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Mr. Nuth Sam Oeun is the leader of a farmer group founded in 2000 and supervised by Cambodian Agricultural Scientists Association (CAMASA), a Heifer project partner in Samyoung Village, Kampong Ror District. In a meeting with the farmer group, Mr. Nuth Sam Oeun gave a brief report to the delegates about the situation before and after the group formation. Facilitated by CAMASA and the former minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (AFF), the farmer group began with 14 families who received piglets and technical support from Heifer for livelihood improvement. In practicing Heifer’s 12 Cornerstones and applying the Passing on the Gifts (POG) approach, the number of the group members increased to 46 families with their saving fund of 7.7 million Riels (approx. USD 1,878) as their local resource base. Strongly impressed by the Heifer model, the current minister of AFF has supported and provided an additional six cows since 2002 to the partner families to strengthen their community in food security and development. After eight years, their standard of living has been changed while the community has become strong and cohesive.
During the meeting, Dr. Mahendra shared his idea to prompt the group to think creatively of other income-generating activities. He encouraged the group to make money by using their saving fund in doing business, such as opening a grocery store to get margins for increasing the group’s fund. He was fascinated by the new aspect of CAMASA involving community development activities by establishing good relationship with the Ministry of AFF and other government leaders to gain their support.
On the same day of the meeting, he attended a POG celebration for five families who received five buffaloes from the original families. The ceremony was attended by local authorities, the Commune Council, the Director of Provincial Agriculture Department and partner families in Chrey Thom Village, Prey Angkanh Commune, Chantrea District.
On the last day of his visit, Dr. Mahendra met with another community supervised by Cambodian Farmer Economic Development (CFED), in Boeng Kreal Village, Angtaso Commune, Svay Chrum District. CFED, a local non-governmental organization based in Svay Rieng Province, has had a partnership with Heifer Cambodia since 2007, focusing on integrated farming systems, health education, community capacity building and livestock and horticulture development. The organization also received funds from AusAid and Mekong Plus to expand its projects in other villages. However, no matter where the funds came from, CFED has applied the Heifer model in implementing those projects in terms of Value-based Holistic Community Development (VBHCD) and POG approaches.
Dr. Mahendra was impressed with how deep the Self-Help Group (SHG) understands the Cornerstones and that they have put them into practice. He shared his own story of working hard to overcome poverty. However, working in development almost 30 years, he says he made more mistakes than successes. “But I always told myself that I must do better tomorrow than I did yesterday,” said Mahendra, adding, “That kind of attitude has helped me to move from a farmer to where I am now. Everybody can be successful.” After working with Heifer, he learned that the VBHCD approach is the right path for development. His story inspired the SHG to keep thinking and working on how they can make the group even stronger tomorrow.
In response to the visit, Mr. Ouk Sek, leader of Boeng Kreal Village, expressed deep thanks to Dr. Mahendra for sharing his experiences. With support from Heifer and the project partner CFED, the SHG plans to work harder toward development through caring for each other and sharing their knowledge and resources. “The SHG has to help each other through passing on the gifts, not only resources, but also knowledge,” said Sek. “The money can be left behind, but your knowledge will go with you when you die. Therefore, you have to pass it on to other needy people.”
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From August 12-13, Dr. Mahendra Lohani, Vice President of Asia/ South Pacific Program, visited two Heifer-funded communities in
