Sinuon, 37, and his wife, Saody, 33 live with their three sons in a remote village in Cambodia. Both of them work in Tonle Sap Lake, far from home. They used to leave their children in the care of their neighbours every time they went to work.
Previously, the family lived in a small hut made of a tin roof and covered in plastic sheets. The plastic sheets didn’t last very long so they had to spend time and money replacing them every six to eight months. They had no toilet or access to one close by, so they and their children had to use the nearby fields.
“It is very difficult, especially when it rains. It gets wet and leaks everywhere. My children could not sleep and are afraid of venomous insects,” said Saody.
In September 2021, the Village Support Group together with the local authority referred Sinuon and Saody’s family to Habitat for Humanity Cambodia. Their house was upgraded, and a latrine was built as part of the “New Start, New Life” program.
Now, with the new home, their kids can sleep safely and soundly without being scared of insects. Most importantly, Sinuon, Saody and their children worry less and can focus on thriving.
Saody also completed family development training and with the help of a small grant, started a farm. She grows wax gourd, chilli, bottle gourd and cabbage, and raises chickens.
“So far, I have been able to earn about $50 from selling vegetables and chicken. I will save this money to expand my farming and chicken raising. I hope I can earn more, and my family life will be better,” she said.
This project receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and is in partnership with our implementing partner Habitat for Humanity Cambodia to provide access to safe shelter.
