Since 2012, Hannes has been helping children and families in Cambodia, one of the poorest countries in the world, through the non-profit association Smiling Gecko. In recognition of his exemplary commitment to the people of the slums of Phnom Penh, he was honoured with a Honorary Doctorate in April 2018 by the University of Zurich. Much of his time is now spent on building and shaping sustainable possibilities for those in need.
I came to Cambodia years ago, I was upset to witness the realities of the poorest families here. Unable to understand and accept the reasons for such poverty, oft within a short distance from 5 star hotels and booming businesses, I started on a journey which I had never imagined to be so moving for me, a journey into a forgotten world. The disparity between the two worlds I live in has left different impacts on me. One led to the creation of Smiling Gecko, an NGO which you could read more about at smilinggecko.ch.
Hannes Schmid