THE EXPERIENCE
AOKAS means “Opportunity” in Khmer, the official language of Cambodia. This term is the essence of our mission: to create commercial opportunities for those at the bottom of the pyramid and helping to improve their living conditions by paying fair wages on the one hand, and on the other, by allowing consumers to buy better, and make a positive difference in craftsmen’s lives.
Influences from the furthest places
To partner
After several trips and wonderful encounters, we selected six main partners.
The sale of their products, in partnership with Aokas, offers their craftsmen stability in the work, more means for their basic needs such as food, medical care and children’s studies, as well as more independence and a greater sense of self-dignity.
To act
Our sincerest wish is to take action against poverty by offering handmade products whose origin and manufacturing conditions are well known.
Our aim is not to maximize our profits, at the detriment of talented workers and artisans. We strive to work hand in hand with them, ensuring that they benefit from good working conditions, respectful of their rights and their fair remuneration.
To protect
Our partners use eco-friendly materials following the three Rs rule (Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose).
The majority of the employees works from home; their tools are a sewing machine or a weaving machine (luns) which places them at the bottom of the polluter’s ladder.
To support
Aokas’ objectives are long term and that is why we are setting up, a training program for our partners’ employees; this will help them optimize their production, hire more artisans and make a greater impact on their communities.
Aokas also supports Make A Little Difference’s Association. Its mission is to help Cambodia’s poorest children by providing them scholarships to continue their studies until they graduate from university and get out of the vicious circle of poverty.