Feature: China-aided pilot project sets good example for poverty alleviation in Cambodia's rural areas

Aerial photo taken on Aug. 20, 2022 shows the Tanorn village in Doung commune of Bati district in Takeo province, Cambodia. (Photo by Chea Munyrith/Xinhua)

TAKEO, Cambodia, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Srun Songthuy, a 37-year-old farmer, lives a better life after he started a chicken farm with the support of a China-funded pilot project in Tanorn village of Bati district's Doung commune.

Launched in January 2021, the project of Cambodia-China Friendship Village for Poverty Alleviation has been bringing great changes to this remote village, which is situated about 40 km south of the capital Phnom Penh.

Songthuy's family is one of the 125 households in the village to have benefited from the three-year project, which has not only improved the villagers' livelihoods, but also developed the village's basic infrastructure.

LIFTING VILLAGERS OUT OF POVERTY

Prior to the project, Songthuy could barely make ends meet as a vegetable farmer earning only 60 U.S. dollars per month, or 2 dollars a day, which is below the national poverty line of 10,951 riels, or 2.7 dollars.

With assistance from the project, the father of four has constructed chicken coops, bought dozens of chickens for raising, and received training in poultry farming.

"Now, my living conditions are better. In a month, my revenue is 700,000 riels (170 dollars) to 800,000 riels (195 dollars) from selling vegetables and chickens," he told Xinhua.

"Averagely, after clearing all expenses, I can save a bit over 300,000 riels (per month)," he added.

Songthuy added that the village now has access to solar power, concrete roads and clean drinking water with help of China.

"Previously, there were only unpaved roads that were very difficult to travel (when you are) in a hurry," he said. "Now, there is solar power, and at night, we can travel at any time because lamps have lighted up the roads."

Suos Sivutha, a 48-year-old representative of the villagers, said the project has offered a ray of hope for all villagers.

"The project has provided us specific occupations with a sustainable income, even during the COVID-19 pandemic," he told Xinhua.

"It has not only helped us get out of poverty but also provided us a convenient life as we now have access to good roads, clean water, and health care service," Sivutha added.

BUILDING BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Doung commune chief Nop Touch said Tanorn village has a total area of 72 hectares and is home to 125 households with 556 people.

"Tanorn village was previously the smallest and poorest of all eight villages in Doung commune," he told Xinhua.

Nop said the project has brought the significant development of basic infrastructure such as water supply, roads, and solar power.

People used to collect water from wells or ponds, but now all villagers' houses have access to clean water. Also, concrete roads have replaced former ones that would be slippery with mud on rainy days, he said.

The commune chief said that in the past, the village had no electricity, so villagers went to bed after sunset. Now with the solar street lamps, villagers can have a stroll or chit-chat at night along the streets.

"This project has set a good example for poverty alleviation in Cambodia's rural villages," he said. "I hope such a project will be implemented in other rural villages of Cambodia in the near future so as to help accelerate the government's efforts in reducing poverty."

Funded by the China Foundation for Peace and Development and carried out by Cambodia's Civil Society Alliance Forum (CSAF), the project aimed at transforming Tanorn village into a model village to contribute to poverty alleviation in Cambodia, said CSAF's planning and project director Chea Munyrith.

"The project has been focusing on improving village roads, providing family clean water, giving health care support, developing agriculture and animal raising, and providing vocational training," he told Xinhua.

"It has adapted to the practical condition in Cambodia and China's successful experience and best practices in poverty alleviation have been used in this project," he added.

Munyrith said the project is a symbol of fraternal friendship between China and Cambodia and it will provide experience and practices for the Cambodian government in its poverty reduction work.

Aerial photo taken on Aug. 20, 2022 shows the Tanorn village in Doung commune of Bati district in Takeo province, Cambodia. (Photo by Chea Munyrith/Xinhua)