M'Lop Tapang Travel Guide

M’Lop Tapang is an NGO in Sihanoukville that works with local street children. They help more than 2,000 children get the nourishment, shelter and medical care they need.

In Khmer, M’Lop means ‘shade’ and Tapang is a kind of tree. The organization hopes that by providing street children and their families with shelter, resources and funding, they can help these children transition from the streets of Sihanoukville into more dynamic community roles.

The best way for tourists to get involved is to visit the shop run by the NGO. It sells handicrafts and gifts made by the children, with all the proceeds feeding back into the organization. This lets the children work in a supportive environment, rather than spending days hawking their wares on the beach. It also frees them up so that they can go to school.

The shop is located on Serendipity Beach, which sits on the northern stretch of Occheuteal Beach. The entire area is a popular place to be based, with plenty of hotels, thatched umbrellas and beach bars in the area. Visitors can support the project by purchasing gifts and handicrafts. Facilities are in place for visitors to volunteer or leave a donation if they like.

In brief

What is it? An NGO that looks after street kids and their families in Sihanoukville.


Opening hours: 09:00 to 17:00, daily.


Entrance fees: no entrance fee.


Address/website: www.mloptapang.org.

Where: about 500 feet inland on the road that leads to Serendipity Beach, Sihanoukville.

How to get there: walk from any hotel on Serendipity or Occheuteal beaches in Sihanoukville, which can be reached from Phnom Penh in 4 hours by taxi or bus.