Lenten stories
Week 1 — Cambodia
Samon's story
Samon, 14, lives with his Aunty Tou and Uncle Sochen, and his cousins Sochhin, 15, and Sopaov, 3. They live together on a small piece of land in Kralanh village, between Siem Reap and the Thailand border. Sadly, like many children in the province, Samon’s parents died from HIV/AIDS-related illnesses when he was a young child.
Although Siem Reap’s ancient temples attract tourists from around the world, this province is one of Cambodia’s poorest. Many people in Samon’s village live on less than $2 a day, working as rice farmers during the wet season and migrating to Thailand’s border in search of construction work during the difficult dry season.
Caritas Australia is supporting seven local Cambodian organisations to run a Community Empowerment Program that aims to alleviate rural poverty. Samon and Aunty Tou’s family are involved in the Salvation Centre Cambodia’s project which facilitates self help groups, training and micro credit to increase families’ food production and livelihoods in 22 villages. It also supports communities to respond to the impacts of HIV/AIDS, especially on children.
“Before, I was selling fried bananas but no-one buys them in the dry season. It was so difficult to find enough food for my family, pay medical expenses and send Samon and Sochhin to school,” Aunty Tou explains. “My husband can not work due to chronic illness and we were unable to save — I often borrowed rice from our neighbours so we could eat. I didn’t know what other business I could do.”
In 2006, Aunty Tou heard about the Caritas Australia-supported project supporting poor families, orphans and vulnerable children in a nearby village. She approached local staff, who visited the family at home and invited Aunty Tou to attend small business training with other carers of orphans and vulnerable children. Aunty Tou soon developed a plan to open a stall selling traditional ‘Banh Chev’ rice pancakes and soup. She received a $200 project loan to buy equipment including a rice grinder, frying pans and bowls.
“I also went to the trainings about home gardening and chicken raising, which I’ve taught the children. With our loan, we’ve bought chickens to breed and sell too,” said Aunty Tou. “Every month I go to a Self Help Group with others carers — we share our experiences, do trainings and bring 40c each a month to save for medical emergencies,” she explained.
Access to water is a major problem for Samon’s village. Caritas supported his family to install a water pump which means they can now grow vegetables all year round. “I help Aunty Tou by pumping water for the garden. We’re growing pineapples, morning glory, beans and eggplants,” said Samon. To encourage vegetable gardening in the whole community, particularly through the long dry season, Caritas has also supported the establishment of village water committees and construction of community water ponds.
Thanks to the community ponds and family-sized water filters the project distributes, Samon and thousands of others now also have clean water for drinking.
Samon attends the project’s ‘Happy Happy Program’ with other vulnerable children, some of who have also lost their parents. Local staff work with village volunteers and the children to promote children’s rights, hygiene and play games that help reduce stigma and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS. “I’ve made new friends there. I like playing the games and writing in my ‘Memory Book’ about my father and my friends. And I’ve received a school uniform, notebooks and pens, toothbrushes, soap and mosquito nets for home,” he explained.
Staff and volunteers work together to facilitate community trainings on sanitation, health and hygiene, and visit people living with HIV/AIDS at home to ensure they receive appropriate
medication, emotional support, and referrals to local health services. This holistic support is slowly helping families like Samon’s to build a brighter future.
“Since joining the project, I can see a future for our family. We earn $3 a day now from the stall – more, when we sell a chicken. After buying our food, I can save to repay our loan and for medical expenses and wood for our house,” Aunty Tou reflected.
“When I finish school I want to be an engineer and build houses and roads so people can transport their produce to market,” Samon told us, with a smile.
How you can help
Your donation to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion helps eradicate hunger and poverty for vulnerable families like Samon’s and brings hope for a brighter future.
