The event ran from 9 am until 4 pm, with Halloween activities including trick-or-treating, costume parties, cupcake decorations, snacks on fried spiders, children games, coloring, and watching Halloween cartoons and movies.

Guests enjoyed an array of food & beverage from the Himawari chef and team. They also enjoyed many types of games at game stalls and craft booths like face painting, clay art, song, and dance, and there was even a bouncy castle, which proved very popular.

During Children’s Halloween Party, Mr. Andrew Tay, Director of Himawari Hotel Apartments, mentioned that the luxury hotel apartment was in operation for over 20 years and took this opportunity to share his experience during the pandemic of COVID-19.

This year since the Covid-19, it started in China and, after that, spread around the world. And when COVID-19 struck Cambodia, it became challenging and affected many hotels and restaurants in the hospitality industry. But for Himawari Hotel Apartments, they remained open for business. They followed the SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and recommendations issued by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia.

At this Children’s Halloween Party, Himawari Hotel Apartments ensure guests’ had their temperatures checked, hands sanitized, and masks were provided free. Volunteers from the St John Phnom Penh, who was also present, provided first aid coverage and taught how to do bandaging for little ones. Besides the above, all guests, staff, and volunteers were encouraged to follow social distancing measures and one-way flow signage.

Mr. Andrew Tay, Director of Himawari Hotel Apartments, said, “Himawari has been in operation for 20 years already. Yes! In the early days of the COVID-19 period, all hotels have been affected, those that are not doing well were closed, but for Himawari Hotel Apartments, we always have been open for business, and most of our staff are currently back to work. Still, we have our SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and recommendations issued by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia for a Safe Tourism Accommodation Safety Measures.”

Mr. Andrew Tay added more for the Himawari Hotel Apartments was to change strategies during a difficult time, and he thinks all the hotels and apartments still in Cambodia should have a plan like Himawari Hotel Apartments. Right now, The hotel planning how to be inclusive in the travel bubble plan and also for him to continue to engage online travel agencies, corporate companies, and overseas agencies and encourage them to come back to Cambodia. 

Himawari Hotel Apartments has been organizing the annual Children’s Halloween Party for more than five years until now. This time it’s unique as Himawari cooperated with The Giving Tree International School, which helped organize this event, The Fly Phnom Penh, which set up the bounding castle for children to enjoy. One of the F&B company Livcomo Overseas Import Export Pte Ltd, also cooperated with Himawari. They came together to participate in the event and welcome the community to enjoy themselves during this COVID period. 

Our daily operations are almost back to normal for Himawari Hotel Apartment, but we are still in survival mode and have to stay prudent in our operations. As the hotel director, he appreciates MOT (Ministry of Tourism) working hard to get everything back to normal. He also hopes to recovery back in one year or two years. Hopefully, the tourism market can become routine as the last time or even better just before the upcoming SEA Games in Cambodia.

Mr. Andrew Tay said, “Today we are expecting around the total 500 participate coming here that about hundred over adult and hundred over children that will be coming to Himawari Hotel Today. Yes, I expect about 50% of people they are coming here are local people, and the others 50% actually foreigner have been staying here and working here.” 

We hope that during COVID-19 and many people who also suffered from the floods in Cambodia, we hope everybody stays safe, stays healthy, and keeps yourself strong. Do not let your guard down and, at the same time, help one another during the period of COVID-19 and flood. Through our CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) program, Himawari Hotel Apartments have recently donated rice and drinking water for the flood victims.

Photo by: Sakura Engly

It was a successful mission and St John Phnom Penh donated a complete first aid box to the school and the teachers have the skills and equipment to handle emergencies.

In addition to the first aid training, St John Corps Surgeon, Dr. Indravina Tan, Managing Director of Davalda Medical Center, donated rice to 10 disadvantaged families in the community through the food aid program of LWBF. The members were also about to provide practical first aid care to the villagers.

About LWBF: Love Without Boundaries established in 2003, is an authentic international charity that provides hope and healing to orphaned and vulnerable children, and their underserved communities, through its education, nutrition, medical, and foster care programs.

LWBF has made a commitment to the children in several rural villages along the border region with the following initiatives. Establish “Believe in Me” schools so all children can have access to education, implement a daily hot lunch program for those in our schools, Provide loving foster care for children who are orphaned or who have suffered the trauma of trafficking, Deliver pediatric medical services to those with unmet needs And provide secondary and higher education opportunities to rural teens.

Every child in this region deserves the most basic rights of education, medical care, and good nutrition. Sponsorship opportunities can be found at the LWBF program sponsorship website www.lovewithoutboundaries.com

Photo by: Supplied 

Photo by: Supplied 

The efforts were part of iAPSS Group and Himawari Hotel Apartments’ corporate social responsibility initiative to reach out to communities during this COVID-19 crisis.

Photo by: Supplied 

The Gala was attended by St John Phnom Penh Officers, NCOs, members, and trainees. The special occasion was to offer a certificate of appreciation, an appreciation award and also to present Certificates of Promotion and First Aid Certificates to the organization’s members .

The event showcased the special Christmas performance by students from the Emmanuel Community School and also a Christmas performance by the Oreshko Family from Russia. St John Phnom Penh Officers, NCOs, members, and trainees, were very excited about the lucky drawing during gala dinner and they also enjoyed a sumptuous dinner.

St John Phnom Penh has performed frequently in Zone 2 for the public duties, especially some of the more notable duties such as F1 Singapore Grand Prix, Phnom Penh International Half Marathon, and the Love Phnom Penh Festival.

Photo by: Sakura