The new EP Operations Coordinator, Mr Heang Vibol.

A new era for a long-standing project in Cambodia

QSA and its partner, Bunrany Hun Sen Development Center (the Center) in Cambodia, have embarked on an exciting new venture to create a more commercial and self-sustaining operation to provide skills and increased employment to rural women.

The Center is an established social enterprise in Pursat that trains rural women and produces and sells handicrafts. It was established in 1996 to provide vocational training in traditional handicrafts to help alleviate poverty and empower women in Pursat and surrounding rural areas. The aim is to give people (primarily women) skills to generate income and enhance their family situation.

In conjunction with QSA, the Center is entering a new phase to make the organisation more commercial, sustainable, and self-sufficient. A newly established business entity, currently called the Enterprise Project (EP), will operate as a separate production and sales operation. The EP will focus on increasing sales by identifying target products, developing new markets, and upgrading internal systems, including production, distribution, finance, and IT. It will also include recruiting and training new staff.

Left: The loom used to weave the kroma. Right: Men’s shirts sewn from kroma woven at the Center

QSA started working with the Center in 1998 with a small permaculture demonstration farm. The relationship developed over the next 16 years, with QSA becoming a significant funder of the organisation as it transitioned into a specialised training organisation, then a production and retail organisation.

Approximately 30 people (primarily women) now work in a production and sales facility in Pursat Town in sewing, fabric, and mat weaving. The Center also provides handicraft training and a sales outlet for women in rural areas who use their skills to produce items using local materials such as woven baskets.

The Center has unique skills and experience producing high-quality clothing from traditional kroma (scarves). Still, it needs more financial resources, knowledge and skills in many areas, including business planning, finance, IT, sales, marketing, product design, quality control and stock control.

The Enterprise Project

The Enterprise Project is a new business entity focused on achieving sales and commercial success. It will initially focus on weaving kroma on the EP’s loom and producing and selling men’s overshirts using this fabric. These shirts will be sold online as premium products for events (Khmer New Year, water festival, weddings, corporate events) and corporate and personal gifts.

Increased incomes, a growing interest in traditional designs, and a desire to support local handicrafts and social enterprises are expected to lead to good opportunities for the new venture. New designs are also planned to appeal to younger men.

Successful systems implemented in the EP will later be transferred to the broader operation, enabling the Center to achieve self-sufficiency. QSA will support the Center and the EP during this transition but gradually phase out its support as the organisation becomes more commercial.

This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

A student in Tamil Nadu drew his understanding of what is climate change.

QSA projects and climate change

Australian NGOs are playing an increasingly important role in Australia’s climate change action with our developing partners. Addressing poverty and inequality cannot be effective without addressing global climate and environmental impact.

QSA includes assessment on climate and environmental risks in all of its projects.

Download the full Powerpoint presentation (7.6 MB)

Barry O’Farrell and Sarah Kirlew, visit the Poonga environmental education centre in Chennai

On March 18th 2022, The Hon Barry O’Farrell, Australia’s High Commissioner to India and Sarah Kirlew, Australian Consul  General to South India visited the Poonga environmental education centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and giving support to Pitchandikulam Bio Resource Centre’s Environmental Education Project. Pitchandikulam Bio Resource Centre is one of QSA’s project partners in Tamil Nadu, with its environmental education and restoration, income generation and support projects funded by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and QSA.

Photos credit: PBRC

Couple harvesting crops for local market – Cambodia 

Help QSA to support rural communities recover from COVID-19

Many communities are faring worse today than they were a year ago. Even if not directly impacted by COVID-19, they have been affected by disruptions to the markets and systems that support their livelihoods, and often there is insufficient information or healthcare facilities in rural regions. The number of COVID cases and deaths are not being recorded accurately in some countries, making it extremely difficult to contain and prevent the spread.

Read more …

Donations to support the work of QSA

If you would like to make a donation to continue the work being done by QSA, this can be done by visiting our Donation Page.

You can donate by cheque, direct deposit, or credit card.

All of our donations are now tax deductible.

Thank you everyone, you will be contributing to the enhanced wellbeing and opportunities within the communities in Australia, Cambodia, India and Uganda where QSA is working.

QSA is proud to be a member of the Church Agencies Network (CAN) which provides another opportunity for close collaboration at many levels, including advocacy, staff training and mentoring. CAN comprises Australian church-based aid and development agencies who are members of ACFID and the National Council of Churches in Australia. Currently the members are Act for Peace; the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA); Anglican Board of Mission – Australia Ltd; Anglican Overseas Aid; Australian Lutheran World Service; Caritas Australia; Global Mission Partners; Quaker Service Australia; Salvation Army; Transform Aid, formerly Australian Baptist World Aid; and Uniting World.

www.churchagenciesnetwork.org.au

You can find CAN info pack here.