tons of plastic waste end up in the ocean each year. -National Geographic 3. The equivalent of a truckload of plastic enters the ocean every single minute. -Greenpeace 4. 40% of plastic produced is single-use packaging. -National Geographic 5. Almost 50% of all plastic ever created was made after the year 2000. -National Geographic 6. Plastic recycling rates are highest in Europe at 30%, China recycles 25%, and the United States recycles only 9% of its plastic trash. -National Geographic 7. Every minute, nearly a million plastic beverage bottles are sold around the world. -National Geographic 8. 500 million plastic straws are used DAILY in the United States — enough for straws to circle the world two times. -Greenpeace 9. Almost 2 million single-use plastic bags are used around the globe every minute. -Greenpeace 10. About 8% of the world’s oil production is used to create plastic. At the rate we’re going, it’s projected that this will rise to 20% by 2050. -National Geographic 11. Around 9 out of 10 seabirds, 1 out of 3 sea turtles, and more than half of whale and dolphin species have consumed plastic. -Greenpeace 12. High-income countries in Europe and North America have only 16% of the world’s population but produce a third of the world’s waste. -Greenpeace 13. Over 90% of worldwide waste is exported to lower-income countries that often lack sufficient waste management systems and facilities. -Greenpeace 14. The areas most impacted by plastic pollution are the coastlines and rivers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. -Greenpeace 15. At the rate we’re producing plastic and other waste, global waste will grow 70% by 2050. -Greenpeace 16. Not only does plastic waste contaminate the earth and ocean, but it clogs drains which results in floods, it causes respiratory issues when burned, and shortens animal lifespans when consumed. -The World Bank 17. The plastic we use degrades into “microplastics”, which are tiny particles that are nearly impossible to recover. These microplastics end up being ingested by animals, which people in turn consume. -The World Bank Earth Day 2019 at Mad Monkey Hostels For Earth Day 2019, Mad Monkey pledged to pick up 1409.5 pounds, thanks to our followers on Instagram! We posted a photo saying we would pick up one pound for every 5 Likes and 2 friends tagged, and you all sure delivered! We organized cleanups in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Cambodia with our staff, guests, and others in the local community. While we know that cleanups aren’t the solution to plastic pollution, we’d like to think that every bit of rubbish cleaned up results in fewer sea turtles, birds and other animals ingesting plastic bags, straws and other trash. What we’ve seen from our regular cleanups across Southeast Asia and Australia is that the biggest impact we make is awareness. When people see others cleaning up the beaches and cities they’re living or traveling in, it makes them think twice about littering. Some might decide to join in on the cleanup, and others might reconsider that plastic straw or plastic bag later on. We’re past the point of just recycling; humans right now must think of the bigger picture. Policy change and and an improvement of waste management systems and facilities…
Apr
Blood Drive: the Need for Safe Blood in Cambodia
Blood Transfusion Centre In 2017, the National Blood Transfusion Centre received about 75,000 units of blood donations, most of which were from family donors. Each unit contains about 350 milliliters of blood, and a single unit can save up to three lives. There is still a need for more, however. That’s where Mad Monkey Phnom Penh is making strides to help alleviate the medical needs of the country. Drive at Mad Monkey Phnom Penh On Thursday, April 25, the hostel will be hosting a blood drive in hopes of alleviating the blood shortage the country faces daily. Water and snacks will be provided to all those who donate in our clean and comfortable donating space. We’ll also have a photo booth in place so that you can share with your followers that you saved lives whilst traveling, living, or passing through the capital. Maricel Mañoza, an administrative advisor and business systems analyst, is one of the donors attending the blood drive at Mad Monkey. She moved to Phnom Penh in December 2016. She has always made it a goal of hers to donate blood at least once a year, no matter where she resides. “It is important to donate because it is not just an opportunity to give something that is part of you but there are also many benefits for the giver such as it can lower the risk of heart disease, heart attack and even the risk of cancer,” Mañoza said. The Problem in Cambodia According to a 2018 article by the Phnom Penh post, road crashes are the leading cause of death in the country. One way to combat the high number of fatalities is with more safe blood to be used for transfusions, but unfortunately, there just isn’t enough to go around. According to the National Blood Transfusion Centre, the four main reasons Cambodians need blood are to aid: Road accident victims Mothers hemorrhaging during childbirth Cancer patients People undergoing major surgery On the bright side, however, blood donation rates seem to be on the rise. From 2008 to 2015, Cambodia saw this number go up from 3 per 1,000 populations to 4.6 per 1,000 populations. According to the Health and Strategic Plan 2016-2020 created by the Department of Planning and Health Information (May 2016), they expect to see the percentage of voluntary blood donations go up from about 25 percent in 2015 to 50 percent in 2020. This is great to hear, as medical professionals are in dire need of safe and sufficient blood for both medical and surgical reasons. Is it Safe to Donate Blood? This is one question many want to answer before deciding to give blood. The short answer is yes, it is safe to donate blood! An adult has four to seven liters of blood in their bodies. The body also makes new red blood cells every day, so you don’t need to worry about replacing the blood (it is normally restored in about 48 hours if you hydrate). With that being said, you should span about four months between each blood donation. Who Can Donate? In order to donate, the National Blood Transfusion Centre Cambodia states that volunteers must be able to check off the following: Be in good health Aged 18-60 Weigh more than 45 kilograms Must not have donated blood within the last three months (male) or four months (females) **Attention Mad Monkey Guests!** The first 20 guests who sign up to donate blood on Thursday, April 25 will get a dollar off our delicious Bloody…
Apr
Mad Monkey Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Quarterly Report | January – March 2019
Mad Monkey Current Projects and Partner Organisations Mad Monkey is proud to support the following organisations; click on the link to learn more about their work. CBAVC (Cambodian Buddhist Association for Vulnerable Children) Mad Monkey Hostel Siem Reap, Cambodia In Siem Reap, Cambodia, private donations from the U.K. and Mad Monkey funds totaled $1,980 USD. This provided 6 new clean water wells in rural Siem Reap. In addition, we co-funded one community toilet block for $640 USD. They were all built in Trapong Phoung village, Chi Kreng District, in Siem Reap Province by the Cambodian Buddhist Association for Vulnerable Children (CBAVC). Mad Monkey Siem Reap staff joined CBAVC to see the well construction and meet the local villagers. They also made a visit to the local Kanseang Primary School to donate 450 exercise books, pens, and erasers for each child. For more information about CBAVC, go here. Cambodia Children’s Fund (CCF) Mad Monkey Hostel Phnom Penh, Cambodia In January, Mad Monkey Hostels continued its annual support for Kampong Cham Classroom at the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This sponsorship enables 17 children aged 8-14 years from impoverished homes to receive CCF education with access to feeding and health programs. Mad Monkey staff toured the school facilities and met the children and CCF teachers. We also handed over our annual cheque, which totaled $5586 USD this year. This money will fund the children’s education for a further 12 months. For more info about CCF, go here and to read more about Mad Monkey’s partnership with CCF, go here. Following a devastating fire in March that destroyed the homes of 46 CCF families living in Sambok Chab village, Mad Monkey hostels across Cambodia launched an emergency appeal for clothing and donations. With the support of many individuals and local businesses as well as fundraising events at our hostels, we were able to deliver over 300Kg of clothing, 400L water, and $852 USD in donations to CCF. Recognizing the power of sport to promote positive international relations and create comradery, Mad Monkey Phnom Penh also proudly supports both the Ladies and Mens teams at Riel Phnom Penh FC. Today, dozens of players are joining the training sessions and enjoying the social aspect off the pitch as much as on! Our sponsorship helps support the teams to enter leagues, tournaments, and purchase equipment. All are welcome: Khmers, Expats, Backpackers, Digital Nomads. For more information, go here. Epic Arts Mad Monkey Hostel Kampot, Cambodia Epic Arts production of Come Back Brighter came to a close in Kampot in March following a four-month successful run, with sponsorship of $1000 USD from Mad Monkey Kampot. The show was a wonderful portrayal of Cambodia’s golden era, tragic past, and exciting future through dance and film involving a cast of talented performing artists with and without disabilities. We look forward to sponsoring their next production in the fall of 2019 but in the meantime, we encourage everyone to visit the Epic Arts Cafe Kampot. Not only do they serve delicious meals, but they support this creative social enterprise, which increases work opportunities for people with disabilities and generates funds for their inclusive Arts Programs. For more information about Epic Arts, go here. Mad Monkey Hostel Nacpan Beach, Philippines Across in the Philippines, the beach side hostels have been busy keeping their local environment sparkling clean and safe. Mad Monkey Nacpan hostel employs a beach cleaner twice daily and staff and guests join together twice a week for more garbage collection along the beach. Our guests are amply rewarded with a well earned beer or two! For the…
Apr
The United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2019
The United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace This April 6 marks the annual United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace — the holiday brings people together on and off a pitch, demolishing barriers amongst players and teams alike. One great example of this is the Olympic Games. Seeing the possibility for social change, the UN announced in 2013 that the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace would be on April 6 of every year. This date is representative of the beginning of the first Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. Riel Phnom Penh Football Club Mad Monkey Phnom Penh, the original Mad Monkey, recognizes the power that sport has to promote peace and create comradery amongst players, just as the UN did by creating the global observance in the first place. Since then, the hostel has tried to support local teams to the best of their ability so that more players can join and establish a sense of community. It all started in 2013 after a friendly pick-up game between Martin McGuiness, a group of Khmers, and some expats who were working at the Australian Embassy at the time. Soon afterward, Riel Phnom Penh Football Club was born. He decided to start an all men’s which officially began to make a name for itself in 2015 with the help of Jamie Roy. The casual kickarounds turned into serious matches, and their accomplishments since inception have been impressive, to say the least. Sports in Phnom Penh In 2018, for example, two of their teams were entered into the Gentleman’s Tournament — both reached the semi-final stage against strong opposition who had been established for much longer. The accomplishments continued to arise, and Roy is even more hopeful for 2019. “This season we are looking to do even better,” Roy said. The all men’s team was soon followed by an all women’s team with the help of Gemma McGuiness, Martin’s wife. In April 2018, the Riel Phnom Penh Srey had their first training session. At the time, only five women joined the brand spanking new session — today, over 40 players are joining training sessions up to twice a week. And while football is the name of the game, these athletic get-togethers are so much more than friendlies and tournaments. “[I enjoy] the off the fields events and gatherings,” Roy said. “It’s great to be part of a team who enjoy spending time with each other away from the field, and, of course, having the RPP family there for support at any time.” Sponsors In addition to the team supporting one another, the practices, games, and tournaments wouldn’t be possible without the teams’ sponsors. Men’s Team: Mad Monkey Hostels Club Love Duplex Belgian Tavern CBRE Cambodia Women’s Team: Mad Monkey Hostels Chinese House What Role the Sponsors Play The sponsors play an incremental role off the pitch — they help support the teams to be able to enter leagues, tournaments, purchase necessary equipment, host events, give awards and much more. In addition, the sponsors make it possible for locals to join the community without putting them into any financial strain. “We decided as a club that our Khmer players should not have to pay a single dollar when they train or play,” Roy said. “We couldn’t achieve this without the generous support of our sponsors.” Who Can Join Khmers, expats, backpackers, digital nomads: all are welcome to join either of the football teams. If not for the sake of getting in a good workout, the practices and games are ideal…