Ou Char Village Hive

Ou Char was the first commune to establish a Village Hive. Operations began in 2022 and since then, the results speak for themselves. Read on to hear stories from the Ou Char community themselves, reports from the local leaders and discover the impact of the Village Hive.

17,840
people

6
villages

2024 Report from Ou Char’s Commune Chief,

Em Sophal

2024 was one of my proudest accomplishments has been becoming a more active and engaged community member, thanks to the Village Hive project. Through this initiative, I’ve had the opportunity to develop valuable skills like teamwork, responsibility, and mutual respect. By participating in community initiatives, I’ve contributed to building a stronger, more vibrant community. It is incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact of our collective efforts and to know I’ve played a part in making a difference.

Em Sophal
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Empowering Communities

The Village Hive project has transformed our community by creating job opportunities, developing essential skills, and expanding access to education. These efforts have significantly reduced poverty and violence, fostering stronger and more harmonious relationships between citizens and local authorities.
Our leadership team has embraced their roles and responsibilities with a strong sense of purpose, earning the trust, admiration, and respect of the community. These efforts have also strengthened relationships between our public healthcare and educational professionals, further enhancing the project’s impact.
Training courses and project discussions facilitated by CCT have played a vital role in the progress this year. By equipping us with the tools and knowledge needed to lead effectively, CCT has contributed significantly to our development and the ongoing success of the Village Hive.

Strengthening Collaborations

This year, our relationships with leaders from other communes have evolved significantly. Through numerous meetings and collaborative efforts, we’ve built mutual trust and understanding. These interactions have allowed us to share challenges, brainstorm solutions, and work together to achieve common goals. This strengthened bond has positively impacted not only our community but also the broader network of communities we engage with.

While our fundamental roles have remained consistent, the Village Hive project has motivated us to be more proactive and engaged in our community’s development. The additional opportunities it has provided have increased our sense of purpose and inspired us to contribute even more to our community.

Transforming Lives

Since the inception of the Village Hive project, I have witnessed a significant transformation within our community. Families in need have received essential support services, individuals have gained valuable skills and secured employment, and children have benefited from improved educational opportunities. These changes have created a foundation for lasting progress and a better quality of life for everyone involved.

The Village Hive project has directly impacted the lives of our community members by creating job opportunities, providing skill-based training for families, and offering educational support to underprivileged children. We are deeply grateful for the resources and support it has brought to Ou Char.
The project’s community outreach efforts, led by the commune with guidance from CCT, have also increased awareness among families and children about the available support services. This awareness empowers them to seek assistance and make informed decisions preventing crises in the future.

A Vision for the Future

It’s been two full years since the transfer of the Village Hive from CCT to local leadership, and I remain optimistic about the future of our community. With the active participation of citizens and authorities at all levels, I envision a prosperous future where everyone has access to employment opportunities, quality education, and a higher quality of life.

Looking ahead, I hope that next year will bring even more positive changes to our community. I urge CCT to continue supporting our efforts through promotional activities and increased funding to further empower our community.

Setting a New Standard

CCT’s approach to the Village Hive project stands out among other organisations. Unlike others who work in isolation and lack engagement and communication, CCT has fostered a strong partnership with our community. The invaluable resources, training, and guidance have ensured the project’s success and sustainability, setting a new standard for impactful collaboration.

Sincerely,

Em Sophal
Ou Char Comune Chief

2024 Report from Ou Char’s Commune Council,

Chea Vibol

I am incredibly proud that the Village Hive project has been established in our commune. This initiative has fostered strong communication between community members, local government, and village leaders, enabling us to support one another, share advice, and access essential services like healthcare, education and social services. It has also inspired a love of learning in our children, creating a brighter future for our community.

Chea Vibol
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Strengthening Local Public Systems

The Village Hive project has brought transformative development to our commune. By promoting inclusivity and encouraging greater citizen engagement with local government, it has strengthened trust and collaboration. Local governments have become more responsive to community needs, actively listening to feedback and making fair, impartial decisions that reflect the best interests of our people.

Since its inception, the Village Hive project has evolved to meet the changing needs of our community. It now emphasises planning, organisational and documentation skills, creativity, and collaboration among local government, social services, health centres, and primary schools. These advancements have further strengthened the project’s impact.

Personal Growth and Leadership

Personally, my role in the Village Hive has given me the opportunity to grow significantly. I’ve developed skills to work independently, prepare comprehensive reports, engage in meaningful discussions, provide valuable advice, and critically assess projects to ensure their feasibility and effectiveness.

My leadership abilities have grown through a focus on responsibility, transparency, solidarity, and effective communication. Additionally, I’ve built strong communication channels with other communes, engaging in regular discussions to share experiences, provide mutual support, and overcome challenges together.

Revolutionising Community Engagement

The Village Hive project has transformed how we engage with our community. By fostering open communication and collaboration between the project team and community members, we’ve been able to provide a social protection system that has empowered families to improve their lives, achieve financial stability, and contribute to the well-being of our community.

We take great pride in sharing information about the project with other communes and community leaders. This spirit of collaboration has facilitated the easy exchange of experiences and the development of joint plans for mutual benefit.

Empowering Families and Inspiring Hope

The Village Hive project has created a strong sense of community by providing essential resources such as financial support, job opportunities, morale-boosting initiatives, housing, and materials. This comprehensive approach has empowered families, instilling hope and optimism for the future.

We’ve seen that both families and children now have a deeper understanding of the support services available to them. This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions and manage their future with greater confidence.

A Model for Sustainable Change

CCT’s approach to the Village Hive project has set a new standard for NGO engagement. Unlike traditional initiatives, the Village Hive empowers families living in poverty, equipping them with skills to attain self-reliance. By the time they graduate from the early intervention journey, participants are able to support themselves without ongoing welfare. This is a key strength of the Village Hive.

By entrusting the project to us, CCT has empowered our community to lead with effective management and planning. We are confident that the Village Hive will continue to positively shape our community, creating a sustainable and prosperous future for everyone.

Sincerely,

Chea Vibol
Ou Char Commune Council

2024 Report from Ou Char’s CCWC Leader,

Nov Leakhena

We are incredibly proud of the Village Hive project and grateful for the dedicated funding to support this community initiative. This initiative has enabled us to deliver timely assistance to vulnerable families, and we are confident in our ability to continue supporting those in need.

Nov Leakhena
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Transforming Communities

The Village Hive project has brought meaningful transformation to our community. By fostering inclusivity, encouraging transparency, and promoting strong partnerships between citizens and local leaders, it has empowered individuals to report issues and seek help and information openly and honestly.

The Village Hive focuses on creating sustainable pathways to economic prosperity for families by providing job opportunities, financial support for business ventures, and skill development training. Through these efforts, families are being lifted out of poverty and given the tools to build a prosperous life.

Significant Improvements

Since the implementation of the Village Hive in Ou Char, our community has experienced substantial improvements, including:
Enhanced communication: Timely dissemination of information and efficient response mechanisms.

- Stronger collaboration: Improved cooperation between local leaders and citizens.
- Increased citizen engagement: Greater awareness and participation among community members.

These changes have strengthened the bond between local authorities and the community, ensuring that everyone feels heard and supported.

Personal Growth and Collaboration

Through this project, I have gained advanced skills and extensive experience and participated in numerous training courses that have deepened my understanding of providing high-quality social work. My relationship with Village Leaders has also grown significantly. We now hold frequent meetings and joint training sessions, fostering a stronger bond and a more profound sense of collaboration.

Our approach to working with the community remains consistent, but our connection with community members has strengthened considerably this past year. The community has become more receptive and open to the initiatives we introduce, enabling us to work together more effectively.

Empowering Families

Since the Village Hive began, I have observed a significant transformation within our community. Families have experienced improved living conditions and reduced poverty levels. Many individuals have secured stable employment, developed valuable skills, and fostered stronger relationships. This newfound stability has empowered families to make informed decisions and plan for their futures with confidence.

Increased awareness of available support and services has played a critical role in this transformation. Effective communication channels—such as village leaders, neighbourhood councils, social workers, and the hotline—have helped spread awareness and build trust in these programs.

A Vision for the Future

The Village Hive has empowered our commune to provide direct services and funding, setting it apart from work conducted by other charitable organisations that often limit their involvement and collaboration. Its comprehensive approach has driven meaningful change and development, particularly for the most vulnerable members of our community.

Looking ahead, I am optimistic about the future. I hope the project continues to receive the support it needs to seek out vulnerable families and provide them with the assistance they need. By maintaining our focus on supporting marginalised individuals, the Village Hive will continue to drive progress and foster resilience in our community.

Sincerely,

Nov Leakna
Ou Char CCWC

2024 Report from Ou Char’s Health Centre,

Meas Maltey

I am incredibly proud to share how the Village Hive project has empowered our community to live healthier lives. By increasing understanding of preventative healthcare and the services offered by specialised health centers, this initiative has made a significant impact on vulnerable children, families, and the broader community.

Meas Maltey
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Transforming Healthcare in Ou Char

The Village Hive project has revolutionised our health center, significantly increasing community awareness of health, prevention, and treatment. Through knowledge-sharing and skill-building, we have developed new approaches that make healthcare services more effective and accessible to all.

By strengthening families and uplifting vulnerable individuals, the Village Hive has helped community members secure stable employment, improve their livelihoods, and reduce poverty. This holistic approach has had a profound impact on the well-being of our community, fostering resilience and self-sufficiency.

The Village Hive has also directly improved our health center by providing crucial resources. With building repair materials, and financial, and wellness areas, the project has enhanced our ability to deliver high-quality healthcare services. These improvements not only benefit the health center but also bring a sense of warmth and reassurance to the entire community.

Strengthening Community Connections

This project has transformed my professional life, enhancing my work practices and deepening my connections with the community. The ease of communication and collaboration brought by the Village Hive has made it easier to share positive impacts and foster trust among community members.

The collaboration between our health center and local leaders has been vital to the success of this initiative. Regular meetings with commune leaders and other stakeholders have allowed us to exchange experiences and work together on new programs that address community needs.
The implementation of the Village Hive project has also promoted healthier lifestyles, particularly among vulnerable children. It has provided families with confidence, hope, and a sense of belonging, instilling optimism for the future.

Building a Sustainable Future

Following the handover from CCT, our community is now taking full responsibility for the management and future direction of the Village Hive. This transition reflects the program’s commitment to empowering families to become self-sufficient, reducing their reliance on welfare.
The Village Hive’s long-term vision is one of its greatest strengths. By equipping community members with essential resources—financial support, social services, housing, and employment opportunities—the project fosters independence and ensures that its impact endures for generations to come.

A Vision for Growth

I am deeply fulfilled by the work we’ve accomplished through the Village Hive. Seeing the positive influence it has had on people’s lives fills me with pride and hope. My greatest wish is for this project to continue to grow and improve, reaching even more individuals and creating lasting change.

The Village Hive has shown us that, by working together, we can achieve remarkable outcomes for our community. It has brought warmth, confidence, and opportunity to Ou Char, and I am confident it will continue to inspire and empower our people for years to come.

Sincerely,

Meas Maltey
Ou Char Health Center

From our focus groups

It was an honour to listen as they talked about their lives and the Village Hive Project. It was evident from their reflections that they were gaining knowledge and changing the way they raised their children and interacted with one another. The community believes that their public services are improving and trust is growing, and as a result, families are asking for help when they need it. All who attended mentioned feeling proud of using public services in their community. They now know about their rights, and their confidence in the Village Hive Project shines through.

Jedtha, CCT Co-Founder

My kids can go to school, and I have time to work or earn a living. I've improved my standard of living. My children help more with household chores, have life skills and are more engaged to do their homework.

Ou Char Focus Group Participant

There are many improvements in our community, including improved services from the health centre, good quality education, the commune provides good services and responds quickly, and the Village Hive staff provide good service and are helpful. The public schools are clean, have flower gardens, are not allowed to sell energy drinks anymore, and have regular meetings with parents. The health clinic is reasonably priced, fast and flexible and now has enough medicine to support the community.

Ou Char Focus Group Participant

I have more confidence to deliver services to the community as because I have a clear plan and regular meetings, we are working effectively together as a team, I receive technical support, have clear policies, budgets and guidelines and I can see the benefits for children and families in my community.

Local Leader

I have noticed many changes in the community, such as families engaging with teachers and schools, parents setting a good example for their children, parents encouraging children to go to school regularly, families getting jobs and vocational training skills, violence is greatly reduced, the family has the authority to decide their own affairs, families understand the services they can receive, families have stable jobs and income and migration is prevented, every child can access education, and alcohol consumption has reduced.

Local Leader

Families share information with their neighbours and there is promotion of the Village Hive in the community. There is increased trust in the community and the commune has better public services and clear solutions to provide to families. The Village Hive helps improve the standard of living.

Local Leader

Impact Case Studies

Doeurn’ Story

Rotha’s Story

Sochea's story

Sokhoeun’s Story

Sarom’s Story

Sreyta’s income soars from $6 to $50

Makara’s unwavering determination to bring her child home

How community-centric healthcare transformed Sothea’s journey with HIV

Village Hive support creates a new future for Poung and her children

Mao’s journey from struggling to afford water to saving $400 per month

How a widowed mother’s business led to daughter’s thriving education

Landmine explosion survivor empowered to lift entire family out of poverty

Impact reports

Click below to see the past reports for the Ou Char Village Hive.

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