Cambodia
We have worked in Cambodia since 1992, and now focus our efforts on 60 rural villages in Battambang and Banteay Meanchey provinces, where we:
- support village-based Older People's Associations - groups which help older people look after and empower each other
- maintain collective holdings of rice and cows, and provide agricultural training
- improve people's access to clean drinking water by providing ponds, wells, water filters, as well as information about sanitation and water safety
- run bi-monthly health camps to advise older people on looking after themselves and acessing health services
- provide small business start-up grants and training to help older people become financially independent
- offer care at home for the most vulnerable older people in the community through our Sponsor a Grandparent program.
The difference we made in 2010-11
- We have trained 1,680 older people's association leaders, 280 village health volunteers, 30 health center staff on primary healthcare. We trained another 280 home based care volunteers to assist home bound older people.
- We have trained 325 older people's association members on farming techniques to improve rice yield and 540 members on how to manage home gardening and vegetable growing.
- Following our six-month literacy training course, 95% of the 300 attendants reported improved skills in reading and writing simple
letters and understanding simple sentences about their daily
life. The participants said this not only meant they were able to read
and write for themselves, but could also teach their children and
grandchildren.
The difference we made in recent years
- We have provided grants and training to more than 200 older people in 32 villages - helping them use skills like weaving or mechanics to provide for themselves.
- Through bi-monthly health camps held in 60 villages, we have provided more than 2,500 older people with check-ups, advice on looking after themselves and accessing health services, and information on age-related conditions.
- We marked the country's first celebration of the International Day of Older People on 1 October 2009 - taking part in a ceremony in which members of Older People's Associations spoke alongside government officials.
What next?
- We will provide more care at home for older people, train community volunteers to visit them, help them with housework and advise on accessing healthcare.
- We will help vulnerable older people through income generating activities in 16 rural villages.
- We will help to develop community-based organisations led by older people. These will form stronger links with local governments and help community development in poor areas.
Our partners
Village Support Group (VSG), Khmer Rural Development Association (KRDA), Khmer Kom Nit Thmey (KNTO), Khmer Farmer Development (KFD)