Bodj n. taken from the French name for Cambodia: ‘Cambodge’
 Cambodia is a nation in the midst of change and development. After experiencing years of foreign domination, dictatorship, war and extreme poverty the country is at last on the road to recovery. Though steady progress has been made over the last decade there is still a significant way to go. Cambodia still remains one of the most impoverished nations in South East Asia.
The Bodj initiative was first conceived in 2001 when Ced Wells (under funding from The RSA and The British Council) travelled to Cambodia to work for a fair trade business support organisation, Bright Arrows Development Ltd.
Upon his return to the UK the family business A.J Wells & Sons Ltd got involved. As a long established British manufacturer of wood burning stoves the company decided to support one of the villages’ mini enterprise by selling their terracotta tiles. The product married well with the wood stoves and hence ‘Bodj’ was born.
Since then Bodj has increased the range of tiles and taken on another 2 projects: basketwares and an ironworking facility.
Bodj aim to continue to assist in building up these and other communities with carefully monitored fair trade practices: to relieve poverty and to improve social and environmental conditions - while respecting the culture and environment these villagers live in.
Bodj continue to work in partnership with Bright Arrows Development Ltd. developing local businesses for Cambodia's indigenous population. Based in Phnom Penh, they closely monitor each project with regular visits and support.
With all bodj products we aim to strike a balance by appyling the western design practicalities with Cambodian age old traditions.
Bodj is based on the Isle of Wight in the south of the UK and is a division of A.J Wells & Sons Ltd. Click here to find out more |
