Field Transplanting on SRI

Lee and Ruben 2000 reported that it has become increasingly clear that minimal external-input requirements are insufficient to make new technologies attractive to poor smallholder farmers. And the priciple behind LEISA (Low External-Input and Sustainable Agriculture) that poor farmers, lacking capital and access to credit, need methods with wich they can improve yield and income without expensive inputss and without degrading the resource base on which they depend.

In such a sutuation, System of Rice Intensification (SRI) farming method was first introduced to MAdagaska and has been practiced in several other countries as an alternative sustainable low-cost system to the convention farming systems (Batuvitage, 2002:http://ciifad.cornel.edu).

SRI is based on the principle of developing healthy, large and deep root systems that can better resist drought, water logging and wind damage. It consists of six key elements to better manage inputs, utilize new ways to transplant seedlings, and to manage water and fertilizer application. Reports from thousands of SRI farmers and practitioners around the world indicate that SRI plants develop stronger stalks and more tillers, with higher yields and even better flavor qualities.
http://info.worldbank.org/etools/docs/library/245848/about.html

System of Rice Intensification was introduced to Cambodia by CEDAC who learned about SRI from the Low External Input for Sustainable Agriculture newsletter (LEISA) in December 1999 (Rabenandrasana 1999). In 2000, CEDAC also received more information on SRI from CIIFAD (Uphoff 1999 and 2000). On 20 July, 2011, ISAC School conducted the field tranplanting on SRI in Lumchung commune, Samroung district, and Takeo province. The objective of this transplating is to demonstat the priciples of SRI.

Free Medical Check Up and Treatment

The past thirty years of conflict has left Cambodia desperately impoverished. With a per capita income of less than US$300 per year and 40% of people living on less than US$10 per month, it is one of the poorest countries in the world. According to the UN Human Poverty Index, Cambodia ranks 73rd out of 78 developing countries, with one of the lowest Human Development Index rankings (137 out of 174 globally in 1999) including some of the worst human development indicators in South East Asia. (WHO CCS Cambodia 2001).

Lack of adequate water, sanitation, education, transportation, and communication have caused huge problems in the development of the health system. The most common diseases in Cambodia today are related to problems with water and sanitation.

According to Dr. My Samedy, the dean of the faculty of Medicine, the most important health problems are malnutrition, malaria, tuberculosis, and diarrheal diseases. Dr. Samedy estimates that 2 million Cambodians have malaria and 200,000 have tuberculosis. Agencies working in Cambodia identify major health problems somewhat differently, focusing on diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infection, malaria and dengue fever, and childhood illnesses. War injuries, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis, venereal diseases, yaws, and intestinal worms are common as well.
Source:http://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/cambodia/health-care-cambodia

Acording to problems above, Korean Free Medical Check up and Treatment have been done every years in Cambodia exspecially in Takeo province. On 13-15 July, 2011, 7 churches joined together to provide the treatment for poor Cambodian in Kirivong and Samrong district.

The program started in Lomchung, Presbart Chorn Chum and Beng Trai Khang Cherg commune located in Samrong and Kirivong district, Takeo province. As the results, there are 1057 patients had been treated. In this treatment, we found that the most health problems are related to hypertension, backache, stress (headache, stomachache, stiff neck, chest pain, dizzy, shortness of breath...), gastitis, diabetes, vaginal discharge, lungs, cataract, chronic disease, goiter, influenza, itch, sore eye, swolen gland, typhord, rheumatism...etc.

Instead of ISAC and Cambodian people, I would like to deeply Orkun (mean thanks) to all medical mission team as well as doctors, medicine and members exspecially to missionary Kim Gidae family who always care, love and recomended medical mission team to Cambodia.
We have nothing to provide you back except praying to God to provide you strength, good health and happiness in your families.
ISAC 17 July, 2011.

New Class with ISAC from March to December, 2011

Neighbor of Cambodia, non government organization, non profit which funded by churches in South Korea run a Institute of Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development (ISAC) since 2003 located in Lumchung commune, Samroung district, Takeo province.

The purpose of ISAC is to develop human resources in rural area of Cambodia to be a leader of their communities. Since 2003 until 2010, ISAC had already trained six generation which has the total of 160 students (female: 60).

ISAC is planning to select about 30 new students to join the agriculture class for 2011.They will provide the class and practical field of natural farming, English, Hygiene and sanitation, alternative technology (Solar energy, solar cooker, winter byte...), community development...etc.The new class will start from March to December of 2011.

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)