AOA is excited to partner with Ponleu Ney Kdey Sangkhum (PNKS) who works in the poorest region of Cambodia.

AOA’s local partner Ponleu Ney Kdey Sangkhum (PNKS) is establishing and supporting community-based development groups (CDGs) in 27 rural villages, building skills and capacity to develop responses to identified needs within communities. Focus areas include education, improved livelihoods, climate change adaptation, peacebuilding, and health.
Located in remote Preah Vihear Province, the Integrated Rural Development and Community Empowerment Program works amongst members of the indigenous Kuy minority group.

The role of each Community Development Group (CDG) is to improve village well-being, particularly for vulnerable families, promoting increased involvement in community activities and decision-making. The project forms CDGs by selecting community volunteers motivated to work for positive change in their community. CDGs meet on a regular basis to plan development work and to address community problems.

CIDGs develop their own vision, mission, and values. The Project provides CDG members (and other key community leaders) with training in organisational skills, leadership, project management, livelihoods, climate-smart agriculture, and disaster risk reduction.

The project also provides training to staff/leaders from other local organisations including Local Authorities (LAs), Health Posts/Centres, School Management Committees (SMCs) and other Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). Some minor infrastructure is provided to schools and vulnerable families, where appropriate (e.g., latrines, and wells). The project builds connections between CIDGs, Health Centres, LAs, SMCs and CSOs, increasing the positive impact of all these organisations for communities, and improving community resilience to climate change and the ability to recover from shocks such as COVID-19.

Above Left: A Community Development Group in Preah Vihear with PNKS staff. Above Right: Ratana, Lida and Pisey members of the group.

It's exciting to see AOA partner in a project in East Asia.

More updates and stories of change will follow.

The Integrated Rural Development and Community Empowerment Program relies on funding from AOA supporters and also receives funding from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).