Having struggled to get by all his life, Syphanh, 42, never imagined the possibilities of a life in which the family have a roof over their heads, with enough to eat, and education for the children.
The family of five hardly have enough, with only sufficient rice to last for three to six months. The family income was also meagre, surviving on a mere 100,000 kip (approximately S$17) each month. As a result, Syphanh’s children could never attend school, as there was never money to pay for their school fees, uniforms, stationery kits and other items necessary for an education.
However, it wasn’t only Syphanh’s family that needed help. Many families in the Xieng Nguen District of Luang Prabang province were also in the same boat, stricken by poverty, and unable to break out of the cycle that traps them.
Recognising the needs in the area, World Vision started a Child Sponsorship Programme in the area and established the Xieng Nguen Area Development Programme in the Xieng Nguen district to help the community become self-sustainable through various intervention programmes.
Two of his sons, Noulith, nine, and Touny, seven, became sponsored children, and for Syphanh and his family, the programme brought about many positive changes that have helped them progressed.
Today, Syphanh has received both agricultural and livestock training, and now owns 10 pigs, 15 goats and 30 winged animals. They are also able to grow more cash crops, and because of the additional income, the family now has rice to eat all year round. In fact, Syphanh even has surplus that he sells for income, earning a decent amount of 700,000 kip (approximately S$119) a month.
Syphanh can also afford to send his children to school. He can even rent a house near the secondary school 22 kilometres away from their village for his older children so they do not have to travel long distances to attend school.
Syphanh, his family, and the community have come a long way since the early days when World Vision first implemented the Area Development Programme, but all of it would not have been possible without the help of the donors from Singapore who are supporting this project, and making a lasting difference in the lives of the children and their families in Xieng Nguen district.
_______________________________________________________
Sponsor a child, transform an entire community!
Child Sponsorship can help children like Noulith and Toudy receive the basics of life such as nutritious food, clean water, healthcare, education and economic opportunities through sustainable community development. Click here to sponsor a child now. |
