Project Objectives: 

The aim of the project is to help the poorest and most vulnerable members of the community by increasing their knowledge of diversified livelihoods, proper hygiene, and safe shelters. More knowledge of diversified livelihoods will lead more sophisticated agricultural techniques. Families can improve their hygiene when adopting hygienic ways to deal with sanitation facilities, to wash hands, to clean their houses and especially the cooking space. The safety of their shelter can be improved by repairing houses and providing material support. When the condition of the poorest families’ shelter improves, they will be able to focus more on income generation activities by fully participating in the project. In sum, the aim of the project is to increase income, reduce the spread of disease, and improve the health of the poorest families.

The project had two specific objectives:

1. By June 2015, 50 target families in three villages of Chansor commune in Soutr Nikum district should identify and analyze their livelihood options and develop a family business plan.
   
2. By June 2015, 50 target families in three villages of Chansor commune in Soutr Nikum district should become aware of hygiene around the household, become aware of health risks and start to improve their habits. 

Project Achievements:

There have been several achievements since the initiation of LHII in November 2014 in both family business planning and hygiene and sanitation awareness. The achievements related to the family business planning include:

• 50 of the poorest and most marginalized families were selected and they participated in livelihood and CLTS training
  
• Family business plans were developed and implemented in 3 target villages
  
• 50  houses were restored, which helped the poorest families to have a better quality of daily life, especially during rain-season. These families experienced an overall improvement of basic living conditions
  
• Unity, peace, and solidarity rose amongst the villagers, thanks to their teamwork and help to repair each other's houses.
  
• 5 demonstrations were organized by model families to show all target families how business plans should be successfully and sustainably implemented
  
• 3 chicken raising and 2 home gardening demonstrations were organized in 3 target villages
  
• 50 farmers support their village by sharing the technologies and techniques they learned about

The achievements  related to the hygiene and sanitation awareness include:

• 50 target families gained more knowledge and a better understanding of CLTS practices and successfully applied this new knowledge in their households.
  
• The number of cases of sickness and disease decreased by 50%  in 3 target villages.
  
• Direct access to clean water improved, this decreased the spread of water-borne diseases. This improved the overall health, which increased the overall quality of life.
  
• Clean water enabled the target families to improve the sanitation and hygiene.
  
• A surplus of water generated from filter supply per household were distributed to indirect beneficiaries on an ad-hoc basis. 

The achievements of the Livelihood and Health Improvement Initiative helped to make significant steps towards a healthier, cleaner, and a self-sustaining Cambodia. Although continued assistance and guidance from HURREDO staff and stakeholders are still necessary for the immediate future, the ultimate goal is to stop the project through different phases and hand it over to government institutions. The sustainability of the project will continue and will be maintained in the target areas, now and into the foreseeable future. 

Figure One: 13 implemented GAPs for successful home gardening or commercial horticulture in the dry season with the maximum hot weather: seedling production, mulching, staking, trellising, pruning, water management, fertilization program, insect pest management, post-harvest management. 

Figure Two: The first pig was raised was sold. She continued to raise the second pig in Chup village, Chansor commune, Sotr Nikum district, Siem Reap Province 

 

Figure Three: Chicken raising demonstration in Kok  Toeung village, Chansir commune, Sotr Nikum district, Siem Reap Province.