Impact Stories
Direct From The Source

In Cambodia’s Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project, communities and conservationists are working hand-in-hand to build a future where people and endangered wildlife—especially Asian elephants—can live together in harmony. Through open dialogue, local wisdom, and creative solutions, a shared vision of human-wildlife coexistence is taking root in the forest.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the leadership of Kae Vert, a young Indigenous Bunong woman who has defied expectations to lead her community in protecting their ancestral lands. As the chief of the Sre Preah Community Protected Area in the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, Vert is working to preserve both the environment and the cultural traditions of her people.

The Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project supports students in rural Cambodia, like Ra Srey Lin, in pursuing higher education through its scholarship program. These opportunities enable young people to achieve their aspirations, contribute to their communities, and shape a sustainable future.

As chief of the O Pong Rong Community Protected Area, Sari champions conservation and cultural preservation in the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, inspiring his community to safeguard the land that sustains them.

In the heart of Koh Kong province, Mr. Tith Ly and his Chorng Indigenous community are safeguarding their ecosystem and revitalizing livelihoods. By partnering with the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project, they are turning their deep connection to nature into a sustainable path forward, ensuring a thriving future for both their people and the forest.

“Through this ecotourism initiative, we are able to conserve the forest, protect our ancestral land, and preserve our tradition. And at the same time, wildlife’s habitat and their sources of food will be safeguarded.”

“In Cambodia, where rising temperatures have caused many of our water sources – such as rivers, ponds, and small brick wells – to dry up, the REDD+ Project’s provision of water couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Empowering Bunong heritage, the Krama Weaving Group, part of the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ project, modernizes traditional weaving, enhancing efficiency and cultural preservation. With a focus on community collaboration, it introduces innovative techniques to scale production, currently engaging 34 women from Pu Rang and Pu Tang villages.

The Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS) REDD+ Project partners with local communities through initiatives like Cash for Communities (C4C), providing direct financial support for projects like cow-raising, chicken rearing, and aquaculture. This approach fosters economic growth and natural resource conservation, contributing to deforestation mitigation.

Hear from community members about the positive impact REDD+ has had on their forests and livelihoods, and what life would have been like without it.

“If we lose the forest, we will also lose our traditional beliefs. The existence of the forest and our beliefs are intertwined; the forest’s presence allows our beliefs to persist.” -Ly Sareoun, Indigenous Bunong Community Member

At the age of 34, she is the REDD+ Community Chief of the Sre Lvi village and is a role model for young girls in her community.

Phyee Ruonh works tirelessly to improve his community’s livelihood, to protect the spiritual forest and his ancestral land.

Parents living in the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project zone help send their children to school through their involvement in forest protection

Hear from Touch It, a REDD+ scholarship student studying Economics of Informational Technology. She hopes to become a professional marketing researcher working with local villagers and farmers in her community after she graduates.

Hear from Thorn Khak, a REDD+ scholarship student who is studying agricultural science and hopes to become a specialist in his field working in his local community.

Hear from Pich Savary, a REDD+ scholarship student studying tourism who hopes to share her knowledge and promote ecotourism on a larger scale when she graduates.

Hear from Tith Sour, an Indigenous REDD+ scholarship student studying Agricultural Information Technology who hopes to become a web developer with professional skills to help develop his community and protect forests and natural resources.

En, Hang, and Prum from the Southern Cardamom REDD+ Project in Cambodia share the challenges their communities are facing due to climate change and are calling on World Leaders to invest into conservation in Cambodia.

Peon, Korn, and Srev from the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary REDD+ Project in Cambodia share how the impacts of climate change are affecting their ability to cultivate food and are calling on World Leaders to help protect their natural resources.

The Community Chief along with his villagers joined hands and echoed together that they have taken an oath to protect their forest and wildlife. Likewise, they request everyone to do the same. “Together we can protect the future.”

The Indigenous Bungong People are vested stakeholders in protecting their traditional land and are calling on World Leaders to do their part to preserve forests and wildlife for the next generation.