A BRIEF HISTORY OF NGO WORK IN CAMBODIA
The story of FLD-NGO’s beginning is an overview of NGO social work in Cambodia. Cambodia has experience in promoting social organizations directly influenced by Buddhist principles since 1945. In the early days, resources came from better off people wanting to help by investing in rural development. But between 1975 and 1978 that form of community solidarity became traumatically punishable under the doctrine of the Khmer Rouge. The concept of rural community solidarity reappeared during the People’s Republic of Kampuchea era in the 1980s. However, it was still unpopular, particularly when people who went to border areas to clear land and secure that zone, returned either with malaria or as amputees. After the 23 October 1991 peace agreement in Cambodia, an influx of international NGOs began working on community projects and triggered social movements. This was due to the promotion of democracy, human rights, improved basic infrastructure – including communication facilities – and local economic development. These factors combined to rekindle social attitudes such as volunteerism, solidarity, mutual support, and charity. The approaches adopted by international NGOs promoted social attitudes and their sustainability, through building capacity in local NGOs and community based organizations. This included sponsoring local NGOs to continue their development work and social missions. FLD was one of many Cambodian NGOs localized on 28 August 2002 to continue that work, by promoting food and income security for poor farmers and their families. 96% of Cambodians are Theravada Buddhist[1] firm who believe that those who perform good acts will, in return, inherit satisfactory rewards. As stated in Buddha’s Prumviheathor "four facets of doing good":
