Many families in Cambodia, especially those already disadvantaged, are facing uncertain and difficult times in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. With places of work closed, enforced isolation, movement restricted and many of the usual community activities suspended, new ways to occupy time and earn a living are becoming very important.
This is why, in Pailin City, both Sister Vangie and Father Carlos have decided to focus on developing vegetable growing and farming projects involving local families. The benefits are many and obvious: a small –scale approach, use of natural resources, self-sufficiency, self-regulation, sustainability, and environmental protection. And it provides a much-needed opportunity to earn an income to support their families. Pailin Province is well-known as an area for market gardening so this is a very suitable initiative.
Support Cambodia have agreed to fund the set-up costs on two sites: at the Ochra Kandal Farm [see previous post for more about this] and a Vegetable Garden on a piece of land adjacent to the Catholic Church, a short distance from the centre of Pailin City.
At the Farm, the money will fund the planting of 300 cashew nut trees, a sustainable cash crop which will provide an income over the coming years and right now, employment for those living and working at the Farm. The recently completed Support Cambodia-funded Borewell will help enormously to get the project going.
The Vegetable Garden will grow a variety of vegetables such as cabbage, cucumber, peppers, egg plant, beans bitter melon and tomatoes, all of which will benefit the health of the families directly involved with surplus sold locally at an affordable price. The initial set-up funding of $1000 will prepare the site, connect the water supply and provide the seedlings.
The top set of pictures are Ochra Kandal and the bottom set the vegetable garden site.
The total cost of setting up both these sites is around £1300 and the money has already been sent. Watch this space for the results!!