World Vision Cambodia’s almost 16 year mission in Kampong Thom province’s Stoung district has benefited over 75,000 people, 25,000 of them directly, in the areas of health, nutrition, education and child protection.

In 2006, the international NGO launched its mission in the district after noting a high incidence of children dropping out of school. Stoung also had unusually high childbirth mortality rates and poor general standards of hygiene. World Vision targeted 27 villages in three communes for assistance.

“The development programme in Stoung district began in 2006, and will be completed this September. We estimate that the programmes have benefited more than 75,000 people – 25,000 of them directly,” it said in a press release marking the achievements.

The Stoung district programmes were funded to the tune of almost $6 million by donors from New Zealand, predominantly, it noted.

“World Vision, local authorities and local communities in Stoung district will celebrate the communities’ achievements and close the 16-year development programme at the district hall on August 10,” it said.

District governor Say Kimlam said the organisation had partnered with authorities in Bantob Stoung, Chamna Leu and Trea communes, especially in the areas of health, nutrition, education and child protection.

“We are very grateful for the work World Vision has done to look after our people,” he said.

Nuon Sinol, an official from the Department of Education, Youth and Sports, said World Vision had worked with the district education office to provide equipment for libraries, training for teachers, and training for children’s councils.

“Through this cooperation, we have seen many changes – children’s reading levels have improved, as has their hygiene – and the schools themselves are far better equipped than they were,” added Sinol.

World Vision Cambodia has also established 30 reading camps with the participation of more than 1,000 children and improved and standardised 15 libraries for the benefit of almost 3,000 primary students.

To ensure that the children’s welfare will continue to improve after the programme ends, 22 community savings groups and two agricultural development communities have been established.

Tham Buntha, the principal of Kean primary School, one of the many schools that received support from World Vision, said it had been invaluable in the development of the school.

“Their programmes gave schools a way to interact with the communities, which meant we could develop rapidly,” he said.