Volume 45
April 2012
The Economic and Agriculture Development Issue
HAPPY KHMER NEW YEAR 2012 May the New Year bring you joy, happiness, health and prosperity !
Economic and Agriculture Impact Felt in Stong ADP > Page 4
What You Can Do to Protect Our Environment > Page 10
Mountains of Corn and Hope for Ny Mom and Her Children By: Ratana Lay, Communications Officer
Feature Story
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n the way to southern Cambodia, Leuk Daek District stretches along the Mekong River as farmers busily gather their yield. Every home boasts golden piles of corn in their yards as we see yellow corn kernels covering part of the street drying under the sun. At the end of March, this is harvest season. Stopping at a farmer’s house, a few women are busy with husking corns with wide smiles. Ny Mon, 35, married with four boys, is very happy with the yield this year because her family was
I think if our crop yield continues to be as high as last year and this year, I believe I will be able to support [my children] to university
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able to double their corn and rice yields compared to 2010. “The sponsorship programme helps parents to get better income and we are able to support our children’s education,” says Mom. Since it is a school vacation, Mom’s two youngest sons who are also World Vision sponsored children, are enjoying and helping their mother to husk the corn. “I want to be a policeman,” Phyneat, 7, studying in 1st grade tells his mother. Mom’s other son, Ponlork, 10,
studying in 3rd grade, says “I want to be a doctor.” Mom is eager to see all of her sons gain as much education as possible. “I think if our crop yield continues to be as high as last year and this year. I believe I will be able to support them to university,” she says. In May 2010, World Vision Cambodia restored an irrigation channel 2,507 metres long that today benefits more than 120 families in the Boeung Leu village, Khpob Ateav commune, Leuk Daek district, Kandal province. “Other villagers are also doubling their yields compared to 2010. It is from four tons to eight tons per hectare. Our living standard is better than before. They can send children to school,” says Mom. This year Mom and her husband works on one hector of their own land and have rented one and a half hectare of
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other people’s to grow rice and corn. Growing corn on one and a half hectare of land, they are able to gain more than ten tons of corn. “We dare to do work on more land because we have plenty of water even during dry season. We have gained more money from farming,” says Mom with smile. Before 2010, they needed to be frugal. They ate less meat, small fishes and less vegetable.
Mom repeatedly appreciates World Vision work in her community. “I would like to say thank to World Vision Cambodia who help my villagers such as restoring the channel, building wells, initiating us to built toilets at home, providing us with water filters, and installing water pumps at our farmland.” “We are eager to see an increase of agricultural productivity and diversification of plantation. Then parents of children are able to save more money and support their children’s education,” says Vannnary Hun, Leuk Daek Area Development Programme.
News
“We are able to effort to buy more meat and big fish and more vegetable now. And I could buy any school supplies for my children” says Mom.
Pe Thorng, 69, Beung Leu village chief, shares that, “before, most of the farmers could not grow crops during dry season because there was a lack of water. They had no income, which forced their children to find a job in the city or work on other people’s farms to help the family. Children could not go to school regularly and some of them dropped out of school. But it is different now. Parents are busy with their farming even during dry season. And their yield is has doubled over one year’s time. Their income is much better. Their children can go to school regularly.”
Panasonic Hands Over Solar Powered Lanterns to World Vision By: Albert Yu, Communications and Media Relations Manager
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n 6 March, at a press conference held at the Sofitel Hotel in Phnom Penh, Panasonic Corporation handed over 209 solarpowered LED lanterns to World Vision Cambodia. The lanterns will be implemented at rural health centers in World Vision programme areas. “We have especially targeted health centers that have difficulty providing
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medical services at night, when more than half of the pregnant women in our program areas give birth,” said Vibol Chab, World Vision Cambodia Operations Director who accepted the donation on behalf of the organization. “The solar powered lanterns will enable health professionals and volunteers to deliver babies and treat serious injuries and illnesses regardless of what hour it is
or what daylight remains,” he said. “In short, these lanterns will keep the doors of health centers open and save lives.” At the hand over ceremony, Panasonic Corporation donated a total of 2,000 solar powered lanterns to 15 development organizations, including World Vision.
News
Royal Government of Cambodia Recognizes World Vision Leaders and Staff for Flood Response Achievements By:Vichheka Sok,Transformational Development Communications Officer
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n 2 April during a ceremony held at the World Vision Cambodia National Office in Phnom Penh, His Excellency Dr. Nhem Vanda, Senior Minister in-charge of First Vice President of the National Committee for Disaster Management, handed out medals of achievement to 21 World Vision staff who exemplified commitment, self-sacrifice, and compassion for those in greatest need during the Cambodia flood response in October and November of 2011. His Excellency Nhem Vanda said, “On behalf of Samdach Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of
Cambodia, I would like to say blessings to the leadership of World Vision Cambodia and staff for your work success and being a good partner with the Cambodian government.” “World Vision plays a very important role in helping Cambodia and has achieved much in the field of social development work, human resources, and especially in disaster response,” he said. “Disasters can happen at any time and we must be diligent in our preparation and enable the communities we work in do the same. Our collective readiness will save lives and protect livelihoods,” said
Esther Halim, World Vision Cambodia Country Director. “To the managers and staff we are acknowledging today, thank you for being prepared and ready to act when the situation demanded it.You worked tirelessly under stressful circumstances and prioritized the well-being of children and their families in your relief work,” she said. “I am sure His Excellency would join me in saying that we are proud of each you. Keep up the good work.You have made a difference.”
Staff Well-being
World Vision Cambodia Celebrates Khmer New Year By:Vichheka Sok,Transformational Development Communications Officer
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hnom Penh - World Vision Cambodia celebrated Khmer New Year on 5 April at the National Office. Organized by the People and Culture Department, the celebration was attended by 200 staff, their families and guests.
The festivities welcomed the upcoming Khmer New Year as it brought World Vision and VisionFund staff together to enjoy a time of fun and games. Other activities included an encouraging message from a pastor, prayer for a good new year to all staff, traditional Khmer games,
traditional Khmer dancing, and answering trivia questions for prizes. We pray for all staff to be safe during the holidays of Khmer New Year, and we pray that all of us will abound with hope and joy in the New Year.
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ADP Profile
Economic and Agriculture Impact Felt in Stong ADP By Nav Chantharith, Office Assistant for Writing
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eople from three communes benefit from Stong Area Development Program (ADP). The ADP started implementing actions in 2008 with support of World Vision New Zealand. The ADP has been worked on Sponsorship Management, Community Mobilization, Education, Water and Sanitation Hygiene and Economic and Agriculture (EA) projects in 27 villages. A significant proportion of people in the poorest households are unskilled and earn a living from irregular and uncertain employment, which forces them into migration, leading to increased vulnerability of children. Thus Economic and Agriculture project has been launched in Stong ADP. “Objective of the project is to raise awareness of agricultural technique for
Staff Quote
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community people and to increase income generation from selling their products in order for them to have enough food to eat especially their children and enable them to support their children to go to school and contribute to reduction of migration,” said Neov Bunna, Economic and Agriculture Project Coordinator. Since 2009, World Vision has cooperated with authorities, community people and stakeholders to implement the project. There have been many achievements including the construction three dykes (4700 metres), a community pond (15 x 20 metres). To increase income, WV has coordinated trainings on agriculture such as plantation growing, cattle raising and capacity and compose fertilizer. Community people have work in group to run rice business, grow mushroom, weave,
produce palm sugar, raise cattle and plant vegetable to share their experience and benefit from the incomes. Beside those, World Vision also coordinates training on how to produce biogas and 40 families have practice their daily cooking by the biogas. “We would like to see the environment clean, the villagers don’t need to cut tree for fire wood, and they could saving money from using the biogas as well,” said Bunna. “Economic and agriculture project is key component of other projects in communities development and educate them to increase income and they are able to feed their children nutritious food and send children to school,” said Chan Sophea, Stong ADP Manager.
World Vision’s core business over the next five years is to improve the well-being of children in Cambodia. To achieve this goal, we will be partnering with stakeholders focused on health and nutrition, child protection and education. Households living in poverty often have poor agriculture techniques, lack of entrepreneurial skills, lack access to market information, lack access to financial services and technology. All this can lead to malnutrition and poor education and protection for children. In response, World Vision Cambodia’s economic and agriculture development sector is working to develop tools and approaches to improve agriculture techniques for the poorest households, build the entrepreneurial skills of the parents, and prepare youth in enterprise development so they will be ready for future business opportunities. World Vision also places emphasis on savings for small business start ups and to cope with sudden emergencies. Leng Vireak Humanitarian Emergency Affairs and Economic and Agriculture Development Senior Manager
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Feature Initiative
Closing of JUMPSTART Celebrates a Brighter Future for Mother and Child Health By: Albert Yu, Communications and Media Relations Manager
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fter a three-year implementation period, World Vision Cambodia’s JUMPSTART Initiative has come to an end. At the closing workshop held in Phnom Penh, 12-13 March, stakeholders from communities where the project was implemented, government authorities, and World Vision gathered to celebrate the initiative’s achievements and look forward to applying key lessons and recommendations to the organisation’s future mother and child health and nutrition work. “JUMPSTART has helped to build the capacity of World Vision staff, partners, Ministry of Health staff, village health support groups, and community support groups in mother and child health,” said Mary Mohan, Senior Programme Manager
for Health and Nutrition, HIV and AIDS, and WASH.
support groups, health centres, and World Vision.
“This initiative has essentially kick-started maternal and child health programming in ADPs using evidence based interventions,” she said, adding that JUMPSTART has also helped to streamline interventions in line with the Ministry of Health’s strategy in health and nutrition.
Esther Halim, Country Director, in her closing remarks said, “I want to emphasise that although Jumpstart has come to an end, the interventions that we’ve developed and the hope they bring will not. Jumpstart is exactly what its namesake means, it’s a kick-start for a child’s life and a kick-start for our ability to save the lives of more children and their mothers.”
Implemented across 15 ADPSs, key JUMPSTART achievements included an increase in the number of women who accessed services at health centres, especially for ante-natal care, improved immunization coverage, and greater awareness and knowledge in communities on mother and child health and nutrition. JUMPSTART had also strengthened the collaboration between village health
“We will continue to take what we have learned from Jumpstart to strengthen interventions for mother and children in World Vision project areas, and grow in our partnership at all levels of government and with the greater NGO community.”
Retirement Means New Beginning for Phong Samnang
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Retirement means a new beginning. Some people want to open the business of their dreams and enjoy the rest of their life,” said Vibol Chap, operation director of World Vision Cambodia during the retirement awards to Phong Samnang, who has been with World Vision for almost 20 years. “Samnang changed from a spy to a loyal
servant of God. He is the sixth person of Trauma Recovery Project who has retired. He always takes care of his health and others,” said Sano Ray, Children in Crisis Program Manager. “Even though I left World Vision, I will always think about World Vision and will visit our friends here someday,” said Samnang.
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Staff Retirement
By: Ratana Lay, Communications Officer
C4D
C4D Training Brings Communication Capacity to the Field By: Albert Yu, Communications and Media Relations Manager
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rom 12-16 March, 22 ADP managers and staff from 11 ADPs across seven provinces gathered in Phnom Penh to learn photography, slideshow production, capture video, and edit short films at the first ever Communication for Development (C4D) training hosting by the Communications Department. By the end of the weeklong training, participants were able use modern technology to tell stories through compelling photographs and gripping short
films. There was no shortage of creativity as this group of budding photographers and film-makers tackled issues such as education, health and nutrition, economic development, and HIV and AIDS during the simulation in Phonleu Khnon Chet ADP.
Albert Yu, Communication and Media Relations Manager. “This is the beginning of something special for World Vision Cambodia as we work to increase the voice of communities, especially the voice of youth.”
Within one day, participants were able to capture, edit, and present their works to the entire group.
“After this training, our ultimate aim is for the ADP staff to transfer these new skills to youth and communities so they will also be able to share their challenges and achievements through powerful storytelling,” he said.
“I was truly inspired by the images and stories captured by the participants,” said
What they said about C4D “I am very happy to join the Communication for Development Training. This is the first time for me to take part in a training of this kind. I was most interested in video editing; I am going to train C4D to youth at my Area Development Program and I hope they will enjoy and practice well for our program closing ceremony in September 2012.” Ms. Choun Davit, Sponsorship Project Coordinator from Samrong Tong ADP, Kampong Speu, said.
“I am so glad to attend C4D training; I learned a lot related to photography, and video editing. When I return to my community, I will share these skills to children and youth. I would like to say thank you so much for conducting this training,” Mrs. Pan Bopha, Transformational Development Facilitator of WVC from Puok ADP, Siem Reap province, said.
“I think this is a good opportunity to join this C4D Training. I gained much knowledge over one-week. I hope this will help us to develop the community,” Khiev Cheal, Transformational Development Facilitator from Phnom Srok ADP, Beantey Meanchey province, said.
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Youth Voice
Kids with Cameras By: Ratana Lay, Communications Officer
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report of World Vision. I would like to see the community clean. And I want to apply my photography knowledge to sanitation and hygiene.”
“I can show the photos to commune leaders and others who can contribute to change. We are part of the progress
Ra Sigomin, 15, studying in 7th grade and also a sponsored child, says “I learnt the one third rule and to be mindful of the background. I am very happy to be able to use the camera today. I have never held it before. I will use this knowledge
I hope that I am able to photograph my community, especially the things and issues that we want to change,” says Khen Sokhun, 16, in 8th grade after a day of photography training to children in March in Ksach Kandal Area Development Programme (ADP).
to change the behavior of my community people. And I hope I can become a good cameraman.” “This is a chance for children to enhance their capability and show their talent to donors. Moreover, the children are able to educate and change behavior of their friends and people in the villages through their photography,” says Chet Phay, Ksach Kadal ADP manager.
Spirit of Helping Vulnerable Children By Nav Chantharith, Office Assistant for Writing
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ang Bany, 17, former student of Chba Ampov high school donated two boxes of clothes, shoes and books to children and people living with HIV and AIDS through Hai Chhieng, World Vision staff. “I feel sorry for orphans. They have a difficult life. I help them with what I can do,” said Bany. “I won’t stop doing this. I continue to call for other people to contribute stuff to help them,” added Bany. “I am excited by young people who have a great heart to help the needy. I would like to encourage our staff to do the same.You can contribute to help poor people. Or you can share innovative ideas to get more support for people living in poverty,” said Chhieng.
“They are the children who live without parents. They need all of you to help them, I hope you will contribute some gift like clothes or some things to help them. Donate now...,” is the status that Chhieng posted on his Facebook page to seek help for the children. Street Children Transformation Project
and HIV and AIDS programme manager always appreciate World Vision staff and people who have donated school materials and other items to children living on the street and orphan and vulnerable children by HIV and AIDS. You can make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children!
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VisionFund
VisionFund and Hard Work Lead to Better Living By: VisionFund Staff
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Before the loan, my family and I lived under very hard conditions in a small cottage with broken thatched roof and walls. Every time it rained, I had to find pieces of cloth to place on the pierced walls to protect my children from getting wet,” says Biv Phann, 24, a married farmer with three children in Tasiem commune, Siem Reap province. Since they earned US$0.50 per day from cultivating land for other farmers, they had no decent clothes and only ate 2 meals a day consisting of rice and salt. Whenever her children were sick, she needed to borrow from her neighbors. In 2009, having heard the news from village chief, Phann decided to apply for her first loan of US$100 to spend US$80 on rice farming and gasoline for a plowing machine. The rest would be saved for her children’s medical fees.
“I could earn US$0.54 from my labor in the rice field and save US$0.12 after meals. As result of high yields from my rice crops, I could sell for US$500 plus remaining 10 bags of rice, which was enough to feed my family for nine months,” said Phann. At the end of loan term, she repaid the first loan to VisionFund and she invested the remaining US$400 with her brother to buy a plowing machine for US$1,500. They are able to save US$137 offsetting all expense from the plowing machine and $450 from her 1.5 hectares of rice field. They are able to pay for the second loan of US$75 to construct a new house. Then they received a third loan of US$100 for gasoline and pig feed. They were still able to repay the loan and save some amount in order to renew their house. “Nowadays, I have a better life because I have a bigger house, a plowing machine, sufficient food, better clothes, and I am able to send my six year old son to school next year,” says Phann.
Phann and her husband work very hard to support their family regardless of how tired they are and what difficulties arise. In the future, Phan is planning to expand her farmland to five hectares and buy a personal plowing machine.
“ My future goal is to send my children for higher education to become a teacher or a doctor
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Pray for Children
Spirit of Helping Children in Crisis Recognized By: Ratana Lay, Communications Officer
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I very much appreciate opportunities to help other people, especially children in crisis. I want to help others with what I have,” said Seyha Lychheng, one amongst six World Vision staff who selflessly donated blood to help Sreyroth and Vuth. “We want to honor the staff who responded to the needs of these two children, especially the six staff who donated blood. We encourage this kind to spirit of helping others,” said Esther Halim
during the certificate of appreciation distribution, which was held after the Monday Chapel, 19th March 2012. According to Im Thano, CCC Project manager, after blood tests at Pasteur Institute of Cambodia, Sreyroth and Vuth were diagnosed with abnormal hemoglobin associated with HBE/BetaThalassemia. Sreyroth and Vuth went into surgery on 16 February. “I am very grateful to see Sreyroth and Vuth are healthier,” said Seyha.
I Have Hope Now: A Message of Thanks from Sreyroth and Vuth By:Vichheka Sok,Transformational Development Communications Officer
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fter Sreyroth and Vuth’s successful operation (see Moul Matte No.42 and No.43 for background), today they are able to smile with hope. Sitting in her home on the old bamboo bed, Sreyroth says, “I am so happy for World Vision’s care and their effort to restore our health. I have hope now and I see myself looking like other children. I don’t have a big stomach and dry skin. I used to always hurt inside every night when I sleep. I sleep well all night now.” “My brother and I now have a new life. We can take a good care of our
grandmother who has tried very hard to take care of us.” “I will try to study hard because World Vision provided me with a bicycle, so I will ride it to school and I hope to be a good teacher because I am in good health now.” “I had no hope before the surgery. I was also scared of the surgery, but I thought I had to try it since World Vision staff was always with us and encouraged us to be strong. In my life, I will never forget World Vision and those who donated blood for our surgery.”
Vuth says, “I want to give BIG thanks to World Vision and all the people who helped us. We are so lucky to have you all. I will study hard to be a doctor, but I am not sure if I can, I’ll try. I love my grandmother, and I will take care of her because she’s already old and I am now healthy.” Sreyroth and Vuth are still being monitoring by a doctor with medicine treatment. They are advised to avoid heavy jobs even sweeping the house or cooking because of the surgery. They keep smiling and appreciate their new chance at life. They are blessed.
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EARTH DAY
Writer, Translator and Photographer
April 22, 2012
Mr. Albert Yu Communications and Media Relations Manager Ms. Lay Ratana Communications Officer Mr. Kong Sopheak Digital Media Officer Ms. Sok Vichheka Transformational Development Communications Officer
What You Can Do to Protect Our Environment
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iving in the world, we must do something to protect our environment. What can you do? A whole lot, actually. Here’s a four-tip guide to you can contribute to protect our world: 1. Reduce the amount of stuff you use and throw away. 2. Reuse stuff when you can. 3. Recycle cans, bottles, paper, books, and even toys.
4. Enjoy the Earth — handcrafts made by recycling stuff Reduce It! When you use less of something, you do a good thing for the Earth. For instance, a shorter shower means you used less water and less fuel since your house uses fuel to run the water heater that warmed up the water. Here’s a list of other stuff you can reduce: • Turn off lights you’re not using. • Turn off the water when you’re brushing your teeth. • When you can, walk or ride your bike instead of driving in the car.You’ll use less gas — and get some exercise! • Unplug the chargers for your phone and MP3 player when you’re not using them. • Put your computer to “sleep” instead of leaving it on with the screensaver running. Reuse It! Sometimes people call ours a “throwaway society.” That means that we’re a little too willing to throw away old stuff and
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Mr. Nav Chantharith Office Assistant for Writing
buy new stuff. Many times, even if you no longer need something, someone else just might.
Mr. Lychheang Seyha Communications Publications Officer Mr. Um Vanndeth Communications and PublicationsIntern
Here are some additional ways to reuse the stuff you have: • Use rechargeable batteries for your handheld computer games, MP3 players, cell phones, and digital cameras. • Choose reusable travel cups instead of disposable paper or plastic cups. • Take your own bags — preferably reusable ones — when you go to the market.
Editor Mr. Albert Yu Communications and Media Relations Manager Ms. Lay Ratana Communications Officer Ms. Sok Vichheka Transformational Development Communications Officer
• Bring your boil drinking water instead of buy a new bottle of water when you travel.
Design and Layout Mr. Lychheang Seyha Communications Publications Officer
• Please printouts both sides of sheet. Recycle It! You can have a box for items that can be rinsed and recycled. For example you can have a box of bottles, can, plastic and more. And there are many people need those and for their own business. What can you do with water? From the washing machine and shower — and clean it up so it’s safe to use for watering the grass and flowers. Enjoy It! You should start to love the handcrafts made by recycling stuff. Thank you so much for protecting our environment! Sources: • http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/house/go_green.html# • http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/actionguide/27-thingsyou-can-do-stop-global-warming
World Vision Cambodia # 20, Street 71, Tonle Bassac, Chamkar Morn, P.O Box 479 Phnom Penh - Cambodia | Phone: +855-23-216 052 | Fax: +855-23-216 220 April 2012 Email: cambodia@wvi.org | www.worldvision.org.kh
The Communications and Media Relations Department would like to thank those who contributed t o this edition of Moul Matte newsletter. We welcome all contributions for the next issue. Please forward your programme news, photos, staff opinion, recent events, etc. to seyha_lychheang@wvi.org (or send your letter to National Office) in the Communications and Media Relations Department before Friday, 27th April 2012. Thank you very much!