Cambodia, Kandal & Prey Veng Community Development and Long-term Plans August, 2014 Present Realities The population of Kandal is 1,265,085 dispersed over an area of 20.23 sq. km, 15% of which are below the age of 15 and 45% of which live in rural farming areas. Prey Veng province is located on the far side of the Mekong River in southeastern Cambodia. It is lush and 60 km from the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. The population is 947,357 spread over 4,883 sq. km. Kandal and Prey Veng were greatly impacted by the civil war, as the Khmer Rouge ravaged the country killing many innocent people and destroying a vibrant society. Due to this catastrophe, the people of Cambodia have suffered a terrible set back as they lost everything and were plunged deep into poverty and hardship which persist today. Since 1993, AOC has been working with the community members of Kandal and Prey Veng to develop a sense of personal and community responsibility so that they will take action in seeing their communities holistically transformed. Country Facts Country: Cambodia Provinces: Kandal and Prey Veng Districts: 11 and 12 Villages: 1,087 and 1,139 Languages: Khmer Partner Ministry Asian Outreach Cambodia (AOC) is a Christian, non-political, non-profit, International Non-Government Organization (INGO) based in Cambodia. AOC is an associated member of Asian Outreach Alliance (AOA). AOC’s mission is to equip and empower rural communities through training and resource development in education and life skills, health and hygiene, and livelihoods and food security. AOC works with district and local authorities, and community and faith-based leaders and members to build lasting foundations to meet the physical, relational and spiritual needs of rural Cambodians. Opportunities There are numerous opportunities for change to occur. The following are the initial and long- term stages of what it will take to bring about community transformation while working alongside the people. Many need to follow each other in successive order while other may occur simultaneously: • Church Construction • Life-skills Training • Children’s Ministry • Micro Finance Loans • English Training • Youth Soccer Training • Agricultural Training • Computer Training • Community Health • Medical Team Trips • Assisting Children to Education • Church Leadership Training School Plan of Action Assisting Children to School (ACTS) 2014 (Kandal and Prey Veng) Agricultural Livelihoods (Prey Veng) Although the percentage of children who enrol in primary school is relatively high Kampong Prang commune consists of six in the rural population, the dropout rate is villages in the Pearang district of Prey Veng 80.6%. Girls have by far the highest dropout province and has a population of 7,590. rate especially when they reach puberty and There is very little NGO involvement and the start to take on more responsibility within people are lacking in basic physical needs. It the house. The major reasons that so many is a farming community relying heavily on Cambodian children remain out of school agricultural yield for income, nutrition, and are: poor children have to work to contribute well-being. There are only two tractors and to the family income, families cannot afford 26 power tillers shared between 700 farmers. to buy school uniforms and supplies, the A lack of farming technology, equipment and distance, and education is not a priority. knowledge produces poor harvests and animal health, results in inefficient farming methods AOC plans to help 183 disadvantaged families and many hours of labour for very little gain. with the opportunity to put their children in school. Each child will be given school AOC plans to train 120 farmers of which uniform, study materials, snacks and a bicycle 100 are estimated to be eligible for loans to is needed. Tutoring is also provided along with improve and grow their farming business. home visits to encourage and train families to support their children’s education. Star of Peace (Kandal) Water and Sanitation (Prey Veng) This is a pilot project which seeks to facilitate Preventable sicknesses and disease through holistic early childhood development for bad water and inadequate sanitation practices children under five in impoverished families. are still high in Cambodia, especially in rural The work is done alongside families, caregivers areas where up to 80% of the population still and the community to provide young ones does not have access to a latrine or water with their basic needs in these crucial filtration system. formative years, such as nutrition, health, hygiene and pre/post natal care and support. AOC provides needy communities with bio-sand and household latrines in In 2014, 60 children (3-5 years) will receive community. Health and hygiene training basic care and quality education and 40 are key components to the success of this mothers will learn about child development. project, as well as high levels of community Star of Peace staff will visit 15 mothers for pre involvement. Beneficiaries have to pay a small and post natal care. To educate and involved sum to the total costs and build their own the community on caring for young children, latrines .In 2014, 489 families will receive the ten training sessions will be conducted for 60 Bio sand water filters and latrines. parents, caregivers and community members. One hundred children will receive nutritional supplement and 150 children and adults will be educated on basic health and hygiene 2015 practices. Agricultural Livelihoods (Prey Veng) There will be various special events such as 12 prayer meetings for children under five AOC will train 150 farmers. Of these, 130 are and International Children’s Day where 150 estimated to be eligible to receive loans. cprhildren will be in attendance. ACTS (Kandal and Prey Veng) Community Hope Development (Kandal and Prey Veng) AOC plans to increase the number of families benefitting from this project to 225. This project aims to model and encourage an authentic, positive lifestyle and a Star of Peace (Kandal) compassionate moral framework which spark hope and inner healing for those who are 60 children (3-5 years) will receive basic hurting, broken hearted and marginalized in care and quality education and 40 mothers their communities. The activities within this will learn about child development. Star of project are children’s work training, women’s Peace staff will visit 15 mothers for pre and empowerment, livelihood empowerment, post natal care. To educate and involved the youth development, and faith-based group community on caring for young children, ten training. training sessions will be conducted for 60 parents, caregivers and community members. AOC plans to target 250 who will benefit from One hundred children will receive nutritional this project in 2014. supplement and 150 children and adults will be educated on basic health and hygiene practices. There will be various special events such as parents, caregivers and community members. 12 prayer meetings for children under five One hundred children will receive nutritional and International Children’s Day where 150 supplement and 150 children and adults will children will be in attendance. be educated on basic health and hygiene practices. Star of Peace will begin development of a small business in order to generate some There will be various special events such as profit to support the ministry activities. The 12 prayer meetings for children under five plan is to run a small shop that sells baby and International Children’s Day where 150 clothes and supplies; the products will be children will be in attendance. made locally in the target community. Five mothers will be trained in tailoring. Community Hope Development (Kandal and Prey Veng) Community Hope Development (Kandal and Prey Veng) The number of leaders trained will be increased to 770. The number of leaders trainged will be 300. Water and Sanitation (Prey Veng) Water and Sanitation (Prey Veng) AOC plans to increase the number of families receiving water filters and latrines to 650. AOC plans to increase the number of families receiving water filters and latrines to 135. 2016 Agricultural Livelihoods (Prey Veng) AOC will train 150 farmers. Of these, 130 are estimated to be eligible to receive loans. ACTS (Kandal and Prey Veng) AOC plans to increase the number of families benefitting from this project to 230. Star of Peace (Kandal) 100 children (3-5 years) will receive basic care and quality education and 40 mothers will learn about child development. Star of Peace staff will visit 15 mothers for pre and post natal care. To educate and involved the community on caring for young children, ten training sessions will be conducted for 60 Projected Costs Year Activity Funds Required People Affected 2014 Agricultural Livelihoods $73,435 720 Assisting Children to School $116,250 700 (ACTS) Star of Peace $68,475 100 Community Hope $79,725 250 Development Water and Sanitation $100,915 2,934 2015 Agricultural Livelihoods $90,975 900 ACTS $121,135 900 Star of Peace $102,135 100 Community Hope $80,385 300 Development Water and Sanitation $46,825 810 2016 Agricultural Livelihoods $91,935 900 ACTS $128,715 920 Star of Peace $108,785 100 Community Hope $79,835 770 Development Water and Sanitation $93,320 3,900 Total $1,383,535 Project Benefits The consistence presence of AOC in this area of Cambodia has already transformed many lives. On a spiritual level, God has changed the hardest of hearts and drawn them to himself; some have even become pastors in their villages. On a physical level, those affected are living healthier lives with hope for a better future for themselves and their children. Through the projects, holis- tic change is taking place tangibly. However, there is still so much more to do in Kandal and Prey Veng.