Kampong Speu (February 21, 2013) – Life With Dignity (LWD) presented its achievements of 2012 and development plan in 2013 at an annual partnership workshop held on February 20-21, 2013 in Kampong Speu town of Kampong Speu province. The workshop also aimed to share best practices and challenges from the implementation of the program, andfurther strengthen the cooperation and partnership between the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), line government agencies, related NGO partners and local authorities at all levels.
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In his welcome remarks, Dr. Sam Inn, LWD Executive Director, expressed his deep thanks to the Royal Government of Cambodia, especially MRD, line government agencies and local authorities at all levels for strongly supporting the development work of LWD over the years. Without good cooperation and strong supports extended by all concerned stakeholders, LWD would not be able to achieve its mission, he said.
Dr. Inn briefed the meeting about key tangible and intangible achievements made by LWD in 2012 under its Integrated Rural Development through Empowerment Program with the strong support of all stakeholders. Those included 49 concrete classrooms, 429 deep wells, some medium and small scale irrigation systems, 2,194 latrines, and support for capacity building for members of commune council in 44 communes, members of village development committees in 327 villages, providing morale and material support for10,805 poorest households, members of village bank committees from 343 village banks, and committee members of 32 agricultural cooperatives.
For 2013, LWD will continue its mission as stated in the Country Strategy 2009-2014 and is committed to making greater efforts to support the poor community under its target areas in order to improve their livelihoods.
Mr. Chreay Pop, Deputy Director for MRD’s Department of Rural Development, LWD’s mission contributed to the MRD’s as well as the government’s effort to improve the livelihoods of the people, especially the poor and vulnerable people in remote areas through capacity building and building self-confidence. “NGOs play a key role in the development work in Cambodia,” he said.
In his opening speech, H.E Chan Dara, Deputy Governor of Kampong Speu province, highly appreciated the achievements and efforts made by LWD over the years aiming to reduce the poverty, promote human rights and strengthen democracy in Cambodia in line with the government policy.
“Civil society organizations are the most important development actors, namely LWD has made contributions to supporting the government on multi-sectors,” he said, adding that LWD’s program components were of importance and meet the real needs of the poor.
“All kinds of LWD’s supporthave truly contributed to building the capacity of the commune council members and other concerned stakeholders who involved in the implementation of LWD’s program. We noticed that currently the community progressively understands about democracy, respect for human rights, expression of opinions, and advocacy,” he said.
He requested the local authorities at all levels to continue supporting and strengthening cooperation with all NGOs operating in Cambodia.
On the second day of the meeting, participants were invited to visit some farmer families who received support from LWD in order to learn about the success and challenges in improving their livelihood as well as the implementation of LWD’s program.
For more information, please contact:
LEAK Ratna (Mr.)
Communications Coordinator, LWD
E-mail: ratna@lwd.org.kh
Tel: 012 819 121