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

Rae is eager to create a better life for herself and her community.

A member of a Community Development Group (CDG) in remote Preah Vihear, Rae has recently been introduced to chicken raising to develop an income stream by PNKS, AOA’s local Cambodian partner.

With support, Rae has established a chicken coop to protect the chickens from predators and learn how to care for and grow them for eventual sale.

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.

For Rae, establishing a small chicken business provides hope for a better future and she enthusiastically shows her chicken coop and chickens to interested neighbours and visitors.

With almost half of all families in the area surviving on less than AUD $390 per annum, one of the core objectives of the Livelihoods and Education for Minority Groups program is to support Indigenous community members in developing diversified income-generating activities. Currently the program is focusing on chicken and pig raising.

The opportunity to join a Community Development Group (CDG) has enabled Rae to become a member of the savings group, deepen her relationships with others and now start a new business.

Despite the many hardships she faces, Rae now has hope that that the future will be better.

Now that’s something to crow about (sorry).

Below: Rae is rightfully proud of her growing poultry business.