Cambodia

Over 500 wells installed and 15,000 people lifted out of poverty

The civil war was still ongoing when HOPE International Development Agency first became involved in Pursat, Cambodia in 1991. Back then, Pursat, in Western Cambodia, was one of the poorest provinces in one of the world’s poorest countries. While the need for our work there is still great, substantial changes have taken place, and it is estimated that HOPE’s work has lifted over 15,000 people out of poverty.

Clean Water and Sanitation & Hygiene Education

A large part of HOPE’s focus in Pursat has been on the provision of clean water and sanitation. Since 2002, 1,300 wells have been installed and continue to supply thousands of families with clean water. Families assist with installation of the wells and undergo maintenance training, so that they can take full ownership of their wells upon completion. These wells and the training, compost latrines and home gardens offered in conjunction, have enabled all these families to be in better health, increase farming productivity, generate more income and send their children to school.

Our micro-credit program, in which participants are given loans towards investments that will help them increase their income, has also been very successful. Over the years, loans have been issued to more than 1,000 families with zero defaults, and women have gone on to start small enterprises that have benefitted not only their families, but also their communities. Our animal bank, through which families can obtain their own cows or water buffaloes, has also helped farmers increase their crop yields and derive sustainable income through agriculture.

Dry-Season Rice Project

Rice is a staple crop in Cambodia. In the rural regions of Pursat Province some 80% of the population are rice farmers who rely on rain-fed agriculture (※1). However, this form of farming only allows for harvests once a year and is susceptible to drought and weather fluctuations, which results in unstable crop yields. As food security and nutrition problems get worse, farmers are plunged into further difficulties.

In order to support these farmers, HOPE Japan joined the Dry Season Rice cultivation project in 2019 with the support of the HOPE network that had previously implemented similar interventions.

In cooperation with our local partner, the Development Family Program (DFP), we are supporting Dry-Season Rice farming to increase the income and economic independence of 338 farmers in the Bakan District of Pursat Province.

※1 A farming method that relies on rainfall for water

Dry-Season Rice farming uses specific varieties of rice that can grow in water-scarce conditions and are resilient to climatic variations. These types of rice grow quickly and can be cultivated regardless

of the dry or the rainy season, thus allowing for three harvests a year resulting in increased crop yields. This will improve food security and raise family incomes through the selling of excess rice in the market, thus leading to self-reliance.

The main activities of the project are the capacity development of Cambodians in Pursat Province to sustain Dry-Season Rice farming, by establishing agricultural committees, providing technical guidance to farmers, provision of seeds, agricultural equipment, and irrigation pumps. HOPE Japan also furnishes rice milling machines that can be used in each of the villages together to support processing rice for consumption.

Support for Education and School Lunches

HOPE Japan in conjunction with generous donors and international schools in Japan works to Pursat Province to build schools and provide school lunches for communities in need. Our educational program for youth in the province includes constructing safe and durable school buildings with the community as a resource. HOPE Japan also conducts School Gardening and Lunch Programs, to provide support for local teachers, and assure that undernourished children attend school and improve their health.

All of HOPE Japan’s programs in Pursat work in conjunction with each other. Where we provide access to clean water and sanitation and hygiene training to prevent water borne diseases, we also offer micro-credit training and build schools to provide education and nutrition support. This is the HOPE methodology that ensures sustainable community development.

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Education, and Micro-Credit

Ongoing since 2019	Construction of 10 Wells, Planting Home Gardens, Sanitation & Hygiene Education, Construction of 45 Latrines, Microcredit Training Program Location: Somlanh Village *Well construction changed due to project site geology. Prior to 2019 wells were manually dug to a depth of 7 meters. In Somlanh Village, heavy equipment digs wells to depths of 50 meters or more.
2018	Construction of 40 Wells, Planting Home Gardens, Sanitation & Hygiene Education, Construction of 40 Latrines, Microcredit Training Programs Location: Ream Rey Village
2016~2017	Construction of 150 Wells, Planting Home Gardens, Sanitation & Hygiene Education, Construction of 150 Latrines, Microcredit Training Programs Location: Ta Deis Village, Toul Pong Ro Village
2014~2015	Constructing 150 wells, helping people with home gardens, health and hygiene education, microcredit Location: Preik One Village, Ankrong Village
2012~2013	Constructing 100 wells, helping people with home gardens, health and hygiene education, microcredit Location: Bot Romudual Village, Kandal Village, Prahos Kbal Village
2010~2011	Constructing 100 wells, helping people with home gardens, health and hygiene education, microcredit Location: Oromchang Village, Krorbao Village

Dry-Season Rice Cultivation

Ongoing since 2019

Established Agricultural Committee (capacity development), Technical Guidance, Provision of Seeds, Materials, and Community rice-milling machines
Location: 10 villages in Bakan

School Construction and School Lunch

2020	Building elementary school, furniture and fixtures installation Location: Somlanh Village
2019	Expansion of middle school classrooms, furniture and fixtures installation Ankrong Village
2018	Building middle school, furniture and fixtures installation Ankrong Village
2017	Expansion of elementary school classrooms, furniture and fixtures installation Business location: Ta Deis Village
2016	Building elementary school, furniture and fixtures installation Business location: Ta Deis Village
2015	Building elementary school, furniture and fixtures installation Location: Ankrong Village
2014	Building secondary school, furniture and fixtures installation Location: Preik One Village
2013	Building elementary school, furniture and fixtures installation Location: Ptea Rong Village
2012	Building elementary schools, furniture and fixtures installation Increasing the number of classrooms in elementary schools, school lunch program Location: Oromchang Village, Chan Serey Village
2011	Building junior high schools, furniture and fixtures installation Building elementary schools, furniture and fixtures installation Location: O Russey Village, Chan Serey Village
2010	Increasing the number of classrooms in elementary schools, furniture and fixtures installation Location: Domnak Kanseing Village