STORY: China-aided poverty alleviation project brings hope to Cambodia's remote village
DATELINE: Sept. 18, 2023
LENGTH: 0:02:58
LOCATION: BATI, Cambodia
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Tanorn village
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): PANG SAMEDY, Tanorn village chief
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): PECH NAVY, Villager
4. various of the Angkomnob Primary School
5. SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): SAL SAMNANG, Sixth-grader at Angkomnob Primary School

STORYLINE:

Tanorn village is located in Bati district of Takeo province in Cambodia, roughly 60 km south of the country's capital Phnom Penh.

With a total area of 72 hectares, the tiny poor village is home to 127 households with 615 people.

According to its village chief, the village was once isolated due to poor access roads, with no clean water, electricity, school, and health center. However, the situation completely changed after the China Foundation for Peace and Development (CFPD) funded a poverty alleviation project in the village.

Launched in January 2021, the nearly-completed Cambodia-China Friendship Village for Poverty Alleviation Project has brought great changes here.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Khmer): PANG SAMEDY, Tanorn village chief
"Firstly, they now can grow rice paddy twice per year, with proper access roads; secondly, they have access to solar power; thirdly, they have access to clean water; and fourthly, they have received funds for raising chicken and ducks, or growing vegetables. The project has improved living standards for the villagers. People in Tanorn village are happily enjoying the fruits of this China-funded development project."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Khmer): PECH NAVY, Villager
"The project has provided concrete roads, solar power, and clean water. Our livelihoods are better than before because, with good roads, we can travel to work at a garment factory and return home easily, so we can meet our children every day."

The project has also built a two-story concrete building with 12 classrooms for a local school, which has greatly benefited children in Tanorn village.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Khmer): SAL SAMNANG, Sixth-grader at Angkomnob Primary School
"The new school building is beautiful, equipped with ceiling fans and lighting, and there are a garden and playground. I have received gifts from the Chinese project including a bicycle, a bag, a water bottle, a lunch box, pens, pencils and erasers, as well as other materials. I would like to thank China for constructing this school building for us and having brought better development to my village."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bati, Cambodia.
(XHTV)