Transformation of Tanorn Village in Cambodia Through China-Supported Initiative

A China-supported poverty alleviation project has transformed Tanorn village in Cambodia, enhancing infrastructure and living conditions for over 600 residents. Local families have transitioned to improved livelihoods with the establishment of new businesses and access to essentials such as clean water, electricity, and paved roads. Community members express gratitude for the significant changes brought about by this initiative.

Since its initiation in 2021, a China-supported poverty alleviation initiative has revolutionized Tanorn village in Cambodia, transitioning it from an isolated location to a burgeoning community. Located in the Bati district of Takeo province, approximately 60 kilometers south of Phnom Penh, Tanorn village encompasses 72 hectares and houses more than 130 families, totaling over 600 residents. Previously lacking essential infrastructure such as roads, clean water, and electricity, the village’s landscape has transformed dramatically under the funding from the China Foundation for Peace and Development, executed by Cambodia’s Civil Society Alliance Forum.

Por Sokhim, a 51-year-old resident, described how her family’s living conditions improved significantly due to the project. Previously reliant solely on rice cultivation, she now operates a grocery store and her husband has a motorcycle repair shop at their home. “In the past, it was difficult for us to do business because there were no good roads. All roads were unpaved and dusty, and few people traveled in and out of the village,” Sokhim conveyed. Following the project’s implementation, the villagers gained access to concrete roads, a sewage system, solar energy, and clean water.

Touch Seanghong, 57, reflected on the community’s past hardships, primarily the difficulty of transporting agricultural products to markets owing to inadequate road conditions. “Now, the situation is completely changed, as people are not worried about traveling anymore,” he noted, discussing the benefits such as paved roads and improved sanitation facilities that have arisen from the initiative. He expressed appreciation for the Chinese support, stating, “We admire Chinese friends for sacrificing both physical and mental energies to help develop our Tanorn village.”

Chea Munyrith, planning and project director for the Civil Society Alliance Forum, emphasized the project’s impact on various aspects of village life, from health and education to environmental conditions. He remarked on each family constructing new concrete homes, an indicator of their improved economic statuses. “China’s aid has been increasing social modernization in Tanorn village, turning it into a model poverty alleviation village for other villages,” he asserted, highlighting the pivotal role of Chinese assistance in enriching lives in Cambodia and beyond.

The China-aided poverty alleviation project has dramatically improved the living conditions in Tanorn village, Cambodia. Villagers have transitioned from impoverished lifestyles to improved economic circumstances, thanks to upgrades in infrastructure, access to clean water, and new business opportunities. This initiative not only serves as a model for other villages but also illustrates China’s influential role in global poverty alleviation efforts.

Original Source: www.thestar.com.my