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A. Project Name:
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Promoting Civil Society Transformation at Village Level (PCST)
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B. Project No.:
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CB-037A
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C. Project Goal:
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To build the foundation elements of civil society through the promotion of formal and informal community-based groups/associations in order that social justice, equitable rights, and sustainable development can occur at the village level.
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D. Project Rationale:
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The Samlaut district is located on the Cambodian – Thai border within an isolated portion of far western Cambodia (see Map 1 attached), 96 km south-west of Battambang provincial town. It occupied a total area of approximately 1,803 km2. The area covered 60 % with forest and mountainous. There are 5,706 families, (27,311 population; 13,366 of them are female) residing in this district. Main incomes of these inhabitants are tropical agriculture cultivation. The district consists of 7 communes and 49 villages.
Cambodian culture had been recognized that their sense of community was very strong. They formed a village by a group of society with length of relationship where there were grand – grand member of the siblings. They live with great worship and unity atmospheres. Traditionally, the people who leave in villages/community served and dedicated for all aspects of their comfort for all. They are shaped their norm to dedication not just for personal belonging, but food and traditions. They shared fish, meat, and vegetable freely for everyone. They build on relationship, solidarity, friendly amongst themselves and living with peace and dignity. Whenever any traditional ceremony was organized in the community, the people help each other with whatever they have or available locally in order that the ceremony could go on smoothly, successfully and happily within their village/community.
Elders were honestly respected by the others in the same or even outside their villages. They were always be resourced persons in leading the community to tickle issues for their groups and/or be a consultant to the villagers in dealing a day to day issue. We still have some good remaining customs such as when harvesting crops, people help each others from one family to others. But there were a lot of good traditions have been disappeared from our society.
- Social destruction:
After an extend civil war, those best practices have never existed within the country or very scarcely to see it happens. The Cambodian country now accustomed to an autocratic and highly centralized authorities, there are no inherent expectations of participation by the people-either on part of the authorities and even less on part of individual citizens. Traditional patronage management has conditioned the people to look up to their superiors for instruction, advice, support and favors. Personal initiative is not encouraged.
- Education:
The Cambodian people have suffered from the genocidal and civil war for decades, which brought about the destruction of human resources, natural environment, culture, society, and infrastructures. Of our next generation of Cambodian children, especially the ones who live in the remote areas, nearly 80 percent are not aware of their own culture and traditions, and often have more exposure to the vulnerability. The devastated educational facilities have made many children illiterate and have no opportunities or confidence to fully become community members.
- Domestic violence and child trafficking:
Family violence has increased significantly after decades of war, especially in the rural areas. Most of the cases happened in the poor families caused by minor disputes, different perceptions (view-point) in the family and/or sometime because of the misunderstanding, jealousy, drunken (depression). The conflict leads to physical violation. When the domestic violation took place, the whole family structures are affected, these include the children and even the close relatives. In some cases the results were beyond the control but it leads to juridical process and/or conviction of criminal actions. Consequently the children become un-dependent, abandon, street children, beggars, and gangs and/or encountered at risk situation which exposed to sexual harassment or to any form of trafficking and exploitation.
In respond to this, CVD's PCST project has set up children's clubs in its target villages. The purpose of the clubs is to encourage children to form themselves into independence groups within their respective villages so that they can meet and discuss their day-to-day concerns, build trust and confidences amongst the children at the village level.
Plans to overcome
The principle guide of CVD’s community-based development work with this vulnerable population is to identify causes and appropriate responds so they can facilitate to meet their own needs. With length of experience working along side with underprivileged communities, CVD found “self-help concept” to be the best solution for the sustainable assistance. This approach is initially focused on the provision, facilitation and better utilization of resources in the village, through the implementation of a wide range of micro-projects.
The project responded solely to the needs that are prioritized by the villagers and, for the most part, address family economic, food security and other physical assistance. However, CVD conscious of the need for social and personal development included rights awareness and sense of community restoration in targeted villages. The inception of this promoting civil society is that the development process will be continued and is expected to be sustainable in the community as long as possible. This self-help group approach will lead to genuine people-centered development where people are, not only at the center of development efforts, but take responsibility for their own development and success.
A program evaluation last year, conducted by external evaluators on existing CVD programs found that there are some points which need to be addressed in order to strengthen the project outputs and expectations. With these findings, particularly the promoting civil society transformation at village level, CVD is prepared to incorporate those weak points and set up proper plan of actions to overcome them appropriately. Reflecting to the recent project evaluation report and its recommendations, this proposed project concentrates on the attainability and manageability of each output/activities. Particular response to this project has been drawn out and allocated an individual plan of action and set up measurable time frame and its management. The following findings that were recommended by the evaluation team are extracted and spelled out in order to take specific action to accomplishing them.
I. Summary of overall progress during the reporting period
This is a narrative of the activities accomplished by the Promoting Civil Society Transformation project (PCST) for a 12 months from 1st October 2004 to 30 September 2005.
To promote and transform the civil society effectively, the project sets up two main strategies, firstly, is promoting civil society and secondly is a community support (community assistances), which known as the most effective methods towards the sustainable community development.
Objective 1:
Encourage the participation of children in democratic civil society interaction among clubs, village association and government structures at village level.
1.1 Children's Clubs:
This is designed to meet the project objective where it states to encourage the participations of children in building clubs collaboration effort.
- 12 clubs have been established in 12 target villages as planned in FY 2005, Tasanh Cheng, Prey Rumchek, O Sngout, O Tatem, Don Trek, Anlong Pourk, Kantout, Beng Run, Srae Andong, Chhork Roka, Samlot and Peam Ta villages. 305 children joined the clubs.
- Sport equipments, foot balls, volley balls, tennis rackets were supported to equip the clubs so the children can play during the meeting of the club members. This is to entertain village children as most of them had less or even no time to enjoy their childhood.
- On 19 – 20 January 2005, training was conducted for 41 people (11 teachers, 30 club members); the topics were child rights, anti-child trafficking, child labor. The teachers were trained with those topics so that they can teach students at project temporary schools.
- The teachers whose main responsibilities including, teaching children in temporary schools and teach the children in clubs on every Thursday of the week. The topics included child rights, anti-child trafficking, child labor at their respective club in which they are assigned.
- In addition to the trainings the club members got from the teachers, the project staff conducted training on child rights, anti-child trafficking, child labor and basic democratic civil society to all club members. The refreshment was also made during the regular monthly follow up visit to clubs to test children about what they have learnt.
- On 15 September 2005, project staff conducted training on life skill/awareness to older children in three target villages (non-club members), O Totem, Tasanh Cheng and Don Trek. The topics included, how to be a good child, how to be good parents. Because they will become fathers and mothers in the future. Building on good social moral is also contributing to and encouraged for good unify community.
- Club members meet regularly at each respective club once every week on Thursday, facilitated by project contracted teachers. The project staff encourage group discussion activities included child rights, child labor, child trafficking, sport leisure, folk story telling and sharing experiences with each others. The club members are enjoying with sport activities during the club meeting. Sport activities included; volley ball, tennis, jumping and whatever sport they wanted to play. Sport activities entertain children during the meeting so they are strengthening relationship between other and learn how to work as a team.
- The members of club in Chhark Roka village gathered their members to works for their community. They help the villagers in crop planting, this is the light works which suitable for children. The activities were managed by the club leaders with the facilitation from temporary school teachers. Part of the main content was to introduce children to understand solidarity work and build on unity among members.
- On 23 June 2005, 62 children of the two clubs of Beung Run and Kantout, joined a public work in Srae Andong temple. They help to carry sand and brick for the Sala Bali (Bali school) construction. This is the involvement of the children in the public work and part involvement in the community development. (See photo # 1)
- On 15 July 2005, authorities (Commune and Village heads) were invited to visit 11 clubs at each respective village to see the going on of club activities and discussed over child rights and Anti-child trafficking issues. (See photo # 2)
- On 9 August 2005, club members of 4 villages, Tasanh Cheng, O Totem, Don Trek went to meet with village authorities to ask about other issue related to future plan of government to support for school facilities and other development issue. (See photo # 3)
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Statistic of children in clubs
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No.
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Village name
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No. of club members
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Total
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Remarks
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Boys
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Girls
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1
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Kan Tout
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17
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13
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30
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Old village (FY02-04)
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2
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Beng Run
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14
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18
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32
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Old village (FY02-04)
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3
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Srae Andong
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12
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7
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19
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Old village (FY02-04)
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4
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Chhork Roka
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7
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12
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19
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Old village (FY02-04)
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5
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Peam Ta
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14
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17
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31
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Old village (FY02-04)
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6
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Samlaut
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10
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11
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21
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Old village (FY02-04)
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7
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Tasanh Cheng
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13
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12
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25
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New village (FY04-06)
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8
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Don Trek (Tasanh Tbong)
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11
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19
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30
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New village (FY04-06)
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9
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O Sngout
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18
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9
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27
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New village (FY04-06)
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10
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Prey Rum Chek
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7
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12
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19
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New village (FY04-06)
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11
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O Tatem
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8
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12
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20
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Old village (FY02-04)
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12
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Anlong Pouk
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18
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14
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32
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New village (FY04-06)
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Total
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149
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156
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305
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1.2 Education/Awareness (Temporary Schools):
This is designed to create opportunity for children to be able to attend literacy class in temporary school and offer general awareness on rights and concept of civil society.
The temporary schools were built in respond to the needs of the poor children whose villages located far away from the government schools as many of the children cannot afford for means of transportation to travel to public schools. This is to give opportunity to children to access to education and as part of the involvement strategy in human resource development towards the rebuilding of the country as a whole.
Children can attend the temporary schools located in or close to their villages. The students who completed the first and second grade at project supported temporary schools are encouraged /referred to higher level of education at the government schools. These responses answered to few different folds, one is to offer chance for younger age children who cannot travel in far distance to public schools and secondly, by the time they completed the first and/or second grade, they are grow up and finally their families economic will reach to a certain level where they can afford to pay basic cost for their children to attend public school and consequently, they have understood of the important of education where they are not obligated to work in the field to just support the family without receiving a proper education.
- The process of building for new four temporary schools which started in November have completed in December 2004. These 4 schools were built in 4 new target villages, Ta Sanh Cheng, Ta sanh Tbong, Prey Rum Chek and O Sngout. (See photo # 4)
- Currently there are 11 temporary schools in 11 villages of 3 communes (Tasanh, Sung and Samlaut) of Samlaut district Battambang province. The project hired 11 teachers for 11 temporary schools, Mrs. Sim Oeun, posted to Peam Ta, Mr. Kel Rady, posted to Ta Sanh Cheng. Mr. Khuth Sophal, posted to Prey Rum Chek and Miss Som Srey Mao, posted to Tasanh Tbong (Don Trek), Mr. Pan Kreum posted to O Sngout, Mrs. Ek Sareth posted to Srae Andong, Mr. Phon Sophin posted to Samlaut, Mr. Un Sarorn posted to Beng Run, Miss. Un Sokhon post to O Totem, Miss. Uth Vanthy posted to Kantout and Mrs. Thou Tom posted to Chhork Roka school.
- On 13 January 2005, the inauguration of the temporary school was held to be officially opened for use in 4 villages. The ceremony presided by CVD Executive Director, Deputy Chief of Samlaut district and Tasanh commune leader. The village heads and the related heads of the bureaus of the district join in the even. (See photo # 5)
- The project completed repairing 6 old temporary schools in old target villages, Samlaut, Kan Tout, Beng Run, Chhork roka, O Tatem and Srae Andong. (See photo # 6)
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- The number of students for the scholastic year 2004 – 2005 is 504 in 11 project temporary schools.
- Support 11 temporary school teachers. Each teacher is equipped with full set of education materials and fully paid of their salary by the project budget.
- Students at 11 project temporary schools received full set of school supplies for 2 times (first time 454 sets and second time 504 sets) per year. (Each set consists of text book (literacy and numeracy), writing book, slate, chalk, ruler and pencil, eraser and school bag). The students at 11 temporary schools received uniforms twice per years (first time 542 sets (504 for temporary school students and 42 for poor children at clubs) and the second time 504 sets for children at temporary schools only. (See photo # 7).
- To ensure the quality of education at the temporary schools to meet the national standard curriculum, the project works close cooperation with District Education Office to include the project contracted teachers to attend the training on pedagogy and other educational related matters.
- On 03 - 5 February 2005, there were training session conducted for teachers on the teaching skill for 11 project – contracted teachers, facilitated by Primary school director and head of Office of Education of Samlaut district. (See photo # 8)
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- Project staff conducted following up twice a month to each temporary school to monitor the teachers’ activities such as student attendance, weekly teaching schedule, weekly lesson plan and to advise teachers where appropriate; i.e basic understanding on general environment at schools sites, cleaning of school compound, general sanitation and leisure activities. It is reported that children regularly attended classes, only a few were absent due to the parents are facing family food shortage and need the children to help in making money from selling labor in harvesting.
- Monthly meeting was held among 11 teachers, facilitated by project staff. The agendas included: Student attendant list, Preparation and lesson plan, Sanitation and hygiene in class and around school compounds, Encourage student to attend class, Monthly reporting, Plan to work for coming students’ vacation, Plan for the following month.
- Teachers met with parents of students who were absent from class to ask them to allow the children to go to school. They agreed with the teachers and let their children to continue learning.
- Conducted art-work contest among students of the project temporary schools. The winners were students from O Totem, Srae Andong and Prey Rumchek schools; they were awarded with prizes (school supplies).
- On 1st June 2005, the PCST project team in Samlaut district organized the International Children’s Day. 504 children from project temporary schools and government primary schools participated in the event. It was presided by head of the district education, commune chief and school director, with the participation from local authority and teachers. (See photo # 10)
- Organized 5 trainings for 11 teachers as part of teacher capacity building. The courses of the trainings were about the teacher role and responsibilities, communication and how to prepare lesson plan, child rights and anti-child trafficking. (See photo # 11)
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- Led tour visit for children from 11 project schools, only 90 older children join the trip. The visit was made to Phnom Yat at Pailin municipality where known to be the best place to visit. The children were very much enjoying themselves at the place because it new to them and it is a famous area of gemstones.
- Provided the teaching materials and school supplies to 11 schools. The supplies included chalk, books, pens, rulers, staplers, staples, correction pens, and hole-puncture.
- Held monthly meeting with teachers from 11 temporary schools to discuss about the teaching activities, identified constrains met during the month and find out ways to resolve for the following month.
- Due to Handicap International (HI) had support one school construction in Peam Ta village and the district Education Office has assigned government teachers to that school. Those teachers including a PCST project contracted teacher, so in the coming year, FY 2006, project in consultation CVD Executive Director decided to phase out from Peam Ta School.
- TdH approved to support salary to school teacher in Chhaong village (Please refer to email from Dr. Frans dated 22 May 2005), so we will establish another club in Chhaong village. The project planned to set up a temporary school and club in that village in the fourth quarter of FY 05, but it was postponed due to the student were on vacation, so the process will start from October 2005 (FY 06), new scholastic year 2005 - 2006.
Statistic of students at temporary schools
Scholastic year 2004 – 2005
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No.
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School name
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Grade
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No. of students
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Students pass to grade 2
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Students pass to grade 3
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Students pass to grade 4
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Abandon class
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Boys
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Girls
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Boys
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Girls
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Boys
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Girls
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Boys
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Girls
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Boys
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Girls
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1
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Kan Tout
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1
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14
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16
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8
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12
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2
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Beng Run
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1
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14
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16
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12
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10
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2
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3
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Samlaut
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1
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26
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11
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24
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9
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2
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2
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4
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Chhork Roka
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1
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15
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13
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15
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13
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5
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Peam Ta
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1
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13
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4
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13
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4
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|
|
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2
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7
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6
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|
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7
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6
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6
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Ta Sanh Cheng
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1
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16
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16
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16
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16
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7
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O Sngout
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1
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21
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10
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13
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9
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8
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Srae Andong
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1
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26
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22
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21
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19
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2
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13
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8
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13
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8
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9
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O Totem
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1
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25
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20
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25
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20
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2
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21
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23
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|
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21
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23
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3
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27
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19
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|
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27
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19
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10
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Prey Rumchek
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1
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27
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15
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25
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12
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11
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Ta Sanh Tbong
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1
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25
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15
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22
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12
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Total
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290
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214
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194
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136
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41
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37
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27
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19
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4
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2
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- Of 504 students, 454 have passed to the upper grade, from 1st grade to 2nd grade 330 students, from 2nd to 3rd grade, 78 students, from 3rd to 4th grade, 46 students.
- Of 454, 185 students are sent to government public schools, the remaining of 269 are still learning in project temporary schools at higher level.
- There were 44 (8.73%), students requested for doubling at grade one. Main reasons were that they are too small to travel far distance to government school.
- There were 6 (1.19%) abandoned the classes because they are in the very poor families and they have to help their parents working for survival.
- The project plan to divide classes into two, such as in Chhork Roka, Tasanh Cheng, Prey Rum Chek and Tasanh Tbong. Those schools consist of only one class (grade 1). The classes will be divided to two times, grade 1 in the morning and grade 2 in the afternoon.
- This plan will affect the education quality because one teacher is assigned to teach one class in the morning and another class in the afternoon, but this will it will benefit for two different groups. 1. The children who reach the school age can attend the 1st grade class in their village and postgraduates from grade 1 can have access to the grade 2 class within their village as well. If this plan is not implemented, any of the groups will lose opportunity to receive the education.
- One more problem that the project will face next year is that the students who pass to upper level and will have to go to the government schools which they are located too far away from their villages. The field team reports that the parents will stop their children from going to government schools due to the schools is far from their houses, they cannot afford for bicycle for the children.
- To resolve this, the project staff will work in close cooperation with the district Education Office to find other possible ways, ie. to divide classes in Kan Tout, Beng Run and Samlaut into two classes so the children can have access to schools in a shorter distance than to the existing government schools.
Objective 2:
Promote attitudinal development among villagers, particularly within village associations/clubs in order to lead to positive change.
2.1 Self-help group establishment:
This is designed to address the primary constraint of villagers (the poor) who need to resolve the economic pressure so that they could maneuver to set up long term group development and self-sufficiency.
The purpose of setting up self-help groups was to raise the sense of community and social structure restoration in which there were broken down due to decades of war. The groups managed by their own team leaders selected amongst the group members. It is the autonomous group where members are selected amongst the very poor villagers. Team leaders are equipped with basic skill of small business management, leadership skill and community development/planning capacity.
Group members can access to credit scheme (know as Working Capital) with lower interest rate as they need money for their farming activities. The collection will be made at the end of each harvesting season. Working capital has been very effective and play very important role in facilitating community development, especially answered to basic needs including families economic supports.
In general this is an interim measure taken by the project to provide credit to the groups. In long term run, this should be taken over by the formal financial institutions in the area. However, given the uncertainty in the present political and economic situation in the country, it is hard to predict that there will be financial institution in rural area, which are accessible to the community we are working with. Hence we may have to make a medium term arrangement if credit is still a strong need of the community. A kind of a community structure may set up mechanism to manage the working capital, which can be handed over to the community, based on certain regulations with regard to its use.
Saving is another method which is introduced to the self-help group members. Each individual can save as much as they want and the saving is recorded by both, the individual member and group leaders. They can withdraw their saving when it reach the amount as specified in the policy, but will not excess the amount they have saved.
Traditional culture of Cambodian, females headed households are likely to experience a lack of mobility due to child-minding responsibilities; time to earn income due to domestic responsibility; difficulty in achieving self-support and concern with physical security etc.
The project encourages and motivates women to participate in all process of the project activities. CVD considers, especially female to role in facilitating within their groups as leader, and they are well representing or being the lead in actions toward their community development. The encouragement and capacity building especially for woman is crucially important to both men and women and the community as the whole.
- Met with the commune leaders in three target communes, Samlaut, Tasanh and Sung seeking for the involving from the local authority in cow distribution to poor families.
- 39 cows for cow bank were provided to Self-Help Group members, 39 families of 17 groups, received cows. Please noted that there are 21 groups (15 old and 6 new groups), but the project decided to provide cows to only 17 groups (11 old and 6 new groups) because 4 old groups were set up for a long time, their living have been improved and the project with consultation with the Executive Director, decided not to provide to those 4 old groups. Due to the number of cows are not enough for all families, the project only selecting the poorest families (identified by group members).
- Due to the number of cows are not enough for all families, the project only selecting the poorest families (identified by group members). (See photo # 12).
- 25 meetings were held in 10 villages (17 SHG groups of 129 families), where the self-help groups are formed, O Totem, Srae Andong, O Sngout, Beng Run, Tasanh Tbong, Tasanh Cheng, Anlong Pourk, Don Trek, Prey Rumchek and Kan Tout. The discussion focused on the progress of their farming, food production activities, the problem encountered; review group paper work, strengthening leadership skill, problem solving and the flow of revolving loan. (See photo # 13)
- Project staff schedule to follow up on a regularly basis to 17 self help groups and their members to discus and review ongoing activities, problem identification and solution, where appropriate.
- Staff conducted follow up to monitor the cow bank activities of the self help groups. Staff advised to the group members to take care of cows and feed them well. Of 39 cows, 14 have already been bred, 1 cow has calf, 1 has aborted (the calf died, but the mother is healthy) while the others will have mated in the next few months.
- Monthly meeting was held for each respective SHG to discuss the progress of the saving process, problem encountered and to plan for next month. The meetings were facilitated by project staff, except 8 groups, O Sngout, Tasanh Cheng, Prey Rum Chek, Anlong Pouk, Kantout, O Totem and Beng Run, can facilitate meetings by themselves. (See photo # 14)
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- Follow up 14 SHGs of 112 families who received credit in cash of 11,200,000.00 riels (one family received 100.000 riels) equal to US $ 2,800 to be sure that cash was used the same purpose as mentioned in the request or not. As result, we found the credit is very successful.
- The project produces saving books for Self – Help Groups.
- 26 trainings were held for 17 SHGs of 10 villages The training were about the following topics:
- Role and responsibility of group leaders
- The relationship between SHG and authority
- Record keeping (saving and credit)
- Seasonal planting and seed loan
- Usage and the consequent of chemical fertilizer and the advantage of the compos
- Child rights and child trafficking
- Soil management,
- Compos making
- Cow breading and care
- Of 17 current self-help groups, in 10 villages, 4 groups of 32 members are able to run their group independently and the project has completely phased out from direct involvement in the group decision. (Only 13 groups remain and will phase out the external support by next year). Please note that the project staff still assumes the role as advisor and also to check book keeping of the revolving fund and the progress of the cow bank of those group.
Objective 3:
Strengthening capacity of associations/clubs in resource mobility and management of groups/clubs’ small-scale community-based management to address basic needs, including food security, social welfare and infrastructure rehabilitation.
3.1 Civil Society Promotion:
This is designed to overcome the promotion of community structures, the involvement of villagers in communal decision and to encourage authorities’ participation in order that they are recognized activities/projects that initiated by groups/associations with their respective villages, so that they are mutually agreed.
- One workshop was held with local authorities, 4 village leaders, 5 commune council members and 1 school director to discuss over the Promoting Civil Society Transformation plan for FY 05 – FY 06 (build new schools, set up new clubs and set up new self-help groups), land for new school constructions, temporary school and landmine clearance at the temporary school compound. As result, 4 plots of land were identified and provided to the project with land title to build new schools. (See photo # 15)
- Four community meetings were held with the villagers in 4 target villages to discuss about the new temporary school and also to present the project plan. The people are pleased to learn about the project plan and willing to participate in all project activities.
- Contacted the government school directors to organize training for the project contracted teachers so that our teacher could obtain teaching skills/methods. As result the project teachers were invited to take formal examination for qualifying their teaching skills/capacity.
- Four community meetings were held in three target villages, O Totem, Samlaut and Srae Andong village to discuss and encourage for contribution in old schools repairing. As a result, the people were pleased to involve in the repairing and shared some local assets such as thatches and bamboo, because project budget limited. On the other hands this involvement of the local people is a part of ownership and community participation strategy which encouraging community members to participate and contribute the process so that they feel they own the property rather then the project. Eventually, it becomes the community ownership and they will take care for their assets.
- On 19 January 05, project staff met with head of district social office to discuss over trainings on anti-child trafficking and child rights. He was very pleased with the project plan and he also shown great supported of this kind of training for his community. (See photo # 16)
- On 25 February 2005, met with school director and head of district education office to talk over the capacity building of PCST contracted teachers. As result, both of them agreed to support the plan and involved in the whole process.
- Attended the commune meeting at Tasanh commune office to discuss about child abuse. The father, Mr Sophanna hit his son badly. The PCST staff and the commune leader asked the father to stop this unacceptable action towards his son.
- Project Manager attended monthly meeting at district level to present/up dating project activities and the achievement and as well as to drawn up future plans. (See photo # 17)
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- On 28 April 2005, the PCST project organized a meeting to present the project achievement for the first 6 months of the year, covering 1st October 2004 to 31 March 2005 to the local authority. The attendants of the meeting are Deputy District leader, three commune chiefs, Tasanh, Samlaut and Sung communes, head of education office of Samlaut and head of Social office of Samlaut district. After the PCST project manager read the progress report to the meeting, Mr. Toch Puthy, head of district education office admired the project achievement in term of supporting the education facility and assisted the poor children in the district. He suggested that the cooperation between the education office and the project field staff should be maintained. He informed that there are many villages need schools for children because those villages located very far from the government schools. He also proposed the project to support another school in Chhaong village where the temporary school existed (initiated by villagers), but no teacher. The three commune chiefs, Sung, Samlaut and O Sngout communes also raised similar ideas and stated about the project activities, including cow bank, working capital, self-help groups, emergency assistances, agriculture tool etc, towards the sustainable development of the district. And they agreed with proposal of the head of the education office regarding the supporting teacher to Chhaong village. Finally, the deputy chief of the district wrapped up with the admiration and appreciation of the project achievements and hoped that the proposal will be responded positively.
- Trainings on the anti-child trafficking were held for the local authority, the participants are village heads, commune leaders, school teachers, and police.
- During the meeting, SHG members were introduced with child rights and human rights so that they will treat their children in the right ways.
- Project-contracted teachers are aware of child rights and anti-child trafficking, so they are able to deliver this knowledge to school children.
3.2 Community Assistance:
This is designed to meet the project objective and its recommendation where it is for SHGs to identify other community needs, which they can be involved in.
- 8 meetings were held in four villages, Chhork Roka, Ta Sanh cheng, Tasanh Tbong, Beng Run, Kan Tout, Prey Rumchek, O Sngout, and O Totem with the villagers and village leaders to identify the poorest in the community. 61 families have been identified as the most vulnerable. House hold assistances were supported to 15 families in respond to their day-to-day need, such as cloth, blanket, mosquito net and kitchen supplies. 46 families other were supported with food assistance; each received 35 kilograms of rice. The support was made in response to needs of the poor families who are facing the food shortage caused by the drought. It is reported that at least 30 % of the village population have no food to eat, but the project has limit budget for this, so only very few families were supported.
- Provided light agriculture tools to 126 families of 17 SHGs. Each family received one ax, hoe, knife and a hand-grass cutter.
- Provided seed to 126 families, each received 2 kg of sesame. And provided fruit trees (mango trees) to 129 families.
- All level of authorities shown of their satisfactory with the project's activities which are really responsive to the people’s needs in term of family economic development, especially the education facilities.
- Provided seed loan to 60 families of the SHGs of 9 villages. This is the second crop planting following the first one starting from February, was mostly destroyed by prolonged drought. The people expect to have good yield in this last crop which to be harvest late of the year.
II. The processes that are being used to achieve the project objective
CVD conscious of the need for social and personal development included rights awareness, democratic civil society and sense of community restoration in targeted villages. The self-help group approach will lead to genuine people-centered development where people are, not only at the center of development efforts, but also take responsibility for their own development and success.
The monthly follow up was conducted by project manager to monitor the activity in the project implementation to ensure that it meets the plan of action as specified in the project proposal. Strong cooperation from all level of local authorities is also vitally important to have this project implemented its activities successful and achieved its annual plan of action.
III. Major problems that restricted the progress of the project during the period
Due to the prolonged drought in an early period of the year and the heavy prolonged rain in July and August, there has been affected to agriculture cultivation of the project beneficiaries. This will also lead to the delay in cash loan collection. The loan due date will be in mid of October 05, but the beneficiaries ask for postpone the repayment until January or February 06.
IV. Plan of action for next year 2006
- The project phased out this year from Peam Ta, so the under-spend budget will be appeared in salary for teachers. The project will seek the approval from donor to support teacher in Srae Chi Pov village of Mean Chey commune Samlaut district where there is no school existed, hundred of children have no opportunity to attend the government school because it is too far from their village and it is also requested from the local authority.
- Monitor the student enrolment for scholastic year 2005-2006
- Support direct assistance to the most vulnerable family, train SHG member with agriculture skills and participate in Human Rights Day in December 2005
- Schedule to follow up all activities to ensure the implementation of the project to reach the monthly, quarterly and annual plan of action.
V. Cases Study
1. Children Club:
The project focuses on children, mainly. Most of the efforts are encouraging children to become club member through the use of project temporary schools as the meeting points. This meeting point is made accessible for children to come to meet each other and discuss over child related issues and have access to appropriate assistance such as referral, evacuation and to legal support, where needed. Core activities to be introduced to club members during the regular meetings are child rights, domestic violence, child trafficking, labor and participation of member in community support. In addition to the above issues, the children are encouraged to join public work in village such as cleaning/maintaining village school, temple, road and other public places.
Srae Andong club is one of the 12 children clubs, established by CVD’s PCST project on June 22nd 2004. This club is facilitated by Mrs. Ek Sareth (the project temporary school teacher). There are 19 members (12 boys and 7 girls), they are currently students from the government school and were referred from PCST project temporary school in 2002.
These children are the former Khmer Rouge’s, they grown up in an isolated region during war times. Most of them get very limit access to information and more or less they perceive their understanding civilization, tradition, rights and democratic society very little. They grew up with the sound of gun shot, shelling, bombing, landmine blow and only familiarized with gunmen and women (their mothers were the ex Khmer Rouge soldiers) wearing army uniforms all the time waiting for order from their commanders and ready to attack at front lines.
It is therefore, the clubs are establishing in order to give chances for these children to learn and anticipate at the most to their child hood, freedom of life and explore a different from their parents’ generations. The members meet regularly once every week and that was facilitated by project contracted teachers. When the groups meet, their main subject was to discussion over child rights, child labor and child trafficking. There are activities introduced to the group such as sport leisure, folk story telling and sharing experiences with each others where applicable.
Sok Channa, 13 year – old girl, student of grade 4 from government supported school. Channa was selected to be one of a club leader. He mentioned his experience to our group that he had been gaining a lot of new and broad vision toward the sharing among clubs members. He said learnt lots of new things, (social moral, collaboration, solidarity and team work) where at the government supported-school they do not teach or have time to get the children to talk over their problems. In this club, we have a lot of time to discuss our issues, share our experiences, work and play together, and moreover, we gain support from the authorities. “I am proud of becoming the club member and I will pass on what I learnt to my friends who have no chance to join with club” said Channa. “I feel confident that I am a good child, good student and I do hope al my friends will be the same as me in the future” ended Channa smilingly.
Conclusion:
Based on our experience and observation in working with children, especially the children in rural village, we found that the club member does have direct impact on their lives and gained new skills and knowledge. Normally, the children who live in remote region are not always brave/confident enough to show up themselves. They generally expose with shy character, silence mode and do not speak to outsider(s)/(NGOs staff). But with positive encouragement and motivation from the project to club members,(for example: Sok Channa), he speaks to us and show us of his confidentiality. The overall conclusion for this outcome is that, the PCST does contribute great impact toward the behavioral change and interactive of new generation to involve themselves and be part of the group at all stage. This is a sign that their future participation in community decision will definitely happen if they are continuously promoted.
2. Self-Help Group:
After the political reintegration of Former Khmer Rouge group with the Royal Cambodian Government in 1999, the people of this district are still living with tough military structure. The entire population of Samlot district was not accepted of the reintegration, civil structure and privatization lives at once. They seem to be used to with the receiving order from their superior and listen to the guidance always. No self-initiatives are courage and they feel guilty when they input/suggest to their leaders. No reception, accepting and encouragement for common discussion, the villagers just follow what was told to do.
We could understand that because of length being the followers, and accustomed with autocratic atmosphere had been burden them years, it would be hard to change overnight. With reference to participatory appraisal, surveys, and information collection, we found that these kind of social patterns are very dangerous for the community. We began to set sup a social rehabilitation project and their main objective was to restore the breakdown of civil society to a normal traditional way of life through the Promotion of Civil Society Transformation project. This project is dealing with transforming the democratic civil society within the grass root of community and improve community livelihood through Self-Help group.
The project designs various ways to involve villagers, commune authorities in SHG group discussion and development plan of actions for the groups. The project sets up activities aimed at building capacity of group representatives and their members in various soft skills which could lead to better and more effective project management, work plan, resources management/mobilization and group facilitation, leadership and evaluation skills.
Prey Rum Chek village is located north-east of Samlaut district head quarter, very scattered away from the others villages. The road accessibility is extremely bad which cause children difficult to travel to the public school, located close to the main road, around 8 kilometers from that village. CVD supported temporary school is the only education facility existed in that village.
Self Help Group of Prey Rum Chek village is one of the existing 17 groups in the project target villages of Samlaut district, and was formed on 15 October 2004, consists of 12 poor families with 73 dependents (38 male and 35 female), 4 of the 12 head house holds are disabled, 2 are widows. Mrs. Soun Soy was democratically elected as the group leader with support from Mrs. Koy Phallin as the secretary.
The group members are selected based on selection criteria’, i.e. from the poor, more dependents families, women head of household and whose wills are to work in group to help each others within their groups/villages.
With the project records, we found that prior to the participation of the member into the self-help groups; they were living in a very difficult economic situation. They encountered many problems and faced many obstacles such as no crops, seeds, tools for planting, draft animal for helping to prepare land, no school for their children and food to feed the families. At least they are food shortfall for 2 – 3 months in a yearly cycle. They realize on forest vegetation, employ labor to other for compensate their daily food.
After working and involving in group support with the last two years, the members have now can save 132,000.00 riels (US$ 30) in each of group their saving box. The saving can be used as their loan capital whenever they are in any hard circumstances among their group. They also have the revolving fund supported from the project of 100,000 riels (approx. US$ 25) per family. Beside the revolving fund, the project also put aside some fund for direct support for seed, cow bank, fruit trees, light agriculture tools and more importantly group capacity building. “Our livings are very much improved, compare to the time before we joined the together. We solved most problems we met by using what we have in the group and with support from CVD” told Mrs. Soun Soy, group leader.
Mrs. Soun Soy suggests that CVD, should in the coming year, continues to support on the capacity build for the self help group leaders on management related skill and also equip group members with agricultural related skills. “The existing supports of CVD are vitally important for us to solve our day to day agriculture cultivation. Without the assistances, we cannot have today life (good living condition)” continued Mrs. Soun Soy. “Our plan for the future is to have a strong self help group and become a community based organization” ended Soun Soy proudly.
Conclusion:
One of the aims in development work is that all the work should ultimately lead to overall development of families and community as a whole. The entire achievement of development shall be met with basic security in terms of economic needs like food, health, and education. This security must be sustainable. One of the features of sustainability is that the families continue to enjoy security in terms of their basic needs even after the external/outsider withdraws its services from their community/groups. This mean that the community has to take over the processes initiated by the external agency, and continues to cater the needs of its members.
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