Cyclos for Change: Cambodian Student Addressing Food Insecurity

In April 2021, there was a large outbreak of COVID-19 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the hometown of Hao Taing, ’23 MKTG. To prevent the spread of the infection across the country’s capital, Cambodia’s prime minister announced a strict stay-at-home order over the city for two weeks.

With this order, the city froze. Phnom Penh, which heavily relies on tourism, had people out of work, hungry, and searching for answers.

Taing was also stuck in Phnom Penh and sprang to action. He established Local4Local, a non-profit organization that connected food vendors with cyclo drivers to deliver food to those in need.

Cyclos are three-wheeled pedal-powered rickshaws that have long been popular for visitors in Cambodia. Taing, who has a scholarship to the Carlson School through the Dean’s Excellence Fund, came up with the idea to deliver food to the hardest-hit communities via the cyclos. His "Cyclo Food Pantry" initiative through Local4Local repurposes unused cyclos into mobile food stalls filled with nonperishable items and essentials.

Taing was able to raise more than $68,000 to employ workers, feed the hungry, and give back to his country.

“This is a project that has been close to my heart,” he says. “Growing up, my grandmother used to take me on the cyclo to markets and school. I think back to my memories of her and I want to honor her the best way that I can.”

His venture has now grown. Local4Local is a youth-led food drive initiative sustaining the livelihoods of cyclo drivers and supporting street dwellers in Cambodia. Going forward, his goal is to diminish food insecurity in Cambodia and to empower local cyclo drivers for sustainable employment. His work has led him to be featured on the Forbes “30 Under 30 - Asia - Social Impact” list and recognition from international media outlets.

As a Master of Marketing student at the Carlson School, Taing has used what he’s learned in the classroom and been able to apply it to his organization. Through experiential learning projects, he’s seeing firsthand how he can drive change in Local4Local going forward.

“My education from the Carlson School is a stepping stone towards my passion,” he says. “This is something that I want to do long-term. I have found passion in helping people with food insecurity and having a socioeconomic impact and what I’m learning now is helping me get there.”