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Message fhcanada.org 1Cambodia CHONG KAL, SVAY LEU 1, TROPEANG PRASAT Mid-Year Community Update 2025Across Cambodia, families are laying the foundation for lasting change. In Chong Kal, early engagement with parents, teachers, and leaders is already strengthening learning and hygiene practices in the community. In Svay Leu 1, parent involvement in education has grown dramatically, and more students are attending school and learning at home.In Tropeang Prasat, classrooms are becoming safe, supportive spaces where reading, numeracy, and creativity thrive. Students are even learning how to grow food and raise animals at school—skills they’re sharing with their families. Local leaders are stepping up too, organizing health campaigns and guiding development projects that put community priorities rst.Together, these partner communities are charting a new path forward through education, leadership, and opportunity. And in Svay Leu 1, as the ocial partnership with FH comes to a close, the community isn’t slowing down. With new skills, strong local leadership, and deep-rooted commitment, families are stepping condently into the next chapter—ready to keep building a brighter future for their children.Before I felt stuck. I struggled to lead my community—lacking condence, skills, and support. Then everything changed. Through FH’s training, I found my strength. I learned to plan, mobilize resources, and inspire others. My kids now thrive at school, and we’re happier than ever. In my community, I broke barriers. I’ve empowered women to step up, taught families to collaborate, and launched savings groups that lift us all. I’ve got a bold vision for our future.— Kunthea, local leader, Tropeang PrasatPOPULATION49,812HOUSEHOLDS11,379PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS9,136Written by Chhay Sophanna, Ngy Rithy, Noun Romono & Irene Cataluna, FH Cambodia Prepared by FH Canada56 COMMUNITIESWalking with Chong Kal20352023Walking with Svay Leu 120252015Walking with Tropeang Prasat20262016

fhcanada.org 2A New Voice in Chong KalStory and photographs collected by Khiev Mom and Vong Bora, FH CambodiaVanthib never imagined herself standing in front of a group, let alone leading one. “I usually feel shy when I encountered new people,” she says. “Speaking in front of large groups made me anxious and lowered my condence.”Her family was also going through a dicult time. “There were times when I felt too exhausted to do anything,” she remembers. Vanthib Finds Her VoiceBut when FH came to her community, Vanthib began to see herself—and her potential—dierently.In 2023, she became a Hope Group Volunteer, helping families engage more deeply in their children’s wellbeing. She supports children in the sponsorship program—checking on their progress, collecting updates and photos for their sponsors (you!), and making sure each child feels seen, supported, and safe.At rst, she was nervous. But over time, as she joined training sessions on facilitation, child rights, and gender, her condence began to grow.“I have experienced signicant personal growth since participating in FH programs,” she says. “Now I have condence in preparing and training local leaders and villagers. I can communicate... with condence.” Today, at just 22, Vanthib is helping transform her community. She’s a passionate advocate for children in Chong Kal, championing their right to learn, grow, and be heard. She encourages caregivers, supports schools, and helps children access the resources they need to thrive—like storybooks, clean spaces, and opportunities to be creative and condent.“My goal is to ensure that children have access to quality education, reduce school dropout rates, improve safety, and maintain cleanliness in my village,” she shares.The change isn’t just professional. It’s deeply personal. Now, that sense of shame and exhaustion has been replaced with something new. “Each day brings me joy,” she explains. “I’m growing and striving to better myself.”Vanthib may have started quietly—but now she’s a voice for children, and a leader her community can count on.From the CommunityEach day brings me joy. I’m growing and striving to better myself!— Vanthib

fhcanada.org 3Budding BookwormsIn Svay Leu 1, more than 30 teachers received new training to create engaging classrooms. At home, caregivers are stepping up too. More families are creating dedicated learning spaces and homework help, once rare, is becoming routine. As children feel more supported—both in and out of the classroom—school attendance is rising.Meanwhile, schools in Tropeang Prasat are building a culture of reading and creativity. More than 1,300 students are regularly reading books and two schools recently hosted reading competitions to spark a love of storytelling. In 15 primary schools, students are getting their hands dirty as they learn how to grow vegetables, make compost, and raise frogs and sh through eco-school garden projects. These lessons are helping children discover how to care for the earth—and their own futures.Everyday Habits, Lifelong HealthWhen families are healthy, children can thrive! In Svay Leu 1, nearly every household now has handwashing supplies and a proper latrine, while more families are treating their drinking water to keep kids safe from illness. Nutrition is improving too, with more little ones eating a wider variety of foods—including plenty of fresh veggies!In Tropeang Prasat, health and nutrition are being strengthened from the ground up. Caregivers and volunteers are learning about pregnancy care, child nutrition, and hygiene through home visits, cooking demonstrations, and community training. Schools are joining in as well, equipping classrooms with clean water, handwashing stations, and supplies to keep learning environments healthy and safe for every child.children received hygiene kits at school to stay healthy and safe2,560high-risk students received notebooks, pens, and bikes to help them stay in school20mothers and caregivers joined nutrition education and cooking demos384Parents and caregivers are invested in their children’s early education! Health & EducationBefore joining FH Cambodia, I was not brave. I was shy and lacked the condence to actively engage with my community. I attended training sessions on maternal care, child nutrition, hygiene, handwashing, and safe water access. Right now, I am feeling condent. I am committed to promoting child and mother nutrition so that children and women in my community can be well-nourished and healthy.— Boun, Health Volunteer, Tuol Prasatof households now have a dedicated study space at home71%

4Seedlings to StartupsFood security is growing across Cambodia! In Svay Leu 1, nearly 99 per cent of farmers now use improved techniques, helping families eat more diverse foods and ll their tables year-round. Volunteers are sharing what they’ve learned to help their neighbours boost their harvests and incomes. In Tropeang Prasat, families are turning new knowledge into action. With hands-on training and startup kits, vulnerable households are beginning to raise chickens, grow vegetables, and sell what they produce. Savings groups, too, are booming! More than 1,100 members have saved over $680,000 USD. Together they’re learning how to manage their nances, invest in their small businesses, and support each other along the way. Lifting CommunitiesLocal leaders are taking ownership of their community’s future. In Chong Kal, teachers, volunteers, and parents are making schools cleaner, safer, and more welcoming. They supplied 16 schools with water lters and hygiene kits, and 24 more schools with over 500 storybooks and games. In Svay Leu 1, leadership training helped 56 community members reect and build plans to meet local needs. Community groups implemented their development projects, like installing preschool latrines and improving water drainage. And in Tropeang Prasat, youth are receiving vocational skills, building businesses, and learning to manage money. With startup grants, three young entrepreneurs already launched their own shops—setting a powerful example for others.Thank You! FH Cambodia, FH Canada, and the families of Chong Kal, Svay Leu 1, and Tropeang Prasat are so grateful for your support. Your generosity is helping families grow stronger, leaders grow bolder, and children grow up in communities where they are safe, supported, and encouraged to reach their full, God-given potential.community leaders trained to tackle domestic violence, child rights, and gender dignity21Hope Group Volunteers equipped to respond to family emergencies and protect vulnerable children60savings group members received nancial literacy training to strengthen their businesses and lead their groups94Families now eat more diverse diets with tables full all year round, thanks to new farming techniques!Livelihoods@fhcanada @foodforthehungrycanada @fh-canadafhcanada.org/storiesFollow your impact all year long.vulnerable families received startup kits to raise chickens or grow vegetables20