The Community Advancement Organisation (CAO) has been a beacon of hope and resilience for rural communities in Cambodia since its founding in 2021. Emerging from the Cambodian branch of Mekong Plus, CAO carries forward a mission that started in 2007. Its aim? To lift families out of acute poverty through integrated community development initiatives that span education, health, agriculture, employment, and environmental sustainability.
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A Journey Rooted in Compassion and Challenges
CAO’s roots trace back to the vision of Mekong Plus and the efforts of Bernard Kervyn and his sister Claire, who worked in refugee camps along the Thai border. Their desire to extend support to Cambodia, a country facing severe poverty, led to the establishment of projects that would eventually evolve into CAO.
However, the journey was not without its hurdles. Language barriers, cultural differences, and adapting to new mentalities posed significant challenges. One of Mekong Plus’s primary objectives has always been to build bridges between the Cambodian and Vietnamese people, who often hold prejudices against each other. Over 18 years, these efforts have led to positive changes, fostering cooperation and mutual respect between teams on both sides of the border. Today, CAO stands as a testament to perseverance, collaboration, and the transformative power of grassroots development.
Empowering Rural Communities: CAO’s Multidisciplinary Approach
At the core of CAO’s success is its integrated approach to community development. With 8 dedicated staff members, CAO operates in various fields, including agriculture, health, education, gender equality, and the environment. This holistic strategy ensures that every household can participate and contribute to the development process.
Agriculture and Livestock: Building Resilient Rural Economies
Agriculture is the backbone of Cambodia’s rural economy, but traditional farming practices are often insufficient to provide a stable livelihood. CAO works closely with farmers to introduce innovative and sustainable agricultural methods. Agronomists and veterinarians live in the villages, listening to farmers and offering practical solutions that deliver superior performance.
One of CAO’s standout initiatives is the pilot farmer model, where selected farmers test new techniques and later share their knowledge with others. This peer-to-peer approach encourages collaboration and ensures that solutions are both practical and relatable.
The organisation also promotes the use of protective nets instead of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, which shield crops from heavy rains and pests while allowing year-round cultivation. This not only saves on chemical costs but also improves crop health and yields.
In livestock management, CAO’s Animal Bank program provides families in need with female cows, along with training on proper care and vaccination. After a few years, beneficiaries donate two baby cows to another family, fostering a culture of sharing and support. Additionally, the introduction of dry litter systems in animal stalls has reduced pollution and provided high-quality compost for adjacent crops. These efforts collectively help rural families achieve greater food security and economic stability.
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Health and Hygiene: Protecting Lives and Reducing Poverty
Illnesses and accidents can devastate rural families, plunging them deeper into poverty. CAO takes a proactive approach to health by offering support for accurate diagnoses, emergency assistance, and preventive education.
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For families without proper sanitation, CAO has helped over 1,200 households install clean latrines, significantly improving hygiene standards and reducing health risks. Over 90% of households in Rumdoul now have access to latrines, making this program nearly successful and completed since 2019. Emergency health support is also provided for families facing critical situations, covering transport and medical expenses when needed.
Today, CAO is implementing a groundbreaking program focused on improving eyesight for children in Rumdoul. Eye screenings have been conducted for 10,000 children, with initial findings revealing that 6%, or 600 children, require specialist care. Among these cases, more than half need glasses to correct their vision. Unfortunately, many parents are unaware of the importance of eye health and how to care for their children’s vision. By addressing these challenges, the program aims to enhance children’s ability to learn and succeed academically, ultimately transforming their lives. The initiative has received full support and a warm welcome from local authorities.
Education: Opening Doors to a Brighter Future
Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. CAO is committed to ensuring that children from the poorest families can stay in school and pursue their dreams.
The organisation provides scholarships of $50 per year per child, enabling families to cover essential educational expenses. Additionally, CAO offers bicycles to students living far from school, with families contributing a small portion of the cost. This initiative not only improves attendance rates but also fosters a sense of community pride and ownership.
One of the most inspiring aspects of CAO’s education program is the strong community participation. Schools and local residents work together to identify deserving students and mobilise resources. As a result, scholarship recipients often perform better academically and are more likely to complete their education.
CAO also focuses on fostering education and early development in rural communities. In addition to introducing daily dental hygiene exercises in several primary schools to help children develop healthy habits, the organisation has established libraries in villages and provided educational tools for young children in community kindergartens. These efforts, supported by contributions from donors and Mekong Quilts product sales, aim to create a nurturing environment where children can learn, play, and grow.
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Microcredit: Empowering Families to Build Sustainable Livelihoods
Access to credit is essential for economic empowerment, but traditional loans often come with high interest rates and inflexible terms. CAO’s microcredit program offers a lifeline for rural families, providing small loans accompanied by technical support and training.
The process begins with close collaboration with local authorities to identify eligible families. CAO ensures that loans are tailored to the specific needs and capacities of each household. Beneficiaries receive regular coaching and agree to follow best practices, such as sourcing vaccinated chicks for poultry farming.
Over a period of four to five years, families typically see their incomes double, with an average annual increase of 25%. CAO’s microcredit program is not just about financial assistance—it’s about restoring dignity and fostering resilience. The impressive 99% repayment rate is a testament to the program’s success.
By supporting families in this way, CAO helps them break free from the cycle of poverty and achieve long-term economic stability.
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Environmental Sustainability: Protecting the Planet and Livelihoods
Environmental degradation poses a significant threat to rural communities. CAO is committed to promoting sustainable practices that protect the environment and improve livelihoods.
One of the key initiatives is the plastic control program in schools, where teachers and students adopt good practices to reduce plastic waste. This not only keeps school environments clean but also instils lifelong habits in young people.
CAO also encourages tree planting in pagodas and schools, providing saplings and ensuring they are protected and watered. The organisation rewards communities with additional plants when initial efforts are successful.
In agriculture, CAO promotes the use of biogas systems, where cow and pig dung is converted into methane gas for cooking. This innovation reduces greenhouse gas emissions, preserves local forests, and eliminates foul odours from animal stalls. By adopting these practices, rural families can lower their living costs and contribute to environmental preservation.
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Kosal Yann: A Decade of Dedication to Rural Development
Kosal Yann, CAO’s head project manager, embodies the spirit and resilience that drive CAO’s mission forward. Graduating with a degree in Animal Science from Phnom Penh’s Royal University of Agriculture, she joined Mekong Plus in 2009 as the organisation’s first female livestock expert. Her journey from urban Kandal province to rural Rumduol Village in Svay Rieng province opened her eyes to the harsh realities faced by rural Cambodians.
When I first arrived, there were no streetlights, and farmers had to charge batteries using petrol generators just to power lights at night,” she recalls. The initial culture shock was overwhelming, but Kosal’s heart quickly changed after meeting local families and volunteers, understanding their daily struggles, and seeing the potential for meaningful change.
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Transforming Lives Through Livestock Projects
Kosal’s expertise was instrumental in developing CAO’s innovative “livestock banks.” Under this model, families receive a female cow and the training necessary for its care and management, including essential vaccination techniques. In return, after four years, beneficiaries donate two calves to another family, creating a sustainable cycle of growth.
This approach has since expanded to include poultry and pig projects, allowing families to choose livestock suited to their living conditions. When a swine flu outbreak devastated Svay Rieng’s pig farmers, Kosal led efforts to help them transition to alternative livestock, mitigating the economic impact.
Her leadership extended beyond animal husbandry. Kosal’s team introduced biogas systems that use animal waste to produce methane for cooking, reducing environmental impact and household expenses. These innovations have not only empowered families economically but have also improved their living conditions.
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Championing Women and Education Initiatives
As a mother of three, Kosal understands the challenges faced by women who must work far from home. Her partnership with Mekong Quilts initially brought new opportunities for women in Rumduol by creating village-based workgroups for papier-mâché and quilting workshops. These initiatives allowed women to earn a stable income while staying close to their families. However, due to the economic crisis and the closure of Mekong Quilts’ shops in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the program has been suspended. At present, market conditions are not favourable for reopening the stores, making it difficult to resume support for the women artisans
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Kosal’s dedication to education is also evident in CAO’s primary school projects, where daily dental hygiene exercises have become routine thanks to donor contributions. “It is our priority that children stay healthy and in school for better opportunities in life,” Kosal says passionately.
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A Call to Action: Join the Movement
The story of CAO and its impact on rural Cambodian communities is a testament to the power of grassroots development and community participation. As CAO continues to grow and evolve, your support can make a tangible difference.
Here’s how you can contribute:
- Donate: Support CAO’s projects and help improve the lives of rural families.
- Sponsor a Child: Provide scholarships to children so they can continue their education.
- Buy from Mekong Quilts: Support women artisans by purchasing handmade products.
- Join an Eco-Tour: Experience Cambodia’s rural
