The Family Partnership programme is at the heart of all of Tabitha's work and is best described as community development focused on families. Participation in the programme is a prerequisite for families or villages to participate in any of the other Tabitha programmes.
The majority of Cambodian families have virtually no possessions. Perhaps one old set of clothes per person, one drinking cup to share, and a thatch shelter. Despite this, most families generate a small weekly income, which may be earned by collecting and selling empty plastic bottles or cutting grass to sell to a farmer. However, it can be difficult for families to break out of this poverty cycle. The Tabitha Family Partnership programme provides a means to do this, working side by side with the community and families.
It is a very simple self-help programme with families committing to save a certain amount for a 10-week cycle. Prior to the start of the 10-week cycle, Tabitha staff members help the families to develop a vision of a better life and each family decides what they are saving for (their "dream"). "Dream" items can include the barest essentials, such as a towel, a blanket, a cooking pot, or a three-month supply of rice.
Each savings cycle lasts 10 weeks. The savings are collected weekly by Tabitha workers and returned with 10% at the end of the cycle.
Saving as little as 25 cents per week allows the purchase of life-transforming items. Families save for income producing items such as a fishing net, piglets, chickens, oxen, a watering can, or a bicycle to take produce to market. This, in turn, brings the family a stable food supply and regular income - sometimes for the first time - and allow for steadily increasing weekly savings.
Most families remain in the Family Partnership programme for about five to seven years, at which time they have usually attained food, income security and some form of health care, as well as put their children in school.
There are currently more than 43,500 families (approximately 348,000 people) in the Family Partnership programme in 15 project areas. During the next twelve months we expect to have 59,000 families enrolled (472,000 people). Over 192,700 families have "graduated" from the programme since inception.
In the year ended 31 August 2011, our families saved over US$2 million, and were able to purchase goods and services of almost $11 million. A wonderful achievement.
In income generation, 18,728 families were able to raise animals such as pigs, chickens, ducks etc. Another 18,893 were able to grow crops such as rice and vegetables year round.
For a donation of just SGD$25, one family can be supported for one year in Family Partnership. For questions or more information, please contact donations@tabithasingapore.com.
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