I came to this new community with no capital, no land, no cows,” said Poch.

But, he had a plan.

I met Poch on my first visit to Cambodia in 2016 at his first meeting at the Community Disability Savings Group. In fact, it was the first ever meeting of this group who went on to form a Savings and Loans group and their own retail shop. The success of the group gained the attention of locals who asked for business advice, and Canadians who cheered as these men and women generated not only livelihoods for several families, but also experienced community together like never before.

Perhaps you missed a keyword in a previous paragraph. These individuals all live with disabilities and in Cambodia, this can mean living on the edge of society. In fact, according to a 2024 Cooperation Canada report, 

“Persons with disabilities around the world remain disproportionately subjected to poverty and barriers to accessing...services such as health, education, employment and financial inclusion.”

You can see the twinkle in Poch’s eyes his heart is full of joy.

So imagine the pride and joy when the members of the Community Disability Savings Group beat the odds and began to flourish! And this is how I thought I wanted the story to end. But the realities of life—and in particular, Covid 19—changed this trajectory and the shop closed permanently, forcing some people like Poch to relocate.

Remember that plan I mentioned?

Poch learned many things about running a business through FH trainings and decided he would open his own store with money saved from the group. He knew that to be successful he would need to start small, track his expenditures, budget carefully, and grow slowly.

He also knew that a key to expansion would be adding products his customers needed so he began making lists of every item people requested and brought in the most sought after merchandise. What began as a tiny shop with few products has grown into a profitable business providing household items, food, snacks, feminine hygiene products, school supplies, beverages, and more. The income generated supports Poch and his children’s families as they all have a role in the expanded business now.

Poch’s (third from the left) Savings and Loans group from 2016 that equipped him to build his own business.

His daughter Chanthoeum shared that she no longer has to leave her family to do dangerous labour in Thailand. Rather, she and her husband have been able to upgrade their home, save for medical issues, and spend more time withtheir children. At age 79, Poch is no longer able to do the physical work he once did, but he has mentored Chanthoeum to take over the trips to markets in Siem Reap for merchandise.

Chanthoeum is not the only person Poch is mentoring. He noticed that other shop owners in his community were not thriving and he offered business management advice to his competition. Simple insights like maintaining regular hours have impacted and improved the quality of life of fellow entrepreneurs and neighbours.

The end of the Community Disability Group really wasn’t an end after all. In fact, the group disbanding actually led to a multiplication effect. Poch is training his family and other community members to use the skills he gained through FH’s small business training program.

While he lives with a disability, Poch has beaten the odds thanks to his sharp mind, courageous spirit, savings and skills training from FH, and supportive community.

And the twinkle in his eye tells me he knows it.

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