(August 2025)
Nestled between Phnom Penh and the southern coast, the Cambodian Homestay in Prey Theat started as a small cultural exchange by Linda Meas, her family, and friends from New Zealand. Over time, it grew into a place that celebrates hospitality, culture, and women’s empowerment.
In 2013, with encouragement from Paul Gill of Sonas World, the Meas family launched The Weavers Project—giving local women skills and fair income through weaving. Today, more than 500 handwoven cotton scarves are made each month, with women earning 35% of the wholesale price. What began as training has now expanded into a homestay, a weaving cooperative, and even a free after-school center for 100+ children. Some of the weavers’ daughters are now at university, inspiring the next generation.
This year, the project and WCF decided to shift from supporting just two scholarships to creating wider impact. The new plan includes:
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Strengthening the cooperative’s capacity
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Starting a spinning & natural dyeing workshop (employing 4–5 more women)
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Adding a yarn twisting machine for new products
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Growing organic cotton (involving 5–10 more families)
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Continuing scholarships and motivating children to study further
The Weavers Project now inspires other grassroots efforts, supports over 125 women nationwide, and welcomes 500+ visitors each year. More than weaving scarves, it’s weaving dignity, education, and opportunity into daily life.
