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Kambodscha 2025
Wieder nach Kambodscha zurückzukehren, bedeutet für mich jedes Mal ein Ankommen – bei den Frauen, ihren Geschichten, ihrer Energie. Die Unternehmerinnen, mit denen ich wieder arbeiten durfte, sind Teil einer wachsenden Bewegung. In einem Land, in dem Frauen noch immer viele Hürden überwinden müssen, halten sie dennoch die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung aufrecht, fast immer unter enormem persönlichem Druck. Genau deshalb ist die Arbeit des GIZ-ICONE-Programms so bedeutend – es schafft Räume, in denen Frauen wachsen dürfen: fachlich, unternehmerisch und vor allem innerlich.
Cambodia 2025
Returning to Cambodia always feels like coming home to me – to the women, their stories and their energy. The female entrepreneurs I had the privilege of working with again are part of a growing movement. In a country where women still have to overcome many hurdles, they nevertheless keep the economy going, almost always under enormous personal pressure. This is precisely why the work of the GIZ-ICONE programme is so important – it creates spaces where women can grow: professionally, entrepreneurially and, above all, internally.
Einzelcoachings
Wie schon bei meinen früheren Besuchen war auch diesmal die Mischung aus Nähe und Herausforderung in den Einzelcoachings entscheidend. Meine Methodik soll ihnen nicht nur Wissen vermitteln, sondern Räume öffnen – Räume für Selbstvertrauen, innere Stärke, Klarheit. In den Coachings standen erneut Themen im Mittelpunkt, die für viele dieser Frauen sehr wichtig sind:
Die drei Wochen waren – wie schon so oft – ernst, lustig, besonders beim Karaoke, intensiv und manchmal schmerzlich frustrierend. Nicht, weil es an Einsatz oder Offenheit fehlte. Ganz im Gegenteil: Die Frauen arbeiten mit beeindruckender Bereitschaft an sich und ihren Visionen. Was frustriert, ist das Umfeld: Kreditschulden, tradierte Rollenbilder, ein Alltag, der sie kaum atmen lässt – und den sie trotzdem mit Stärke und Würde meistern.
Und gerade deshalb sind diese Unternehmerinnen für mich Heldinnen.
Individual coaching
As on my previous visits, the combination of closeness and challenge in the individual coaching sessions was crucial. My methodology is not only intended to impart knowledge, but also to open up spaces – spaces for self-confidence, inner strength and clarity. Once again, the coaching sessions focused on topics that are very important to many of these women:
• Self-care
• Setting priorities and maintaining boundaries
• Dealing with stress between family, tradition and financial obligations
• Creative inspiration to keep the courage to follow your own path alive
As so often before, the three weeks were serious, funny, especially during karaoke, intense and sometimes painfully frustrating. Not because of a lack of commitment or openness. Quite the contrary: the women work on themselves and their visions with impressive willingness. What is frustrating is the environment: credit debts, traditional role models, a daily routine that leaves them barely able to breathe – and yet they master it with strength and dignity.
And that is precisely why these entrepreneurs are heroines to me.
Die Weiterentwicklung der Business Clinic
Besonders bewegend war die Weiterentwicklung der Business Clinic. Dort gestalten die bereits erfahreneren Unternehmerinnen nun eigene Programme für Gründerinnen – eine Art Weitergabe von Mut. Wissen aus erster Hand, getragen von Solidarität und dem Wunsch, andere Frauen nicht allein zu lassen.
Es war unglaublich zu sehen, wie Ideen Form annahmen, wie Frauen sich gegenseitig stärkten, wie aus Unsicherheit ein vorsichtiges, aber echtes Selbstbewusstsein wurde.
The further development of the Business Clinic
The further development of the Business Clinic was particularly moving. There, the more experienced entrepreneurs are now designing their own programmes for female founders – a kind of passing on of courage. First-hand knowledge, supported by solidarity and the desire not to leave other women alone.
It was incredible to see how ideas took shape, how women strengthened each other, how uncertainty turned into cautious but genuine self-confidence.
Und jetzt lasse ich die Frauen sprechen mit ihren Stimmen
And now I'll let the women speak with their own voices
Dear Heike,
After the coaching session, we gathered feedback, and I am pleased to share it with you. Overall, the feedback was very positive and reflected how much the participants appreciated your time, effort, and insights.
In terms of business-related learning, participants mentioned that you contributed valuable experience and practical knowledge. Even though you may not have extensive experience specifically in the fruit-selling business, you provided creative and relevant ideas that helped us see new ways to improve our operations. Your explanations were very clear, easy to follow, and realistic. Many participants mentioned that some of your suggestions, although simple, were fresh and practical, and they plan to apply them in their daily business activities for improvement.
Regarding real-life management, participants were equally inspired. They appreciated your advice on maintaining a balanced and happy life, learning to enjoy every moment, and focusing on smart work rather than just hard work. Your insights about parenting, especially understanding children’s unique talents and preferences, were also well received. In addition, the Idea Board you introduced was considered a very effective and creative tool for brainstorming, which the participants found extremely useful for both their personal and professional development.
As a constructive suggestion, participants felt that the 60-minute coaching session was too short, as the discussion was engaging and meaningful. They expressed interest in having more time in future sessions—ideally around 120 minutes—to allow deeper discussion, reflection, and more opportunities for interaction.
Once again, we truly appreciate your inspiring coaching session. It was not only informative but also motivating and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Warm regards,
Rachana
Dear Heike,
I want to express my sincere appreciation for the clarity and direction provided during our first two coaching sessions last month. The impact of your guidance has been immediate, offering both professional strategy and personal empowerment as I focus on leveling up CWE TRAVEL.
1. Empowerment Through Personal Experience
One of the most impactful moments was your openness in sharing your own experience as a female coach starting your career. Hearing the specific challenges and triumphs you navigated and how you successfully built your personal entity was profoundly empowering. It provided me with a tangible, relatable role model and significantly boosted my confidence in embracing my own journey and leadership within CWE TRAVEL.
2. Focus and Motivation via the Vision Board
The practical exercise of developing a vision board for CWE TRAVEL was instrumental. Prior to this, my goals felt broad, but the board has provided a visual, centralized source of focus and motivation. It now serves as a daily anchor, helping me prioritize tasks that directly contribute to our long-term objectives and ensuring my energy remains concentrated on the most impactful areas of the business.
3. New Perspectives on Strategy and Finance
Your ability to offer a fresh perspective on business inspiration and the strategic search for financial resources was invaluable. You shifted my thinking beyond immediate operations and encouraged a more proactive approach to scaling. Specifically, your suggestions regarding alternative funding pathways and aligning business inspiration with market trends have opened up promising new avenues we can pursue to successfully level up CWE TRAVEL.
4. Clarity in Social Media Presence
Finally, the actionable advice on leveraging social media to communicate who I am and what CWE TRAVEL does was excellent. You helped clarify the necessity of linking my personal story to the company's mission. This guidance ensures that our online presence is not just a marketing tool, but a clear, compelling narrative that builds trust and authentically connects us with our target audience.
In summary, these sessions have been transformative, offering both structured guidance and deep personal encouragement. Thank you for your continued support and insight.
Sincerely,
Hong Ho CWE TRAVEL Representative
Ein großes Dankeschön an das gesamte GIZ-Team, insbesondere Phalla, die mich dieses Mal begleitet und unterstützt hat, an meinen Dolmetscher Dara und an das Team vom Urban Treeline Resort, meinem absoluten Lieblingshotel in Siem Reap.
A big thank you to the entire GIZ team, especially Phalla, who accompanied and supported me this time, to my interpreter Dara, and to the team at the Urban Treeline Resort, my absolute favourite hotel in Siem Reap.
