It has been more than 2 years that I have joined Mekong Plus. I am very much convinced that community development is a fantastic approach to help the poorest and most isolated people to find a sustainable and practical way out of the difficulties in their life.

But till last month I only knew about the programs through the reports and news sent by Mister Tot, director of the local NGO Tiên Chí. In November I visited all their programs and I could observe the how the people live, and monitor the work supported by Mekong Plus. For 10 days I could follow Tot in Thánh Linh and Dúc Linh. Then Bernard Kervyn took over and went with me to Long My in the delta, and to Prey Veng in Cambodia.

The field visits were organized in a professional manner, no time was wasted! I could observe how well the basic principles of community development fit well to the local needs.

I have been struck by the enthusiasm of the local teams. They have plenty of ideas and are highly motivated. Each team is guided by an experienced leader and counts a number of university graduates: agronomists, veterinary doctors, accountants etc.

Mekong Plus is really about working with the people to find together the best solutions, best fitted to the local conditions. In most cases Mekong Plus provides small loans and technical support. In every case local participation is a must all along the implementation of the program. The community contributes a great deal, in cash or in kind.

One visit I will remember for ever. Ms.Thuy has been abandoned by her husband. She lives in a small house made of corrugated iron sheets but does not own any land. To feed her 3 children and her mother, she works as a daily laborer, sometimes quite far from the village. Her income is very small and irregular.

She told me how determined she was to join the programs launched in her village. She took a 45 euros loan to buy 3 pigs. Her neighbors built a simple pig stall for her. The para vets trained by Mekong Plus provided her with regular technical back-up. She said she had just sold them with a good profit, and so she could refund her loan. She will take a new loan of 55 euros. Her eldest daughter, who is very good at school, has obtained a scholarship. Thuy thinks about a biogas, a new small investment which would allow her to save 3 euros/month on firewood for cooking.

In Cambodia Mekong Plus has chosen to work in Prey Veng, one of the poorest provinces. The activities have just started and I stayed only 1 day there but I was convinced of the great potential. Poverty is there much more severe than in Vietnam and the people seem to have less resources, so it is crucial to support them. The experience accumulated in Vietnam will be extremely useful to develop projects in Cambodia. I believe some aspects will also be useful for the projects of Thiên Chí on the other side of the border.

My trip has increased my motivation even more. I know the funds we collect are used in the best possible way. A small organization like ours can limit the administrative costs to the minimum and to emphasize local participation, and mobilize all local resources.

But to raise public funds is often more difficult than for larger organizations. It is painful to see that some urgent activities could not yet be implemented because we could not yet raise enough money. We rely thus very much on your support, for private donations. I hope we can count on your generosity to continue the good work and let the programs grow. For people who pay taxes, supporting Thiên Chí in Vietnam or Rade in Cambodia will cost even less as donations are deducted. Private donations are multiplied by 4 on the average thanks to the matching grants!

Thuy and her children

The team uses small motorcycles to visit the villages

We have started a new year, and I wish 2006 will be for you plenty of happiness and successes! Get inspired by the enthusiasm and creativity of the people we work with: this is what Mekong Plus may wish for you!

Sincerely,

Philippe Lovens, board member.

Anh Tôt, team leader of
Thiên Chí