About 75% of all Cambodians are engaged in some form of agriculture, so it is crucial that we continue with this work and ramp up our efforts to reach the millions of rural poor here.
In Cambodia we give loans to rural “co-ops”, a sort of coalition of poor farmers. The co-op votes on their own leadership and must decide what to do with the WHI loan. Some of the farmers start small businesses, but most try to grow rice or vegetables or raise animals.
The results here have been great so far–we’re very encouraged to see the co-ops functioning smoothly and meeting crucial needs in the community.