Whilst our Children’s and Youth Projects look to the future, our Family Projects recognize that there are real issues here and now and looks to work in these.  We understand that if we only support children and youth, then the path to development is slow.  If we are able to work in families and improve their situation, development happens more rapidly.

Our family projects are working in training and enabling community members to take better care of themselves and their families.  We do that through:

  • Planting micro-finance schemes. These are essentially co-operative savings and lending schemes.  Care for Cambodia helps to set up the scheme, including rules, documentation and training of individuals.  We then invest in the scheme for a period of one year to allow the scheme to start lending operations immediately.  After one year we withdraw our funds and allow the scheme to continue without external investment.  These schemes allow communities to help each other. Borrowing is only allowed for profit making initiatives.
  • Small business generation. Care for Cambodia provides training for small business enterprises and assists in finding a market for products.  In 2018 we trained members of our family projects in making washing-up liquid. We helped find raw materials and equipment and now we have 4 provincial projects regularly making washing-up liquid and selling it in their communities.  This product has a >50% profit margin but it is still affordable for community members to purchase.
  • We provide training in many areas which benefit communities.  The training provided includes:
    • First aid.
    • Agricultural techniques.
    • Positive parenting skills, the rights of the child.
    • Drug and alcohol awareness.
    • Health and nutrition.

We are always looking for ways to grow and strengthen our Family Projects. Here are our main focus areas for 2023:

Recovery
1. Recovery to pre-Covid19 number of students attending our projects.
2. Recovery too, at least, pre-Covid school retention rate I.e very low school drop-out.
3. Reinstating our university scholarship scheme.
Development
1. Reflecting and promoting HOPE for the future in all that we do.
2. Maximising technology to reduce the number of face-to-face meetings, saving cost and time.
3. Up-skilling staff to efficiently use technology solutions for community development.
4. Assessment and action. Closing village projects where sufficient development has been seen to have occurred.
5. Seeking new locations which have a genuine need for CFC investment and have the Human Resources available to make development happen.
Environment
1. Continuing the ‘hearts and minds’ strategy to change attitudes to environmental issues in rural Cambodia.
2. Progress the plastic recycling program to phase two, into a fully-fledged income-generating project.
3. Reduce our carbon footprint further by maximising solar power, reducing paper & plastic usage, and eliminating unnecessary journeys.

You can help us achieve our 2023 goals by purchasing a hygiene kit and alleviating some of the financial burdens for both Care for Cambodia and students’ families.  Purchase a hygiene kit today!

The UN has compiled a list of 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to transform our world. They are listed below and can be viewed here: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/

GOAL 1: No Poverty

GOAL 2: Zero Hunger

GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being

GOAL 4: Quality Education

GOAL 5: Gender Equality

GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality

GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

GOAL 13: Climate Action

GOAL 14: Life Below Water

GOAL 15: Life on Land

GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions

GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal

Of these 17 goals, our family projects are helping in 10.  Those marked in bold text are those in which our family projects are making a difference.