2014 Business Chicks Cycle Challenge
INFORMATION PACK
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WELCOME
Thank you for enquiring with PROJECT FUTURES about
the 2014 Business Chicks Cycle Challenge through
Cambodia. By registering, you will be committed to
raising funds and awareness for Somaly Mam and
her work in Cambodia with AFESIP. AFESIP run three
Cambodian centres that rescue, rehabilitate, reintegrate
and educate women and children who have been
forced into commercial sexual exploitation.
PROJECT FUTURES started in June 2009 in Sydney,
Australia. We are a non-profit organisation that raises
awareness and funding for programs dedicated to
combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation in
Australia and South-East Asia. To date we have raised
over 1.1 million dollars through a passionate network
of young professionals committed to innovating the way
our society contributes to charity.
PROJECT FUTURES has a long standing partnership
with The Somaly Mam Foundation and AFESIP. We
have run 7 international challenges donating over
$530,000 directly to her work.
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2014 BUSINESS CHICKS CYCLE CHALLENGE
SIEM REAP TO SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA • 6TH – 17TH FEBRUARY 2014 • 415KM
• Fundraising: $7000 minimum per person
FUNDRAISING GUIDELINES
• Registration Fee: $700 per person (this is your
contribution towards the cost of the trip).
You can begin fundraising straight away. The quicker
you start the less stressful it will be towards the end.
Please download our DIY fundraising kit online which
gives you some great fundraising ideas and ways
to get started. http://www.projectfutures.com/getinvolved/diy.php
• This trip is open to all Business Chicks Premium
Members
FUNDRAISING AND COST INCLUDES:
• International flights ex Sydney and Melbourne (not
including airline taxes)
• All accommodation in Cambodia (twin share)
More information and our ten easiest ways to fundraise
can be found on page 9. Funds can be transferred to
PROJECT FUTURES via two ways:
• Most meals
1. Transfer any funds directly into the PROJECT
• Multi speed mountain bike
• Local guides, ground staff and bike mechanics
• Safe drinking water and snacks during cycle days
• PROJECT FUTURES cycle shirt
NOT INCLUDED:
• Airline departure taxes and any fuel surcharges
• Travel insurance
• Cambodian visa
• Vaccinations required
FUTURES bank account:
PROJECT FUTURES Ltd
BSB – 012 361
Account – 1806 59178
Description: your full name and ‘BC cycle’
2. Set up a Go Fundraise Account. This is an easy way
to collect donations from family and friends who might
not be able to attend an event but want to support
what you are doing. Create your go fundraise profile
under the PROJECT FUTURES banner here – http://
projectfutures-international.gofundraise.com.au/
• Gratituities for local staff on tour
RULES
• Additional activities while on tour
• At least 80% of your fundraising minimum must be
raised prior to going on the trip ($5600)
• Helmet and water bottle for cycling
REGISTER
To book your place here. All places are based on a
first come first serve basis. http://rawtravel.com/trip/
business_chicks_cambodia_cycle_2014
• If 80% is not raised PROJECT FUTURES reserves the
right to take an imprint of your credit card before
the departure date with the remaining balance
deducted from your card if the minimum amount
is not raised upon return.
• You will have 2 months upon your return to raise
the remaining funds, 18th April.
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THE ITINERARY
DAY 1 – 6TH FEBRUARY
Depart Australia.
DAY 2 – 7TH FEBRUARY
Siem Reap - Arrive in Siem Reap. Airport pick up by
RAW Travel. Welcome by PROJECT FUTURES CEO.
Meet local travel team and guides for information
briefing on the weeks ahead. Meals included: Dinner
to Angkor Wat. The circuit through Angkor Wat is
truly magical and inspiring as you pass the Bayon,
Angkor Thom and the temple of women, Banteay Srei,
a beautiful pink sandstone temple. Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 5 – 10TH FEBRUARY
Cycle Ben Melea and Kampong Thom (75km) - Today
we are off to see the ruined temples of Beng Melea,
DAY 3 – 8TH FEBRUARY
still overgrown with jungle and very atmospheric with
Day in the life of a Cambodian Village - Village life
verdant green fields and lively rural villages. Meals
in Cambodia. Today we will join a local family and
included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
spend a few hours walking in their shoes. Help with
harvest, plant rice, weave thatch and learn to drive a
bullock cart. This full day tour directly helps all villages
providing a sustainable income year round. On every
tour a host family looks after the group and they receive
a small payment for being the host family and a larger
contribution is made to the village fund. This fund is
used for special village projects like filters and water
wells. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
relatively few visitors. The ride is beautiful, passing
DAY 6 – 11TH FEBRUARY
Transfer to Kamong Cham/ AFESIP Centre Visit - We
will go by vehicle to Kampong Cham where we will
visit one of Somaly Mam’s AFESIP centres. To reach the
centre which is out of town we will travel along a rough
road so expect to be shaken around a bit. Kampong
Cham is one of the centres that house children under the
age of 16 that have been rescued from the commercial
DAY 4 – 9TH FEBRUARY
sex trade. Somaly describes it as one of the most
Angkor Temple circuit and Banteay Srei (70km) - Today
information on page 7 about AFESIP centre visits.
inspiring places, full of hope and love. Please read the
will be an early morning start to fit everyone for their
bikes. We will take a ride through the town and out
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DAY 7 – 12TH FEBRUARY
Kampong Cham – Phnom Penh (65km) - One of the
most interesting rides of the trip, today we ride along
Mekong River on a small dirt road through small
Cham Villages who survive on fish from the Mekong
and small-scale vegetable and animal farming.
We board buses on the last leg of our journey into
Phnom Penh. Free afternoon in Phnom Penh. Meals
We then begin riding on more flat easy roads through
endless rice fields and waving children towards the
coastal town of Kep. We finish in Kamot an enjoyable
place to wander around past old colonial buildings and
riverfront cafes. In the evening boat trips can be taken
into the mangroves or you can relax with a massage
from a blind masseur at the Seeing Hands Massage
Centre. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
included: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 10 – 15TH FEBRUARY
DAY 8 – 13TH FEBRUARY
Cycle to Sihanoukville (104km) . We ride flat roads
Phnom Penh / AFESIP Centre Visit - Today is the
highlight of your trip as we take a rest from the bike
and visit the AFESIP Tom Dy Centre by Somaly Mam.
You will meet women who have lived through the
horror of forced sexual servitude and be touched by
their resilience, hear their aspirations and share the
love. It will be an emotional yet life changing day.
In the evening we will have dinner with some of the
Voices for Change women who are ambassadors
of AFESIP and Somaly Mam. This will be a great
chance to learn more about the issue from those
who have experienced trafficking personally. Meals
Included: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9 – 14TH FEBRUARY
Cycle to Kampot and Kep (100km) - We continue
our journey southwards today, starting with a bus
under the gaze of the Elephant Mountains and within
sight of the southern Cambodian coastline. As the day
progresses and we get closer to Sihanoukville the roads
become quite undulating with the last 20km holding a
few challenging hills. The effort is well worth it as we
finish in the beautiful beachside and a relaxation day
to look forward to. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner
DAY 11 – 16TH FEBRUARY
Sihanoukville and transfer to Phnom Penh - Our cycling
adventure concludes today and after a lesiurly morning
we transfer you back to Phnom Penh in time for your
evening flight. Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 12 – 17TH FEBRUARY
Arrive back in Australia
transfer to get out into rural area.
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THE CAUSE – WHERE IS YOUR FUNDRAISING GOING?
The money raised from the Business Chicks cycle challenge will be going directly to the work of former Cambodian
sex trafficking survivor Somaly Mam. Somaly is the inspiration behind PROJECT FUTURES. She was sold into a life
of abuse, torture and rape and endured so much at such a young age. After escaping the industry with the help of a
foreigner she went on to establish AFESIP, a Cambodian non governmental organisation which rescues, rehabilitates,
reintegrates and educates women and children that have been forced into sexual servitude. AFESIP centres operate
in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. We will be visiting two of Somaly’s centres on the Business Chicks Cycle Challenge
and learning more about the amazing work her organisation does in South East Asia. To learn more about Somaly,
please read her auto-biography which can be bought on the PROJECT FUTURES website.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHEN VISITING THE AFESIP CENTRES
One of the most rewarding and exciting parts of this PROJECT FUTURES Challenger events is to be able to visit the
AFESIP centres (centres for victims of trafficking funded by Somlay Mam Foundation). During your trip.
As per AFESIP visitor policy, these centres are ‘places of healing, care, support and growth for each individual
resident.’ PROJECT FUTURES wants to ensure that all our challengers understand the privilege in visiting these centres
and therefore follow all nessasary procedures that AFESIP have set out.
WE REQUIRE YOU TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:
1. Recent criminal record/ background check (issued by police in your local area) valid within 12 months.
2. Signed copy of AFESIP visitor information and agreement policy
3. Signed copy of the child protection policy
Please note that no camera, videos and mobile phone can be taken into the centres.
This is listed in point 4 of the visitor policy attached with this information pack.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. ARE DONATIONS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
PROJECT FUTURES is applying to gain deductible
gift recipient (DGR) status with the relevant governing
authorities in Australia, but it is a lengthy process. We
currently do not have DGR stud within Australia, which
means that any donations from Australia are not tax
deductible. We understand that because donations are
not tax deductible the ability to raise significant funding
becomes more of a challenge, however IT IS POSSIBLE!
To date PROJECT FUTURES has raised over 1.1 million
dollars – none of which has been tax deductible.
People are passionate about this cause and together
we can make a real difference.
2. WHAT IS INCLUDED ONCE I REGISTER AND RAISE
THE FUNDRAISING MINIMUM TARGET AMOUNT?
• International Flights return from Sydney and
Melbourne (excluding airline taxes and fuel
surcharges)
• All accommodation in Cambodia (twin share)
• Gratuities for all staff looking after us on tour
• Additional activities whilst on tour
• Adequate helmet for cycling
4. WHAT HAPPENS IS I CAN’T RAISE THE
FUNDRAISING MINIMUM AMOUNT IN TIME?
You are expected to fundraise at least 80% of the target
before you leave for Cambodia ($5,600). If the 80%
prior to the trip has not been raised PROJECT FUTURES
will take an imprint of your credit card details before
departure with the remaining balance to make up the
fundraising minimum. You will have 2 months upon
return of the cycle challenge to raise the remaining
fundraising minimum amount
5. HOW MUCH OF THE FUNDRAISING GOES TO
THE CAUSE VS COST?
The cost per person for the trip after registration is
$2170, so a minimum of $4830 is going directly to the
cause. If you would prefer to pay the trip cost upfront
• Most meals
so that 100% of your $7000 goes to the cause this is
• Multi speed mountain bike
possible. Please contact PROJECT FUTURES to organise
• Local guides, ground staff and bike mechanics
this.
• Support bus
6. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE PARTICIPATING?
• Safe drinking water and snacks during riding days
• PROJECT FUTURES Cycle Shirt
3. WHAT ADDITIONAL COSTS DO I INCUR?
• Travel Insurance
• Cambodian Visa
• Vaccinations required
Our group will be a maximum of 25 people. This will
be set on a first come first serve basis.
7. HOW MANY HOURS A DAY WILL WE BE
CYCLING?
That depends on the particular day and your individual
cycling speed but generally between 4-7 hours over
a mixture of flat and hilly terrain with rest stops every
25km.
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8. WHO LOOKS AFTER THE LUGGAGE WHILST WE
ARE CYCLING?
11. DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
YES! Without adequate travel insurance you are unable
All luggage will be transported in the support vehicles.
to participate and we recommend that you take this out
A day pack/ handle bar bag is necessary to carry
as soon as you confirm your place on the trip.
camera, sunscreen and other small items with you.
9. ARE THE ACTIVITIES WE WILL BE PARTAKING IN
SAFE? WHAT ABOUT FIRST AID?
The safety of our group is our first priority and all
of the challenge events have been assessed for risk
prior to their being operated. You will be given a full
safety briefing during the event and cautioned about
any activity which could pose a hazard. All Raw
Travel leaders accompanying us have full first aid
qualifications and can attend to any injuries that take
place on the event and if necessary evacuate you to the
nearest clinic/ hospital for treatment.
10. WHAT KIND OF ACCOMMODATION WILL WE BE
STAYING IN?
We use different types of accommodation (hotels, guest
houses) depending on what is available in the area.
The more off the beaten track we get the more limited
the accommodation options, but it is always clean and
adequate for our needs. Rooming is twin share.
12. WHAT KIND OF FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED?
We always try to serve local dishes to give you a real
culinary adventure, after all trying new and delicious
local food is one of the best parts of your travel
experience. In many places there will be a mixture
of western and local dishes so you will always find
something familiar to eat. We will make an effort to
cater to any special dietary requirements, so please
notify us of this on your registration form.
13. PASSPORTS? VISAS?
You must hold a full passport, which is valid for at
least six months from the departure date. It is each
participants responsibility to obtain an appropriate visa
for Cambodia prior to departure. Contact RAW Travel
for further details.
14. WHAT ABOUT VACCINATIONS?
It is your responsibility to get all the required
vaccinations prior to the trip. Search
www.travelvax.com.au
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FUNDRAISING IDEAS
One of the easiest ways to begin the fundraising process and build up your confidence is to create your
personal profile on the PROJECT FUTURES, Go Fundraise page. Your profile is personalized and allows
you to send a link and collect online donations from your family, friends and work colleagues who want to
support your journey. The set up process is easy, click the ‘START FUNDRAISING’ button on the link below
to create your personal page – http://projectfutures-international.gofundraise.com.au/
PROJECT FUTURES has created a ‘Do It Yourself’ Fundraiser Kit for all supporters who are wishing to
fundraise on our behalf. Please download the kit here for some great ideas as well as logos you have
permission to use: http://www.projectfutures.com/get-involved/diy.php
OTHER IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED:
1. Ask for sponsorship. This cause is one that touches people and you should never underestimate the
generosity of others. Any donation, no matter the amount is helping you reach your target. Remember t
o send your GO FUNDRAISE LINK in your email to your network so they can donate straight away.
2. Create donation boxes and place around your university/workplace
3. Approach local businesses and ask for donation of goods/services which you can raffle off by selling
raffle tickets in your local community
4. Put on an event – movie night, sausage sizzle,
morning tea and charge a decent admission
fee. Even though a movie night may only
mean hiring a DVD and buying a few bags of
popcorn and drinks, get your guests to donate
whatever they would normally spend on a night
out. Borrow a projector and make it feel like a
real cinema experience! This principle can be
applied to almost any event.
5. Is your birthday coming up? Throw a party as
you would for your birthday and ask people to
donate in lieu of presents to your cause.
These ideas are only suggestions, we want you
to be as creative as possible. Remember to be
realistic about expectations on events you want
to create. Not every big event will mean big
bucks. Create a budget of costs to put on your
event and adequately price your event ticket so
you make a profit.
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CONTACT
If you have any urgent queries please contact:
STEPHANIE LORENZO
Email: steph@projectfutures.com
Phone: 0402 637 637
MELINDA REYNOLDS
Email: melinda@projectfutures.com
Phone: 0411 842 822
The team at PROJECT FUTURES and The Somaly Mam
Foundation would like to express our sincerest thanks to
you for endeavoring to make a difference in our world
and help the multitudes of men, women and children
that are devastated by human trafficking,
FOLLOW @PROJECTFUTURES
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Youtube
WWW.PROJECTFUTURES.COM
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