Bold Steps Boost Family Income
Today, Chinteang is a successful small business owner and holds leadership positions as secretary of her savings group and as an elected member of the local commune-based organization. But it hasn’t always been this way.
Chinteang and Voeun and have four children. Before OREDA came to their community, their livelihood depended on traditional rice farming, small-scale crop cultivation, and animal raising, supplemented by Voeun’s income from a nearby cement factory. Despite their hard work, their combined earnings weren’t enough to cover daily expenses, particularly the high cost of sending children to school.
Hoping to improve their situation, Chinteang tried raising poultry and maintaining a small garden. However, limited technical knowledge led to frequent losses. Her chickens and ducks often fell sick from a variety of diseases. Her crops suffered from pest infestations, leaving her with minimal yields. She considered migrating, but was concerned about leaving her children, home and farm behind
In 2022, she joined the program. Eager to learn and improve her family’s prospects, Chinteang joined the producer group. With the encouragement of OREDA staff, she ran for and was elected to the commune-based organization. She participated in numerous learning opportunities, including training in chicken raising, family financial management, communication and peacebuilding, safe migration and anti-human trafficking, leadership, food processing and packaging, savings group management, value chain development, and business planning, as well as exchange visits to successful local agribusinesses.
These experiences inspired her to rethink her family’s financial approach and take bold new steps. She launched two small businesses: a mobile vegetable and food stall, and a home-based mobile manicure service. Together, these ventures now generate a steady monthly income of $50-75. She also set up an elevated, flood-free area for raising poultry, providing her household with food and an additional income of $25-50 per month. With improved financial literacy, she now saves regularly, depositing $5 each month with her savings group.
Looking ahead, Chinteang envisions expanding her small businesses and ensuring her children continue their education. She remains committed to sharing her knowledge and experiences with others.
Cambodia South is led by World Renew and local partner Occupation of Rural Economic Development and Agriculture (OREDA)