Lotus Today
What We Do
Today, Lotus supports rural Cambodian communities through its strong partnership with READA (Rural Economic and Agriculture Development Agency). Together, Lotus and READA strive to assist communities with income-generating activities created to help families improve their livelihoods and achieve long-term self-reliance. After working together for many years Lotus has built a strong and successful strategic partnership with READA. The partnership is based on mutual respect and trust.
Lotus is very happy and proud to have been able to assist families across its beneficiary villages to improve the quality of their lives, through the creation of interest-free project loans. We are especially pleased to report that to-date all interest free project loans have been fully repaid, a testament to the commitment of the communities.
A crucial feature of the Lotus-READA partnership is the introduction of a concept centred on interest-free project loans rather than donations. This approach creates stronger community ownership, accountability, and long-term sustainability. Once the idea was embraced, particularly by Savings Groups and Rice Bank committees, communities became active in their own development. The participating families in the interest free project loan activities started to feel proud of what they could achieve for themselves.
The transition from a donation-based mindset to one of self-help required the persistent efforts of the dedicated Lotus-READA Staff, who are deeply embedded and trusted within the communities we work with.
Lotus-READA currently operates in 29 villages, with approximately 2,778 people . All 29 villages are in poor remote areas 40-60 km outside Siem Reap. Lotus-READA has operated projects in 15 of these villages for 17 years. The remaining 14 are villages where READA collaborates with another NGO, ADDA (Agricultural Development Denmark Asia), on agricultural initiatives. Lotus’ involvement in these 14 villages focuses only on the implementation of Rice Banks, funded by Lotus and its third-party donors. To date, Lotus and its third-party donors have successfully funded a total of 25 Rice Banks, helping to enhance food security and financial resilience across these communities.
Repeat donors, such as, Regina and Toby Wyles and SLAM have year after year supported Lotus to continue its work with the communities in Cambodia.