Yolanda Henry (FAUSA) was in Cambodia and had an opportunity to go visit FAWCO field wells in two villages in S’ang District, Kandal Province about 50 km south of Phnom Penh. She said "It is marvelous to see how water helps families like these prosper and support themselves. With a rapid growing season it is possible for families to start earning $250/month, which is required of them when they received a well. People are happy and in good health."
Just back from Cambodia, Yolanda Henry (FAUSA) reports back from her recent visit to the farmers who have benefitted directly from the wells. Tabitha Cambodia Wells for Clean Water staff arranged for her to visit FAWCO field wells in two villages in S’ang District, Kandal Province about 50 km south of Phnom Penh. |
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Sok Kha, on the left, is 24 and this is her field. Crops are rotated based on market demand. |
Spring onions are another good cash crop for families to earn income. |
Chom Tom raises fish in a pond that she fills using a field well. Over a 7 month period she can raise 2000 fish, as well as irrigate a field to grow vegetables. |
From this field of cabbage each row will yield 50 kg for which the farmer gets $0.70/kg at market. |
Funds received and wells constructed to date:
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Date |
Note |
Amount |
Balance |
|
02/11/11 |
35 Field Wells |
$7,000.00 |
$7,000.00 |
|
03/02/11 |
40 Family Wells |
$3,984.00 |
$10,984.00 |
|
03/29/11 |
Field Wells |
$12,000.00 |
$22,984.00 |
|
03/29/11 |
Family Wells |
$7,975.00 |
$30,959.00 |
|
09/08/11 |
16 Field Wells |
$3,990.00 |
$34,949.00 |
|
02/11/11 |
18 Field Wells |
$4,201.60 |
$39,150.60 |
Funds received November 2 are from AWC Dusseldorf via the Lotus Foundation.
Field visit Saturday, November 19, 2011
Tabitha staff arranged to take me to see FAWCO field wells in two villages in S’ang District, Kandal Province about 50 km south of Phnom Penh.
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It was a Saturday morning and the families were busy harvesting bok choy to take to market. There’s a good demand for bok choy by the Chinese, so it is a popular cash crop for these farmers. Harvest was in full swing, with labourers being hired to help. It is a water intensive crop, so the field well can support approximately 1 hectare of the vegetable. It takes approximately 6 weeks for a crop to mature, and each planting can generate as much as $1200 at the market. |
Vegetables take a lot of water to grow, needing watering both morning and night, but the return is much greater than growing rice.
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This farmer has just received a well and planted his first crop of gourmet bok choy, which gets an even better price at market. |
He is thanking us for the well |
Morning Glory is eaten by both people and used as fodder for pigs. |
This sow has already produced 10 litters of piglets. Sold at market the piglets each bring in $50. The sow can have two litters a year and breed for 8 to 10 years. |
It is marvelous to see how water helps families like these prosper and support themselves. With a rapid growing season it is possible for families to start earning $250/month, which is required of them when they received a well. People are happy and in good health.
I will post all my pictures on FAWCO’s Facebook page to share.
Yolanda Henry
November 19, 2011
