Hopeful for Their Future

For one family living in poverty in Cambodia, some well-timed Gifts of Hope changed their life trajectory for good — empowering them to overcome poverty.

No matter how hard they worked, things weren’t improving.  

Sonith did construction, working whatever job was available to him each day in their impoverished community in rural Cambodia. But the income was so inconsistent that he and his wife, Davi, decided to move to Thailand in hopes of finding better work — with their two young children, Tola and Vanna, in tow.

In Thailand, Sonith and Davi again worked construction jobs. But a year later, they had almost nothing to show for it — having been cheated out of the majority of their pay. Sonith was working so hard doing physical labor that his health began to suffer. They moved back to Cambodia — to the same situation they were in before.

“The family suffered from lack of food, health problems, and the children lacked school materials,” says the Holt Cambodia social worker who visited the family at their home at the time. “Their house was very old and not safe for the children. And the children looked unhealthy.”   

When the pandemic hit, things got even worse.

Holt Cambodia first learned about this family in March 2020, and enrolled them in Holt’s family strengthening program. This opened up the door for them to receive tangible help from Holt donors across the world. And their Holt social worker determined that they were perfect candidates to receive Gifts of Hope.  

This was the turning point in their story.

Recipients of Gifts of Hope

Immediately, they received the Gift of Hope of emergency food — bags of rice, cooking oil, canned fish and more to sustain them until they could get back on their feet. Holt donors also provided Tola and Vanna with the school uniforms and supplies they needed to attend school.

“The family was so happy and started to feel hopeful for their future,” their social worker says.

With their most immediate needs met, and the stress of daily survival alleviated, Sonith and Davi could finally dream and plan for their future.

“Sonith felt motivated and Davi became brave enough to talk about things she wanted to do to generate extra income to support the family,” their social worker says.  

Sonith and Davi began to discuss the different ways they might start a small business to earn sustainable income for their family.

Income-Generating Programs to Alleviate Poverty

In Cambodia and around the world, Holt social workers help families develop a personal plan to overcome poverty. With consideration to each family’s skills, education, interests and goals, they together come up with a uniquely tailored solution. Then, with support from Holt donors, families receive the support, training and resources to make it happen — often in the form of Gifts of Hope.

Some families choose to open a food cart or small store, others learn a skill like sewing that allows them to earn an income from home, others learn how to plant gardens to grow food to take to the market, and many others raise livestock like pigs, goats or chickens — providing vital nourishment to their families, as well as offspring to sell.

“The family was so happy and started to feel hopeful for their future.”

Many of the families in Holt’s income-generating programs double or triple their income with the help of training or start-up funds. This boost in income prevents parents from migrating in search of work, which provides greater stability to children and helps keep them safe and in school.

This was the goal, and the hope, for Sonith and Davi. That they’d never have to migrate again for work, and that they could meet all of their children’s basic needs.  

Raising Chickens and Cows

With careful consideration, Sonith and Davi soon knew what they wanted to do to raise their family out of poverty, and better provide for Tola and Vanna.

“The family found that cow and chicken raisings are suitable for them since they can do it with their spare time,” their social worker says.

This is where the generosity of Holt Gifts of Hope donors came in…

The family received the Gift of Hope of chickens — complete with a pen to house the chickens — and the Gift of Hope of a female cow, already pregnant with her first calf.

Within just a few months, this gift grew exponentially — with the chickens having produced more chicks, and a brand new baby calf. The family sold the new offspring, and for the first time in their lives, they had extra money to invest.

They decided to put it towards building a new house, so that their children could be safe in their home.

But this was just the beginning. Because, the best part about Gifts of Hope is that they just keep growing and multiplying over time.

Their original cow had another new calf, which they plan to keep and continue breeding. And their chickens have continued to grow in number, too. Sonith again started working in construction, and Davi got a new job as a cleaner at a nearby hotel. They have income from their jobs, but different than before, they also have another means of income. One that keeps growing and providing more and more for them over time.

With each new calf and chicken, their family is rising out of poverty — step by step by step.

“The famiy’s situation has improved a lot,” says their Holt social worker. “They have enough food to eat, they have proper clothes to wear, and they are all healthier — especially the children, who have gained more weight and gotten stronger.”

Tola and Vanna, now 11- and 6-years-old, are thriving in school. Their home is safe. They have enough to eat.

And it’s all because of Gifts of Hope, empowering them to have hope for the future.