PRA Short Training Course for Oral ASU Team

On April 19-23, 2010, Padek organized a short training course on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) for Oral Area support Unit in Oral district, Kompong Speu province.
The objective of the training is to build staffs capacity both theories and practice on PRA.

The training was facilitated by Area Support Unit officers, Mr. Heng Sophat and Mr. Srey Kosal and field coordinator of CHF in Cambodia, Mr. Kong Phaleouk.

There had 13 participants (4 women) including Oral program manager, program support unit officers, agriculture specialist, gender specialist, GIS/MIS specialist, community development coordinator and community facilitators.

The training was focused on PRA tools such as social map, household data, wealth ranking/well being analysis, resource map, transect walk, historical analysis, seasonal calendar, mobility map, Venn diagram and problem identification and prioritization. After the training, participants evolved with piloting the PRA tools and reflection what they had learned. After the course, participants felt enthusiastic, gained more knowledge in theories and practice.

Padek-CHF meeting

On April 06, 2010, Padek-CHF organized a half day meeting to introduce the project on “The Livelihood Approach to Food Security, Environmental Protection and Governance” in Oral district, Kampong Speu province.

The objective of the meeting is to introduce and recognize of Padek-CHF staffs and project officially. In the meeting, there were 33 participants who are Padek Phmon Penh and Oral staffs, representative of CHF in Cambodia, Oral district officers, inspectors, commune leaders and village leaders.

Mr. Moung Thy, district officer, made the opening remarks and provided support to Padek-CHF to implement the project in Oral district. He also gave some valuable recommendations to new staffs and participants.

There have two presentations from representative of Padek and CHF organizations. Mr. Taing Soksiton, program manager of Padek, presented in highlight on history, activities, and achievment of Padek as well as Mr. Kong Phaleouk, representative of CHF in Cambodia, presented vission, mission, activities and achievment of CHF in difference countries. More details of hybrid project in Oral district were provided by ASU Officer, Mr. Heng Sophat and Mr. Touch Sokeoun, project manager in Oral.

After the presentations and some discussions, the participants could learn and understand more about the new hybrid project between Padek and CHF. The meeting was ended with very smooth and enjoyable.

Padek-CHF

CHF, a Canadian NGO with more than 40 years of experience in international development, has entered into a partnership agreement with PADEK (Partnership for Development in Kampochea) for the purpose of working together on a Sustainable Livelihoods Project. The project, funded through grant assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is aimed at targeted poor in rural communities move towards attaining sustainable livelihoods.

The Livelihoods Approach to Food Security, Environmental Protection and Governance project will make it possible for poor rural farmers, particularly women and marginalized households, to access appropriate farming technologies, quality seed, affordable credit through community savings groups, irrigation, and other income generation opportunities (sewing, basket weaving, cooking, hair dressing, motor cycle repair). The project will also support diversification of farming practices to include animal rearing, vegetable and fruit gardening and other non-farm income generating activities. Another important component of the project will focus on establishing, mobilizing and building the capacity of community based organizations and local government structures. The project will concentrate its work in three communes within Aoral district directly benefiting 1,500 men and 2,000 women.

The project will use a hybrid approach, based on CHF’s asset-based Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) and Padek’s Integrated Community Development (ICD) model, in order to effectively target and support poor households within Aoral district. During the month of February 2010 a project design workshop was conducted in Phnom Penh with the participation of Padek CHF staff and local community facilitators to exchange experiences and best practices around development approaches. This collaborative workshop resulted in the creation of a project methodology that draws upon CHF’s experience in Asia and Padek’s extensive community-based programming in Cambodia and includes tried and tested strategies that will ensure the project responds to the particular needs and challenges of the rural poor.

Haiti's Fonkoze Set to Rebuild Lives

On January 12, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, destroying an already fragile infrastructure and further devastating a vulnerable population struggling to survive.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, with 80% of the people living on less than $2 per day. Even before the earthquake, access to clean drinking water, adequate housing and health services was non-existent for most Haitians.

Since 2006, CHF has developed a relationship with the well-respected Haitian micro-finance organization Fonkoze. Fonkoze provides Haiti’s poorest people with the tools they need to lift themselves out of poverty.

After a devastating hurricane in 2008, Fonkoze offered support to some 25,000 Haitians who lost their homes and businesses. Many of these same people have lost everything once more. And once again, Fonkoze will work to ensure that their livelihoods can be re-established.

Once the immediate relief and recovery efforts have been completed, and the cameras are gone, Canada’s CHF and its partner in Haiti, Fonkoze, will be there.

Many of Haiti’s poor will have lost the few assets they owned. In partnership with CHF, Fonkoze will provide them with access to credit and other support, helping the most vulnerable feed their families and re-establish their lives.

To learn more about CHF Fonkoze and access updates on the earthquake’s impact, visit www.fonkoze.org.
To contribute to CHF's Haiti Emergency Fund, click here.

(Source: CHF in Action)