The Stong community programme
The Stong community development programme is located in the
Stong district, in the west of Kompong Thom province. The programme
reaches 24 villages, with a total population 7645. World Vision’s
partnership with the Stong community started in 2007 and is
envisaged to continue until 2021, when the community will be fully
equipped with the resources and skills to take ownership of its own
development. In the past year, significant improvements were made
in the current focus areas of food and nutrition, and education and
water.
Issues covered: Community
mobilisation, health and nutrition
Updates on World Vision's work
Food security and nutrition
- With training support from the Provincial Department of
Agriculture, 350 families have learned how to make their own
organic compost from kitchen waste and cattle dung to use as
fertiliser in rice fields. This not only improves crops yields, but
also reduces the use of expensive chemical fertilisers.
- 545 community members from 15 villages, including breastfeeding
women and 178 children, received training in nutrition, as well as
training in sourcing, growing and preparing nutritious meals.
Education and water
- World Vision and the community together conducted six education
awareness-raising campaigns in nine villages. A total of 770
people, including children, attended. As a result, school enrolment
has increased from 82 per cent to 88 per cent in the past year. In
addition, student councils were introduced to five primary schools
to help improve the learning environment for pupils.
- Co-operating with the district office of rural development,
training in the maintenance of water facilities was given to
members from ten water and sanitation user groups, water management
committees, and school water committees. Encouraged by these
committees, community members then raised funds to purchase ceramic
filters for 647 households in ten villages, as well as for schools,
benefiting 700 students.
The Stong community is in the sixteenth year of its development
journey with World Vision.
Life on
the ground in Stong
Farmer of the year not daunted by his
blindness
Khien Phean, 46, with his wife, daughter,
and the family's chickens.
"I can see clearly, even though I'm blind," says farmer Khien
Phean, 46, who has been voted best farmer of the year by his
community for the inspirational way in which he has been overcoming
difficulties in his life, and supporting his community. Some years
ago, Phean, who is married with two children, lost his eyesight
when a bomb left from the US-Vietnam War exploded in a field he was
ploughing. Phean also lost three fingers and two buffalo. The
strain of poverty put a lot of pressure on his family. In 2006,
when World Vision started working in Phean's village, he and his
family joined in the project activities. They have become active
members of the community mobilisation and food security projects,
and are growing vegetables, raising chickens, and making their own
compost to improve their soil and crops. Phean's family members now
have enough food and enjoy good health, as they are using a water
filter, and have installed a new latrine. "I am very happy that we
have improved our livelihood," says Phean. Since he cares so much
about the well-being of his community, the members have elected him
as children's club committee manager. "Thanks to World Vision for
giving me a chance to learn and change my family life. I am going
to do my best to encourage my son and daughter to graduate high
school, and become teachers. I will also continue to share with my
community what I have learned," says Phean.
Cambodia at a glance
Cambodia is slowly recovering from devastation caused by the
Khmer Rouge and civil war. An estimated six million undetonated
landmines still dot the countryside, covering land that could be
used for agriculture and causing hundreds of injuries and deaths
every year.
Thanks to World Vision for giving me a chance to learn and
change my family life. I will also continue to share with my
community what I have learned.
- Khien Phean, 46, who has been voted best farmer
of the year