On the Road in Cambodia

Clear Path Southeast Asia Program Director Melody Mociulski is visiting programs and partners in Cambodia with Board of Directors President Laurie Miller.

Mid-ninety's and three showers today. Guess I shouldn't complain as our taxi driver told us it was up to 44 degrees Celsius last year during the hot season. And yet, we saw a couple young Cambodian girls wearing jackets yesterday.

Laurie and I met with our implementing partner, CVCD (Cambodian Volunteers for Community Development) today. After a year of email and Skype, it was delightful to have face-to-face time with Sama and the team. It is remarkable to see their strides over the past year on the road to sustainability as an organization and as individual staff members. Both Saveth and Sylong have made significant improvements with their English (definitely important to me as I have no sense of Khmer).

I told them about my interest in savings programs, a major mind shift to go from "borrow & spend" to "save first / spend later." I shared with them that I met with members of an organization in Thailand that is doing this successfully in a few of the Burmese communities.

Saveth blew me away when he explained that they are already piloting a savings project out at the Farmers Co-op. They laid the groundwork by discussing with the villagers the benefits and the mechanics, and they're moving forward. For me, it was a tangible example of how far CVCD has come. Not only are they being creative, but they are thinking strategically, financially, and most definitely, compassionately.



Sama took Laurie and I out to one of the newer squatter communities schools on the outskirts of town. This isn't a program funded by CPI, but I believe that much of their success is due to the capacity building support provided by CPI. These schools are CVCD's core strength and a visible example of the difference they are making in the lives of Cambodians.

After a half hour bumpy, dusty ride in the tuk tuk, we turned down a dirt 'lane' that was barely visible. Families living in this community used to live on the streets after being forced out to the outskirts of town by the government. It resembles a shanty town but is definitely an improvement for these families. Turning a corner with many curious faces staring out at us, we arrived at the one-room school where 24 boys and girls were taking exams.

CVCD built the school and provides a very dedicated teacher, school supplies and one set of uniforms for each child. When the children move on to secondary school, CVCD provides each child with a bicycle for transport to school. Without the bicycle, they would not be able to attend school given the distance and their responsibilities to their families. These children would not have an education without this opportunity. They are the hope for the future for their families and for Cambodia, and are thoroughly motivated to learn.