Every month, as we compile these stories from across our regions, I’m reminded that real impact doesn’t come from grand gestures— it comes from consistency, care, and collaboration. Whether it’s restoring a school bathroom in Laos, planting rice alongside farmers in Thailand, or watching a shy student in Bali blossom into a digital storyteller, each action—no matter how small—carries meaning when it’s rooted in community.
At Discova, we don’t just deliver projects. We build trust, listen deeply, and walk alongside our partners to ensure every initiative reflects the voices and values of the people it’s meant to support.
This month’s update is a celebration of that commitment.
Thank you to every team member, partner, and local leader who continues to show what purpose-driven travel can achieve. There is still much to do, but we’re on the journey—together.
Chi Ngo Community Project Leader
Our Discova projects are entirely and exclusively run by our Educational Travel team, addressing a range of socio-cultural, environmental, and economic challenges in grassroots communities across our destinations. In 2025, we remain committed to continually supporting, empowering, and uplifting the communities we work with while delivering transformational educational experiences and expanding our travel offerings to include leisure travel and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Our Communities
• Manggis Community, Bali, Indonesia
• Knapor and Chansor Community, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Trei Nhoar Community, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Kok Na Sai and Thai Yuan Community, Sao Hai, Saraburi, Thailand
• Om Goi Community, Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Vinh Long Community, Vietnam
• Na Chao Community, Mai Chau, Vietnam
• Khai Cai Community, Mai Chau, Vietnam
• Bidayuh Community, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia (Upcoming)
Manggis Community
Bali, Indonesia
Blog Update – “John’s** Learning Journey”
Meet John, an 11-year-old student from a quiet Balinese village whose journey from farming fields to digital storytelling is nothing short of inspiring. Once a shy boy with no computer experience, John found his voice through the Kaura-Gen Digital Programme.
With creativity sparked by Canva, he designed his own illustrated storybook, The Farmer and the Mouse, and became a gentle leader, mentoring six of his peers along the way.
His story is now live on our blog, with an infographic snapshot that captures the measurable progress made through this programme.
Read the full story: www.discova.com/beyond-the-fields-a-young-storyteller-emerges-from-balis-heartland/
** In line with our ChildSafe commitment, the name “John” is a pseudonym used to protect the child’s identity. All content is shared with care and consent, ensuring the dignity, privacy, and safety of the children involved.
What Learning Means at Kaura
In our latest video, parents of Kaura students share heartfelt reflections on how the Learning Centre has transformed their children’s confidence, curiosity, and creativity.
One parent shared, “Before joining, my child was quiet and unsure. Now, they speak with confidence and love going to class.”
Watch the video: Parent Q&A: Transforming Children’s English Skills at Kaura Learning Centre
Why This Matters
The Kaura Learning Centre is more than a place to study. It represents equitable access to digital education, nurtures a culture of peer support, and empowers young learners with tools for the future.
Stories like John’s demonstrate how thoughtful, localised programmes can unlock potential and inspire leadership from within communities.
Trei Nhoar Community
Community Hub Completion and Greening the Space
The newly completed Community Hub in Trei Nhoar is already starting to serve its purpose as a shared space for learning, gathering, and cultural exchange. Featuring bamboo ceilings and integrated lighting, the structure blends practicality with local design, offering a warm and welcoming environment.
Surrounding the hub, efforts are underway to beautify the space meaningfully:
• On the right side, a seasonal vegetable garden is taking shape, with plans to grow 8–10 types of crops. This area lays the groundwork for a future farm-to-table initiative that can enrich both diets and learning experiences.
• On the left, a mix of flowering plants and shade trees is being planted to reduce afternoon heat exposure and improve overall comfort and airflow.
• At the rear, a peaceful relaxation zone will feature hammocks, seating, and a variety of aromatic herbs, such as lemongrass, enhancing the sensory atmosphere and offering a space to unwind after meals or community gatherings.
For Ms Nary, a leader in the community-based tourism (CBT) group, the hub represents more than just a building—it’s a point of pride. “As a local host, I feel honoured to welcome students and teachers from abroad into our village. Through this collaboration, we not only share our way of life but also receive support that strengthens our future.”
The new space allows her to offer visitors an authentic experience of rural life while creating long-term opportunities for the younger generation.
CSR Activity – Recycled Candle-Making from Coffee Grounds
Trei Nhoar’s Community-Based Tourism (CBT) site has also launched a new creative activity that blends sustainability with local flair. Visitors—including student groups, tour travellers, and corporate retreat participants—can now take part in a hands-on candle-making workshop using recycled materials. Coffee grounds, dried jasmine flowers, and pandan leaves are blended and poured into reused glass jars, transforming simple, discarded items into something beautiful and meaningful.
Guides like Mr. Thou see this activity as more than a fun craft. “I’m passionate about working closely with our local community and hosting diverse groups—from student tours to company retreats,” he shared. “Through these activities, I help others discover experiences they’ve never encountered before while also supporting my community’s growth.”
For him, these sessions are about creating connections—with people, places, and purposes.
Impact in Numbers
Since the launch of our monthly Community Development Report in February, Discova’s community initiatives in Trei Nhoar have achieved the following milestones:
101 participants hosted
Discova’s community initiatives have successfully hosted 101 participants since February.
93 solar lights installed
• 70 lights in the village stay area
• 23 lights at the village school
20 local activites facilitated
supporting cultural exchange and economic inclusion totalling USD 1,330.
9,428
in total community revenue was generated from homestays, guiding services, and meals.
These outcomes demonstrate the continued value of purpose-driven travel— delivering positive impact for host communities while deepening engagement for our travellers.
20 local activities facilitated details:
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about infrastructure or numbers—it’s about agency, dignity, and shared growth. The community-led development of the hub and its surrounding gardens reflects a deeper commitment to resilience, local ownership, and environmental care. Meanwhile, the introduction of creative, hands-on experiences enables visitors to engage with sustainability in meaningful ways. Together, these efforts bring Discova’s mission to life: connecting people and places through responsible, impact-driven travel.
Kok Na Sai Community
Saraburi, Thailand
Marketing Team Visits Kok Na Sai and Thai Yuan Community
Last month, Discova’s Marketing Team visited Kok Na Sai in Saraburi to experience how hands-on, community-led tourism can bring cultural heritage to life. Over two days, the team participated in farming, craft-making, cultural rituals, and traditional cooking—each experience highlighting the depth and resilience of the local Lao Vieng and Thai Yuan communities.
A key moment was participating in the traditional rice processing technique involving threshing, pounding, and winnowing.
“It’s one thing to hear about traditional rice processing and another to actually do it,” shared Amrita, Discova’s Content Manager. “You begin to understand the strength, precision, and rhythm it takes—every movement is a skill passed through generations. Being hands-on gave us a real appreciation for the people who grow our food.”
Earlier in the day, the team had joined farmers in planting rice in the paddies. Marketing Executive Raz reflected, “It gave us a new perspective and appreciation for food and where it comes from. You start to understand how much care and labour goes into every grain of rice.”
The connection between activities carried through to the community cooking class, where participants used ingredients, they harvested themselves.
As Francesca, Marketing Intern, noted: “Taking a look at the community’s garden and picking vegetables and herbs to actually cook with them brought the concept of farm to table to reality and reflects the sustainability in this project.”
Crafting Stories: Handicrafts as a Living Tradition
At Kok Na Sai and neighbouring Thai Yuan, local artisans have partnered with Discova to reimagine traditional crafts as meaningful, market-ready products. Each item carries cultural stories, passed down through generations and now shared through visitor workshops. These hands-on experiences transform souvenirs into storytelling and provide income-generating opportunities for artisans.
Why this matters:
These experiences show how tourism can move beyond observation into co-creation. By centring community ownership and inviting travellers into a respectful, participatory exchange, Kok Na Sai strengthens cultural continuity while building inclusive economic opportunities. Every grain planted, thread woven, and dish prepared becomes part of a shared story—grounded in tradition and guided by the community.
Seuang River Project
Pakkeng Village, Pakseng District, Laos
Standing Strong with Seuang River: Discova Laos Rebuilds in Pakkeng
When we commit to a community, it’s not just for a moment – it’s for the long haul.
Discova Laos recently reaffirmed this promise by returning to Pakkeng Village, part of the Seuang River Project, to repair bathroom facilities at Pakkeng High School. This site holds special significance for our team. Several years ago, our Discova Educational Travel (DET) groups helped construct this very bathroom, one of many infrastructure projects completed in collaboration with local communities across northern Laos.
In April, severe storms caused substantial damage to the structure. In response, our Luang Prabang team – together with educational travel staff and local guides – mobilised quickly. Supplies were delivered, repairs were made, and the bathroom is now fully operational, ensuring students once again have access to safe and hygienic facilities.
This initiative builds on years of meaningful partnership and is a reminder that our impact doesn’t end when a group departs, but continues through care, commitment, and community resilience.
An Invitation to Purpose-Driven Journeys
Across rice fields, weaving looms, forest temples, and village schools, this month’s stories reflect more than just the impact of travel – they reflect the power of partnership, intention, and shared purpose.
At Discova, we believe meaningful journeys build futures, preserve culture, and create lasting value. We invite you to join us – not as spectators but as co-creators of a more inclusive, sustainable, and human-centred tourism experience.
