Editor's note: Empowering women is one of the most effective ways of ending poverty. The INCOME project in Cambodia is inspiring change for thousands of families by giving women the tools they need to transform their families' futures. Read more about our work with women in our International Women's Day series that began on March 3.
Malnutrition rates in Cambodia are among the highest in Asia; nearly 40 percent of children are chronically malnourished. Though agricultural productivity has increased in the past decade, it is still much lower in Cambodia than in neighboring countries, and food security continues to be a problem with one-third of the population suffering from hunger.
Brok Mom of Karpom Chouk Commune in Peany village in northwest Cambodia, shown with her children in the photo above, is one of the many women struggling alone to support her family as she waits for her husband to send home wages from his job outside the country.
"I am not a proud mother, because I don’t have enough food for my children to eat," she said. Watch below to hear her story and learn how you can help.
Video by Dave Anderson Photography
Brok Mom is now receiving training and support from a Heifer International project in her area. The Improving Income and Nutrition Through Community Empowerment (INCOME) Project builds on existing successes in Cambodia to reach and expand more hardworking families.
This project emphasizes women’s empowerment, one of the most effective ways to fight poverty, and will provide more than 5,000 families with pigs and chicks to make an immediate difference in their living standards, along with the seeds and training they need to become thriving farmers. It is one of many projects that are inspiring change for women all over the world.
Go to www.heifer.org/match today to help women like Brok Mom break out of devastating hunger as they acquire the necessary tools and training to provide regular meals and income for their families.
