Chhouy Chhoum was born in 1998, and he is one of a family of 4
children. Like the majority of people in this province Chhouy and
his family speak Khmer and are Buddhist. He lives with his family
in a house made of bamboo and thatch with a thatched roof.
Chhouy lives in Banteay Meanchey province in north-west Cambodia,
bordering Thailand. The majority of the population are refugees and
ex-Khmer Rou~e fighters from Cambodia's civil conflict.
Most families depend on agriculture for food and livelihoods. The
main crops grown are rice, soy bean, sesame, mung bean and corn.
Access to cultivatable land is limited due to landmines, a result
of many years of conflict. Many families keep livestock such as
cows, pigs and goats. Their staple diet is rice, fish soup, grilled
fish and fried vegetables. The six month rainy season, usually May
to November, has decreased the last few years to four months;
meaning lower crop yields, less food and less income.
Families do not have access to safe, clean water. Water is usually
collected by the children from local ponds or wells; more than a
half hour walk away. Rain water is also collected during the rainy
season. The main illnesses are diarrhoea, malaria and typhoid but
health facilities are non-existent.
There are no schools where Chhouy lives.. Only 20% of children
attend school and have to travel long distances to neighbouring
villages. Children spend much of their time working in the home.
Girls help with cooking, washing, cleaning the house and looking
after younger siblings. Boys feed the livestock and cut firewood
for cooking.
ActionAid is working with local organisation, Avenir des femmes et
des enfants du Cambodge - AFEC (Future of Cambodian Women and
Children). Together we will work with Chhouy's community to access
their rights to food, livelihoods, education, health care and safe,
clean water and to live a life of dignity and security. With your
support we can give children like Chhouy a better future. |
