OVERVIEW
The town of Poipet sits on the Cambodia/Thai border, and is a popular gambling destination for Thai tourists. This border town is also used as an important transit point for human trafficking. It presents many daily risk factors to the people of the Poipet community and surrounds. Poverty is rampant and many Cambodians cross into Thailand to seek employment. This project works in the villages around Poipet, providing education about the risks of human trafficking and basic health information. This provides a jumping off point to connect with the community and offer business training and micro-loans to interested families. The aim is to assist families to set up small businesses, reducing their need to travel to Thailand for work, and protect their children from trafficking by putting them in school.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT
Our local partner has been working in the community for a number of years and has previously run successful livelihood development projects. We like that the project doesn’t just focus on establishing businesses, but also addresses other crucial problems through its education about trafficking and health. We appreciate the concern to provide income to families to enable them to stay together and to thrive in their own community.
BUDGET INFORMATION
Funds needed for 2017 – $35,700. This is a 3-year project with a total budget of $110,390. (Year 3 budget: $35,390). The budget provides wages for staff to implement a training and micro-loans program for up to 40 families per year. Each family will be coached and encouraged over their loan repayment period.
THE NEED
Poipet is in an extremely poor area of Cambodia, and one with many risk factors. It is a transit point between Thailand and Cambodia, a major gambling/prostitution destination and the exploitation of young girls is rife. Unemployment is high and skill and education levels are low. Often families cross into Thailand to get low-paid manual work, depriving children of an education. This project provides a way for people to empower themselves, and to break free from poverty.
LIFE IMPACT
