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Under the initiative of Mr Doeur Sarath, the CVCD management team spent 2004 devising and trialing several income generating initiatives to improve the financial sustainability of CVCD. Up until this year CVCD relied solely on the generosity of individuals and foundations abroad.
The following three initiatives were successfully implemented in 2004.
Rice Program
Rice is a major staple food in Cambodia. Rice cultivation occupies some 2 million
ha - or 90% of the total agricultural area - and is the major source of farm
income. In 2003, rice production was estimated at 4.3 million tonnes, with yields
averaging slightly more than 2 tonnes/ha. During 2003, a record 4.7 million tones
was produced. About 85 percent of Cambodia's 13 million people depend on
growing rice to make a living. In 1995 Cambodia began to export its rice to other
parts of the world.
CVCD became interested with the rice industry through attending a conference held
by the Rice Milling Association of Cambodia. CVCD learnt the importance of
promoting organic farming and supporting those local growers who use this practice.
CVCD worked closely with millers in Battambang, Takeo, Kampong Cham and Phnom Penh
buying organic rice which CVCD sold to communities, students, restaurants and guest
houses in Phnom Penh. CVCD Rice is sold at market price and delivered to
customers. There has been a steady increase in sales since the program began in
January 2004 and CVCD now sells over 20tonne of rice per month. The profit made
from sales is used to fund administrative and project costs at CVCD.
Sewing Co-operative
Since 1999, CVCD has been operating the Sewing Out Poverty program with funding
from American Jewish World Services. In 2004, CVCD opened a sewing co-op to provide
employment for graduate students whilst generating an income to support project
costs. The co-op works closely with a fashion designer and marketing assistant to
produce clothes that cater for the current fashion trends.
Child Sponsorship program
The continual rise in demand for the Non formal education program has required CVCD
to generate funding additional to that supported by Global Fund for Children. The
sponsorship program was established in July 2004 and encourages the international
community to support the education of a child in our program for one year. By mid
2005, CVCD hopes to have found over 500 sponsors for our children.
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