Economic Development: Trickle Up in Cambodia

Ms. Khal Soth used to walk long distances to collect firewood and sell it at the market. APDO trained her to improve the traditional wooden figurines to sell at the tourist market. She makes far more than she did selling firewood. With her increased profits, she has built a new house, feeds her family better food, bought a bicycle, sent one child to school, and protected her house from floods. Ms. Soth’s plans to expand her business further to continue to improve her family’s lives.

Before receiving the Trickle Up grant, Nao Soun had no land and was living with neighbors. With the grant he purchased equipment, tools, and raw materials to increase his production of wooden handicrafts, enabling him to sell them to tourists and souvenir shops. The business grew quickly, and the profits allowed Soun to buy some farm land and build a home. In addition, his family now has enough food to eat and he can provide the study materials necessary for his children to attend school.