The Altruistic Traveller
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism?
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Organisations & Experiences
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About
    • Bianca’s Story
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
  • Contribute
    • List a Sustainable Tourism Organisation or Experience
  • Contact Me

The Altruistic Traveller

Banner
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Cambodia
    • Colombia
    • Europe
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Laos
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Myanmar
    • Mexico
    • Nepal
    • Philippines
    • Thailand
    • Vietnam
  • Travel Resources
    • What is Responsible Tourism?
    • How to be a Sustainable Traveller
    • What is Community-based Tourism
    • Responsible Volunteering
    • The Rise of Impact Travel
    • Ethical Animal Encounters
    • The Importance of Fair Trade
    • Responsible Travel Websites
    • Sustainable Tourism Organisations & Experiences
    • Sustainable Tourism Podcasts
    • Travel Insurance (that covers COVID-19)
  • About
    • Bianca’s Story
    • The Altruistic Traveller Story
    • Personal Stories
    • Podcast Interviews
  • Media
    • Featured In
    • Work with me
  • Contribute
    • List a Sustainable Tourism Organisation or Experience
  • Contact Me

Finding & Rebuilding Community in Nepal with Conscious Impact

How To Be An Advocate For Accessibility & Inclusion In Travel

What Trends Are Shaping Sustainable Travel In 2022?

The female-led enterprises helping solo female travellers to travel safely

Responsible Wildlife Tours Helping to Protect Our Species This Earth Day

Websites For Finding Local Experiences While You Travel

    AltruismCambodia

    Why The Beatocello Concert is a Must See When You Visit Siem Reap

    by Bianca Caruana January 10, 2016October 15, 2018
    written by Bianca Caruana
    Why The Beatocello Concert is a Must See When You Visit Siem Reap

    There are some people that leave an incredible mark on this world, some people that dedicate their lives to the wellbeing of others, some people that touch the lives of everyone they come into contact with. Today one of those people is Beat Richner.

    You may have heard of him, you may have not. Either way you will be touched by his story. The Cello playing Paediatrician from Zurich Switzerland, whose passion and dedication in the past 24 years has helped to save the lives of over 1.6 million seriously ill children in Cambodia.

    In 1991, Dr. Richner came to Cambodia for the second time to assist in rebuilding the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital, which had been destroyed during the war of the Khmer Rouge. He left his life in Switzerland and dedicated it to the reconstruction and management of the hospital, which would go on to provide urgent medical assistance to over 300 sick children per day. Since the first hospital opened in 1991, with the support of private donors from around the world, Dr. Richner has assisted with the development of 4 more hospitals throughout Cambodia, which today still provide free access to crucial healthcare for Cambodia’s most vulnerable.

     

    Beatocello

     

    These days you will find Dr. Richner performing a Cello concert every Saturday evening in the Jayavaraman VII Children’s Hospital Concert Hall in Siem Reap. He dedicates this time and beautiful Cello skills to tourists as a way to generate donations that will go towards the hospital’s expenses and continue to help the people of Cambodia. Here are a few reasons why it’s an experience not to be missed.

     

    You help the children of Cambodia

    The main reason that Dr. Richner performs his concert every Saturday is really for the children. The hospital’s annual budget is over 43 million dollars (US), which includes salaries for over 2500 staff and medical care for over 300,000 children. It’s hard to believe that 85% of that budget comes from private donations and only 15% from government organisations, but sadly this is the case. That is why every donation you make counts and goes towards helping a child in Cambodia receive the health care they need.

     

    You learn about Cambodia’s past and present

    Having lived in Cambodia for the past 23 years, Dr. Richner has quite the knowledge about Cambodia’s past and present. You won’t just get Cello show but also a knowledgeable insight into Cambodia’s current political and social complexities, especially in the health division. Although remaining ‘politically correct’, Dr. Richner touches on some important aspects of Cambodia’s (and the world’s) health policies that leave us very much apprehensive and perplexed.

     

    You get a humorous performance

    Having been quite the musical comedian in his time, Dr. Richner will be sure to put on a show full of witty remarks and comedic behaviour. Speaking a variety of languages including Swiss, German, French and English, and with considerable knowledge of world politics, be prepared to get picked out of the crowd for some innocuous humour.

     

    You hear the sweet sounds of the Cello

    Dr. Richner goes by the stage name of Beatocello, which comes from the combination of his first name and his favourite instrument, the Italian Cello. Having played the Cello for most of his adult life he is quite the performer and will put on a beautiful show of bittersweet, soulful music to your ears and to your heart, telling the story of the people of Cambodia through each of his performances.

     

    Concert

     

    If you are in Siem Reap on a Saturday night I highly recommended heading over to the concert. It runs every Saturday from 7:15pm to 9:10pm and the entrance is free, however donations are always needed. It really is an inspiring story and one that gives you an understanding of the hardships that Cambodia have faced in the past and still face today. It also gives you hope for the future and allows you to contribute to such a meaningful cause. As Dr. Richner said, “Our hospitals are an island of justice and peace in Cambodia”, and his hope is to spread that justice and peace throughout all other parts of the country. That is our hope as well.

    You can find out more about Dr. Richner on his website or donate directly to supporting the hospitals here.

     

    Dr. Richner Photo : www.titoni.ch

     

     

    January 10, 2016October 15, 2018 0 comment
    FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinRedditStumbleuponEmail
  • Cambodia

    5 Things That Happen When You Travel Through Rural Cambodia

    by Bianca Caruana January 6, 2016October 13, 2021
    January 6, 2016October 13, 2021

    Have any of these things ever happened to you when travelling through rural Cambodia?

  • Travel Inspiration

    Travelling – Why the Best Plan is No Plan

    by Bianca Caruana January 2, 2016October 13, 2021
    January 2, 2016October 13, 2021

    Travelling – Why the Best Plan is No Plan

  • CambodiaEthical Eateries

    Food for Good – Ethical Eateries in Phnom Penh

    by Bianca Caruana December 30, 2015October 7, 2018
    December 30, 2015October 7, 2018

    A list of the ethical eateries in Phnom Penh Cambodia that are giving more than just a meal. Have you visited any of these ethical eateries?

  • CambodiaResponsible Tourism

    An altruistic guide to travel in Sihanoukville

    by Bianca Caruana December 11, 2015October 7, 2018
    December 11, 2015October 7, 2018

    A guide to seeing Sihanoukville’s calmer alter ego and giving back to the community. Where to eat, where to shop and what to do in this seaside city.

  • CambodiaPersonal Stories

    The one where I trekked for two and a half days in the jungles of Cambodia

    by Bianca Caruana December 8, 2015October 13, 2021
    December 8, 2015October 13, 2021

    A two and a half day jungle trekking experience in the Cardamom Mountains Cambodia

  • CambodiaCommunity DevelopmentResponsible Tourism

    Chi Phat Cambodia – How community based tourism is changing the lives of rural Cambodia

    by Bianca Caruana December 7, 2015October 7, 2018
    December 7, 2015October 7, 2018

    This remote village in Cambodia’s west is changing lives through community based tourism. Read how.

  • Personal StoriesThailand

    The one in Koh Chang – A small taste of the old Thailand

    by Bianca Caruana December 7, 2015October 13, 2021
    December 7, 2015October 13, 2021

    Koh Chang – A small taste of the old Thailand

  • Local ToursPersonal StoriesThailand

    The one where I celebrated Loy Krathong Festival in Thailand

    by Bianca Caruana November 29, 2015October 13, 2021
    November 29, 2015October 13, 2021

    Loy Krathong Festival Thailand – Just like a local

  • Ethical EateriesThailand

    Ethical Eateries in Bangkok, Thailand

    by Bianca Caruana November 28, 2015October 7, 2018
    November 28, 2015October 7, 2018

    Ethical eateries in Bangkok that give back to the community.

  • Animal FriendlyMalaysiaVolunteering

    How Travellers Can Help the Animal Community in Langkawi Malaysia

    by Bianca Caruana November 23, 2015October 7, 2018
    November 23, 2015October 7, 2018

    How travellers can help the animal community in Langkawi Malaysia by visiting LASSie, an animal rescue centre here on the island.

  • Animal FriendlyMalaysia

    Penang, Malaysia – For the love of Food, Art and Cats

    by Bianca Caruana November 18, 2015October 7, 2018
    November 18, 2015October 7, 2018

    Penang – For the love of Food, Art and Cats

  • Malaysia

    Why the Cameron Highlands is a Must See for Nature Lovers

    by Bianca Caruana November 16, 2015
    November 16, 2015

    Organic farms, jungle trekking and locally grown produce. What more could a nature lover want from the Cameron Highlands?

  • MalaysiaPersonal Stories

    The one where Kuala Lumpur taught me about multi-cultural understanding

    by Bianca Caruana November 15, 2015July 2, 2019
    November 15, 2015July 2, 2019

    What I learned from the melting pot of cultural diversity that is Kuala Lumpur

  • Personal StoriesTravel Inspiration

    The one about the beginning of The Altruistic Traveller

    by Bianca Caruana August 10, 2015October 31, 2022
    August 10, 2015October 31, 2022

    You can stay comfortable doing something that is satisfactory, or you can step out of that comfort zone and do something that’s extraordinary.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

About Bianca

About Bianca

The Altruistic Traveller

I am an Australian-Maltese blogger & podcast host specialising in stories that ignite thoughts surrounding compassion, ethics and sustainability. Through my work, I aim to promote ethical values and offer this platform as a space to share stories that shape our future for the better.

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Linkedin Spotify

Newsletter Sign-up

Sign up for the latest news & content from The Altruistic Traveller [no spam ever ;)]

Please wait...

Thank you. You're beautiful.

Listen to The Altruistic Traveller Podcast

2022 Award Winner

The Altruistic Traveller has been included by Twinkl as one of their picks for Top Sustainability Blogs 2022.

House Sit & Travel The World

trusted-housesitters

Save $$$ on your currency conversion while you travel

Transfer-wise

Offset Your Travel with Offsetra

Offset Your Travel with Offsetra

Get Travel Insurance

incurance-that-covers-covid-19

Learn a language online with Live Lingua

Get green hosting for your website

Browse Sustainable Accommodation options

social-bnb

JOIN THE IMPACT TRAVEL ALLIANCE MEDIA NETWORK

Are you a content creator specialising in sustainable travel? Join the ITA media network.

Donate a meal to someone in need

sharethemeal web graphic_0

Book Travel with Kiwi


Learn how to become location independent

Use code thealtruistictraveller10 for 10% off courses

NomadsSkillshare

Dine with Locals on EatWith

eat-with-coupon-7B728BBE

Find Ethical Food Venues Nearest to you with Fair Food Forager

fair-food-forager

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Email
  • Soundcloud
  • Spotify
  • RSS

@2022 - The Altruistic Traveller. Developed by Cybernite Technologies and sustainably hosted by Green Geeks.
The Altruistic Traveller uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase using a link, I may receive a commission. Such revenue helps keep this website running, and allows me to keep the content free for readers like you.
This website uses cookies. To learn more or opt-out please visit my Privacy Policy.


Back To Top