Khun M

Cambodia’s climate is subtropical. The dry season runs from November to May and the rainy season from May to November. Densely forested mountains surround large plains. The country continues to recover from 25 years of civil war and the brutal Khmer Rouge communist regime. One in every 236 Cambodians has lost a limb due to land mines. World Vision is helping to rid the country of land mines as well as provide skills training to the disabled.

One of the poorest districts in its province, Prasath Sambo is located in north-central Cambodia. While the land looks fertile, poor water systems make farming very difficult. Approximately 65 percent of people lack adequate food for four to six months annually, and others go hungry for the whole year. Nearly all villagers own their own rice field but their yields are low. The poorest families lack irrigation systems and so combined with droughts, poor farming knowledge, and a lack of rice seed, production is far below its potential. World Vision has stepped in to teach community members about growing home gardens and raising animals.

Educational opportunities are limited due to the cost of tuition and school books. Currently, 70 percent of Cambodia’s 14 million people are under 30 years old. This young generation faces various challenges. With some children leaving school to help with farming, it has become more important to offer educational opportunities, like vocational training. World Vision assists families with small loans to begin businesses that provide families with income to send their children to school.