TRAILBLAZER FOUNDATION

Trailblazer projects are designed to alleviate poverty and improve health conditions for rural villagers. A large percent will be done by empowering rural villagers to become self-sufficient and improving their livelihood through water and agriculture projects as well as livestock programs, setting up village-run banks, and providing vocational training opportunities. Our effective implementation method of community-based development projects uses appropriate technologies and is a long-term solution to alleviating poverty and increasing the quality of life in a sustainable manner. Absolute poverty is "a condition characterized by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information.” [UN declaration, 1995]. The UN estimated about 30.1% of Cambodians lived below the national poverty line on less than $.50 per day [2007]. Trailblazer decided to work on these issues in Siem Reap province because it is one of two provinces identified by the Cambodian Government and the World Food Program as significantly poor and food-insecure, and we knew we could make a difference for the better. We pursue projects that emphasize basic needs and work with village leadership to establish or enhance the village committee structure to address further community development of communities meeting the conditions of absolute poverty. These leaders ultimately take over the management and sustainability of projects with little to no need for ongoing international aid.