Cambodia Tbong Khmum
$30,418 needed of $38,078
Implementing Organization
World Hope International (WHI)
Program Summary
The Tbong Khmum Livelihood Project aims to create livelihood opportunities for vulnerable communities to help improve their household incomes and reduce their vulnerabilities to exploitation, unsafe migration and help prevent human trafficking through improved access to agricultural and non-agricultural skills development in selected communities in Dombae District, Tbong Khmum Province.
The main component of the project is to develop market-driven agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises using appropriate approaches being tested with model farmers in the current on-farm trials in Kork Srok commune, Dombae District.
To help reduce unsafe migration, human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable families resulting from the impact of COVID19 to poor households, awareness raising is extended to schools as additional prevention activities. Small groups of men and women are established in communities for Keeping Safe activities.
Capacity building of service providers and social workers is being implemented for a more trauma-sensitive client-centered approach as they respond to the needs of survivors of human trafficking, exploitation and sexual and gender-based violence.
Success Stories
Small Investment, Big Rewards
A small startup investment from World Hope International Cambodia plus some agricultural training has been transformational for Sokhun and her family. They no longer have to migrate to find work and are finally free from the burden of an unpayable debt. Sokhun feels so much joy and happiness now because she can be home again, taking care of her children and supporting them at school by earning enough on the family’s farm to cover their expenses.
Income from their small farm was never enough to sustain the family. Unexpected expenses and the urgent need to borrow money kept them in poverty with no hope of paying off the debt. To keep up with their minimum payments, Sokhun and her husband had to leave their children with neighbors as they migrated to another province to work in construction. Their eldest daughter also left home to work in a laundry over 300 miles away. Parents and daughter could only get away once every two or three months to be with the rest of the family.
When World Hope was assessing Sokhun’s needs she showed real potential in agriculture production, demonstrating commitment and a willingness to be innovative. She received training in installing and using a drip irrigation system, making compost and controlling pests and diseases in her vegetable crops with organic pesticides. With a small amount of startup support for seeds, irrigation materials and mulch, Sokhun was able to expand her production area and improve her yields. She’s now earning enough to cover the family’s expenses, they’ve completely paid off their debt, and can even put a little away each month.
Sokhun says, “I’m happy and very grateful for all the encouragement, counsel and support I’ve received.” She’s working hard to earn enough to ensure that all her children will be able to be university graduates one day.
Cambodia Tbong Khmum Program
Led by World Hope International