By Patricia Woeber

Instead of flaunting their wealth like millionaires of years gone by, today's philanthropists are seeking satisfying projects where they can see tangible and beneficial results from the money they provide — such as Angelina Jolie's adoptions and philanthropy on behalf of UNICEF. Brad Pitt has labored for New Orleans, George Clooney has concerned himself with Darfur and Oprah Winfrey built a school for girls in South Africa. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for education and world health, which includes funds from Warren Buffett, are especially noteworthy.

Sometimes these people stumble across projects that inspire them when they are traveling, so it comes as no surprise to discover that some visitors to the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor in Cambodia have been so deeply moved and impressed that they have helped to support reconstructions.

Sadly, no place has been so badly served by history and man as this gigantic Buddhist-Hindu complex. Despite the brutal regime of the communist Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979 and the encroaching jungle, many monuments have survived. But some areas are still in urgent need of restoration and preservation. As a result, skilled conservators have tackled the restoration of this unique legacy as a gift to the world.

In Cambodia at Angkor Wat (the largest temple complex), my guide explained that several countries have adopted certain temples. For example, the Germans are funding some renovations of the apsaras (bas-relief sculptures of dancing females believed to be celestial nymphs). The Chinese are devoted to preserving Ta Prohm temple; the Italians chose Pre Rup; the French opted for Baphuon; and the Belgians, Swiss and other nationalities are repairing other temple sites.

At Preah Khan temple 72 imposing garudas (birdlike sculptures) stand as protecting figures, but several of them urgently need restoring. Now individuals, couples, groups and corporations are helping through the World Monuments Fund's "Adopt a Garuda" program, which encourages donations of $25,000.

I asked one donor what had inspired her contribution.

"In 1992, we were overwhelmed by the complex beauty of the temple sites surrounding Siem Reap and yet truly concerned about their preservation," she told me. "When we were able to return 10 years later there was evidence of great progress with obvious infrastructure improvements, more conservation work under way and an overall sensitivity to the impact of dramatically increased tourism.

"It was during this visit that we became better aware of the World Monuments Fund's active involvement with the conservation of Preah Khan and of its Adopt-a-Garuda program. As tourists, we always felt that we took away more than we gave back, and this seemed a marvelous opportunity to make a tangible contribution."

Many Americans have also privately donated through the World Monuments Fund that is restoring the gallery housing the celebrated "Churning of the Sea of Milk" bas-relief at Phnom Bakheng temple.

I also met an Austrian couple on their way to Burma to finance a well in a small outlying village, and every year they return to build another somewhere else. In Gambia, Philippa Gregory (author of "The Other Boleyn Girl" and numerous other historical romances) visited a village and discovered it was without a well. She funded one for a about $400 and since then has returned and financed close to 100 more wells.

In 1998 the "Robert W. Wilson Challenge to Conserve Our Heritage," a gift of $100 million disbursed over 10 years, has provided support for dozens of projects in Asia, Europe and Latin America. The WMF has restored complexes at Angkor; monuments at Luxor, Egypt; projects in Venice; and historic Abruzzo, Italy, after the earthquake.

Donors also include corporations such as the Tiffany and Co. Foundation, which supported the restoration of Juanzinzhai in the Forbidden City's Qianlong Garden, Beijing, and the Japanese Imperial Buddhist Convents.

WMF has partnered with American Express to preserve historic sites that include St. Paul's Cathedral in London, Mexico City's Historic Center and a heritage route in Delhi, India.

Geographic Expeditions, a tour company based in San Francisco, told me, "Donors, especially those who have given a significant amount to a specific project, enjoy seeing tangible results. In Bhutan, an American software executive surprised his wife with a $1 million gift in her honor for a nunnery to support work in a monastery."

WHEN YOU GO

For more information about sites around the world being restored by the World Monuments Fund, visit www.wmf.org.

Geographic Expeditions is a good way to tour countries where there are World Heritage Sites: www.geoex.com.

(set caption2) Nearly 2,000 asparas (celestial nymphs) were carved into Cambodia's Angkor Wat. Photo courtesy of Patricia Woeber. (end caption2)

(set caption3) At Ta Prohm ("the kingdom of the tree") in Cambodia massive roots of silk-cotton trees combined with strangler figs have grown like tentacles over the walls. Photo courtesy of Patricia Woeber. (end caption3)

Patricia Woeber is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.