Toultrir village in Kompong Speu province is typical of many rural communities in Cambodia. During the dry season many men migrate from the village in order to find work in urban areas, often leaving their families behind with few means of employment or income. Largely through boredom many of the village women had taken up gambling, calling their neighbours to join them in playing cards.

When the WDO CDF came to work with the village he encouraged the CCG and community to think about the long term impact and results of this behaviour - loss of money, loss of time, making conflicts amongst each other and setting a bad example to the children. Over time the community began to change its idea and people started to think more seriously about their situation and their most basic needs - food and water.

In response the CCG requested assistance to organize a rice bank in order to support the needs of the poorest members of the community. The CDF facilitated the CCG to select a committee responsible for the day to day organization of the rice-bank and developed rules for rice loans and repayment. Initially WDO invested in buying 6 tons rice, and in the first year of operation this benefited 31 families. By year 2 the rice bank supported 47 families and the interest added a further 800kgs to the stock, this increased to 1.5 tons during the third year when 56 families benefited.

For every 100Kgs of rice loaned families are required to contribute an extra 20kg when their own rice is harvested. In this way the rice bank had accumulated a substantial amount of rice, which when the excess was sold bought in a profit of R200,000 (US$50). It was decided by the rice bank committee to save all the profits in this way and there are now plans to begin self-help groups, which will continue to benefit families through a variety of small scale initiatives.