Annual Report

It is reproduced below from its printed form.

Executive Summary

The coming year is the last in a 5-year cycle of funding from the Megumi and Takayama Foundation and the Board and Management wish to thank the Foundation for its generous and considerable contribution to the growth of the Centre.

And also we would like to thank core costs of funding the Kadoorie Charitable Foundation (KCF), Madam Michéle Claudel for its generous and considerable contribution to the growth of the Centre.

The need to identify new funding sources and nurture existing and on-going ones has therefore become a priority and consequently the past year has seen the Centre focusing its strategy more tightly and examining opportunities to cut costs, and if necessary some programmes, in order to cater best for the real needs of cyclo drivers.

The Daily Activities Programme, annual Eye Screening Programme with IRIS and tobacco control programmes with TIMA, WHO and NCHP continue to be the life-blood of the Centre’s operations but as funding becomes squeezed, we are very aware of the need to increase self-sustainability and consequently it is a goal for the Centre for 2007-08 to resource a considerable and structured  increase to our growing Cyclo Tour business while at the same time providing opportunities for cyclo drivers to return to their home-lands through a series of Rural Livelihood programmes.

Funding for core costs and existing, planned  programmes this financial year is now secure thanks to the support of our donor partners; Shegumi and Takayama Foundation, International Resources for the Improvement  of Sight (IRIS) the Taiwan International Medical Alliance (TIMA) and revenue generated from cyclo business – cyclo tours, book sales and several generous donations from individuals.

The Board and Management are confident that the Cyclo Centre can continue its pursuit of poverty alleviation in the Kingdom of Cambodia as it increases its profile in the community, as it develops greater revenue earning capacity and reaches out for new partners.

Nouv Sarany

Cyclo Centre Coordinator

1. INTRODUCTION

The Cyclo Centre, Phnom Penh (referred to as the Centre) was established to provide basic support services to cyclo drivers in the City and to provide a place where they can meet, share ideas and access information and education programmes that enable the drivers to help themselves and take advantage of opportunities for a better quality of life. The Centre is non-political and non-profit making and will continue to operate as long as there is a need and good participation by cyclo drivers.    

Centre location   #9AEo, Street 158, Sangkat Boeung Raing, Khan Deun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Membership:      About 1,400 cyclo-drivers are users and beneficiaries of the Centre. Of these 1,335 are registered members.

The Centre was established in July 1999 and for 6 years operated as a programme within the NGO The Urban Resource Centre (URC).  From 2 August 2005 the Cyclo Centre has been registered as an independent Cambodian NGO with the Ministry of the Interior.

This Annual report will therefore concentrate on the detailed programme of the SMTF, KCF, Madam Michéle Claudel / Day Activities Programme during the whole year (April 2006 to March 2007) of the SMTF, KCF, Madam Michéle Claudel contract (April 2006 to March 2007) with the Cyclo Centre Phnom Penh.

2. LOCAL CONTEXT

The estimated population of Cambodia is 14 million and 36% of people are estimated to live below the poverty line. For rural areas this rises to over 40%. Of the estimated 1.3 million people in Phnom Penh, over 20% are considered to live in identified poor communities.  In addition, people below the poverty line also live in all other areas throughout the city.

Cyclo drivers are part of those living below the poverty line and most of these drivers are too poor to even live in poor communities. Many cyclos live in their vehicles on the streets of Phnom Penh (see section 8.1).

The streets of Phnom Penh also see increasing congestion with the growth of motorised vehicles - cars, land cruisers, motorbike taxis (“motos”) and motorised tricycles (tuk-tuks). While cyclos remain an important part of Phnom Penh’s transport system, they are rapidly being “squeezed out” by these other modes. From the early 20^th century to the mid-1980s, however, the cyclo was one of the main forms of commercial transport in the city for carrying goods and people.

The cyclo drivers of Phnom Penh are often migrants from rural areas trying to supplement their meager agricultural income. Most of these drivers rent cyclos seasonally, although some are owner drivers and live permanently in Phnom Penh.

In 1992 a report indicated that there were 10,600 cyclos in Phnom Penh at that time. Since that time, the number has reduced as other modes of transport increase and other forms of casual employment rise and recent Cyclo Centre surveys (1999 and December 2003) have indicated that there are now only about 2,200 cyclos in the 4 inner city Khans.

An overall figure of about 3,000 cyclos is sometimes cited, which is well down from the 1992 estimate of 10,600 cyclo drivers. There is, nevertheless, still a seasonal rural-urban migration pattern with rural migrants spending 3 or more months in the city and often driving cyclos for that time.  Other more permanent cyclo drivers also frequently return to their rural areas to help with seasonal, activities such as rice planting.

3. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CYCLO CENTRE

In 1999 as a result of perceived need for cyclo driver support the Urban Resource Centre (URC) carried out a series of surveys with cyclo drivers to assess their needs, and to investigate the feasibility of establishing a cyclo drivers’ centre in Phnom Penh.  The present Cyclo Centre, Phnom Penh was established in July 1999 and has steadily increased its membership and improved its services since that time.

Initial funding for the Centre in 1999 was from a sponsored ride from Phnom Penh to Kampong Som, and the Cyclo Rally has been a traditional form of fund raising throughout the Centre’s history with sponsored rides in 1999, 2001, 2004 and 2005.

Since 2000 the Centre has been supported by a variety of sources including Canada Fund and Church World Services (2000); Epic Arts (UK), UNCHS and the National Centre for Health Promotion (2001) in the formative years.  More recently the Centre has received core funding from the Shigeo, Megumi and Takayama Foundation in Japan (2003, 2004, 2005 and partial funding to 2007/8) and project funding and/or services from Family Health International (FHI-2004); the Taiwan International Medical Alliance (TIMA-2004-6/7), the World Health Organisation (WHO-2003); IRIS Eye care (2004-5/6); and Population Services International (PSI-2004-5/6).  In addition, private donations have supplemented core and project funding throughout the life of the organisation.

The Centre now operates independently as a local NGO, registered with the Ministry of Interior.

4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION IN THE PROPOSAL

The project description in the proposal to SMTF, KCF, Madam Michéle Claudel included the following:

4.1   OBJECTIVE

(1)               To provide basic support services for cyclo drivers free of charge or at lowest cost including:

Ø      Basic health and hygiene services for drivers and their families.

Ø      A place for drivers to repair cyclos and buy spare parts and paint.

Ø  A place to meet, discuss ideas and problems and receive information about working conditions, education, health, and other relevant matters.

(2)              To provide opportunities to develop self-sufficiency and group  fraternity and solidarity through:

Ø      Safe savings and micro-credit savings schemes.

Ø      Vocational training schemes.

Ø      Engagement in shared decision making.

Ø      Opportunities to discuss the future role and activities of the Centre.

(3)              To maintain good relationships with the Royal Cambodian Government (RGC), International and local organizations and others working in the poverty reduction and development fields.

4.2   STRATEGIES

·         Accessibility of information and basic services for improving personal health and hygiene and increased awareness about specific health issues such as tobacco use, eye care and HIV/AIDS/STD prevention.

·        Accessibility to education and development of vocational skills to improve cyclo drivers’ confidence in the workplace and economic self-sufficiency.

·        Accessibility to savings schemes, cyclo credit loans and general education on money management to help increase money management skills and money security for cyclo drivers.

·        Provision of a place to discuss ideas, receive information and establish networks and relationships which would improve the living and working conditions of cyclo drivers.

·        Provision of opportunities to increase the self-sufficiency and sustainability of the Centre and highlight the profile and situation of the cyclo drivers of Phnom Penh.

·        Evaluate the personal success and overall sustainability of the Day Activities Programme through obtaining monthly feedback from cyclo drivers and through establishing follow-up measures to evaluate the project objective and strategies.

·        Assess the beneficiaries of the project and report on the overall success and likely sustainablility of the project in the Cyclo Centre's 6-monthly Progress and Annual Reports, as well as reporting directly to SMTF, KCF, Madam Michéle Claudel as agreed in their contract with the Centre.

4.3   PROPOSED ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAMME

·        During the monthly meetings any problems with the Day Activities Programme will be identified and the cyclo drivers and Cyclo Centre staff will discuss solutions. In addition, the Cyclo Centre will participate in numerous events organised by local NGOs and partner organisations.

·        The monthly meetings are often attended by a range of local partner's giving information on topical issues such as the benefits of the not smoking (NCHP), STD awareness (PSI), monthly management and environment issues (CVCD). Imputs from other partners are planned for 2007. 

·        The Day Activities Programme  provided free haircut by AFESIP (Agir Pour Les Femmes en Situation Precaire) in a mutual benefit arrangement (girls learn trade, men get haircuts) and sometime if they are busy we invite the barber from outside (1 head = 1300 Riels). 

·        The attendance of drivers at all meeting and activities in relation the activities will be recorded to assess the level of their participation.

·        Micro-credit and savings activities which are part of the anti-smoke project will be monitored (by cyclo staff and the drivers themselves) to ensure that savings group members pay back the loans in accordance with the contract agreement for each loan.  

·        A programme progress and evaluation report will be provided to SMTF, KCF, Madam Michéle Claudel in accordance with the agreement and conditions of the partner contract or on the partner's request. The programme will also be reported in the Centre's 6-monthly and annual reports.  

4.4   ANTICIPATED BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROGRAMME

The beneficiaries of the Day Activities Programme are expected to be primarily the cyclo drivers who will see improvements to their health and to the provision of services for cyclo drivers at the Centre. The beneficiaries will also include the families and friends of cyclo drivers who will be informed about how services provided by the Centre have improved the day-to day living conditions of this highly vulnerable group as well as the dangers of smoking. Information will also be disseminated by pamphlets.

Through the Anti-smoke programme cyclo drivers have participated in the formal sessions of the anti-smoke campaign which continues to be promoted by the cyclo drivers who have added anti-smoking aerials and stickers to their cyclos. In addition, through the anti-smoke credit scheme, some drivers will be able to purchase their own cyclos by repaying loans in affordable installments.

All of these factors will likely improve the lives of cyclo drivers and make them more confident that they have place, a voice, and increased group solidarity for advocacy.

5. PROJECT PROGRESS APRIL 2006 TO MARCH 2007

5.1   Health Care and Hygiene Programme

5.1.1 Health Consultation

The Health Care and Hygiene Programme helps take care of cyclo drivers’ health and well-being in the city. They face a lot of problems in both their living and working conditions as most sleep on the street in all weathers and are subject to theft and physical abuse. These situations result in weakness or poor health. The Cyclo centre helps drivers with medical consultations and the provision of medicine.  The service is available twice per week and if any cyclo drivers has a serious illness, the Centre will send him to a referral hospital or clinic.

The mobile consultant doctor provides opportunities to cyclo drivers where they sleep on the street and the services of a medical and doctor consultant are provided twice per month  Especially, we have to organize meetings with cyclo drivers at the Centre to select place where we can meet the many cyclo drivers who sleep on the street.          

Now it is easier for the Cyclo Centre, which has worked co-operatively in partnership with Urban Sector Group (USG) on healthcare, to save and send cyclo drivers to hospital in good time. In July, August and October 2006 five drivers and their families went to Health Centre to check their health and one was sent to hospital. The Centre helps them with limited support such as when a driver has an accident or is having big problems with alcohol.

Cyclo drivers use the Centre’s Medical Services as follows:

5.1.2 Haircuts and Washing Facilities

Is a service which helps Cyclo drivers to save money from expenditure on haircuts every half month as the service is free. This project has been developed in cooperation with the NGO AFESIP for several years. The Cyclo Centre haircut services are available twice per month. Numbers using this service per month follow. The average number of haircuts per month is 30.   Sometimes (07 times ADD FIGS) in 2005/6 AFESIP were unable to attend and the Centre used a private barber, at cost of 447,110 R ($110.15) (per head 1,300r) (From April 2006-March 2007).

5.1.3              STD Stop Z (R) Medicine

Is a project where the Cyclo Centre cooperates with Population Services International (PSI) to promote Stop Z ® medicine for the treatment of STD. The Project contract started November, 2004 - May, 2006. On 20 of June 2006 PSI evaluated on the project and finished the contract between Cyclo Centre and PSI. The Cyclo Centre received a reference letter on Stop Z (R) from PSI.  PSI also provides advertising materials like posters, stickers, etc. The promotion by cyclo drivers to other drivers and their peers occurs once per week. The peer leaders educated cyclo drivers in the city from the beginning until the end; there were 946 males and 26 females taught how to use Stop Z (R) medicine to treat STD. For the past months the Centre has separately monitored the figures for male and female peers that were contacted each month, which was suggested after the last monitoring report.

5.1.4 Eye-Care

During one week in October, IRIS again initiated a partnership with the Cyclo Centre to conduct eye screening of cyclo driver in Phnom Penh.

In the week 364 drivers had their eyes screened and 66 drivers received free eye glasses, Forty One (41) drivers were also identified as requiring surgery. However, only 30 of these received operations which were provided free-of charge, Cyclo drivers found to have cataracts/other blinding conditions were given an appointment at the Municipal Hospital to have surgery, also free-of-charge. The services this year also included the family of the cyclo drivers.

5.1.5 Anti-smoke/Quit-smoke

Overall the objective of the Anti-smoke Programme for 2006/2007 has been achieved to varying degrees of success.

Staff of the Centre provided training with the staff from ADRA to cyclo drivers who came to participate for awareness and Quit Smoke Programme. In October and November 2006, 214 cyclo drivers participated in the general anti-smoke awareness workshop. Of these, 60 drivers then participated in three (3 groups of 20) quit smoke sessions and will provide 40 drivers more to participate on May and June 2007 for quit smoke sessions, and 17 of these drivers are now engage in the cyclo credit loan scheme.

The Cyclo credit loan scheme is the part of the Anti-smoke Programme, was developed to help alleviate the poverty of cyclo drivers as well as being a health and hygiene programme. In this scheme selected drivers receive loans $50 for a cyclo loan plus $42.31 for safety equipment which they repay over 200 days. The objective of the Centre is to quit cyclo drivers from smoking and therefore help their well-being “Quit smoking reduces poverty and results in better health”.  An additional benefit from the credit loan scheme is that those who quit smoking have an opportunity to own a green smoke-free cyclo and be on the fleet who take tours through the Cyclo Tourist Booking Service.

This has raised the number of drivers being supported by TIMA in the anti-smoke/quit smoke programme from November 2004 to March 2007 to:

· 454 (90 + 150 + 214) in general awareness workshops

                        · 120 (60 + 60 + 60) in quit-smoke sessions

                             · 49 (28 + 21) have completed the credit loan scheme

                             · 29 (10 + 19) are continuing repayments

This means that there are now 119 green smoke-free cyclos. The Cyclo Centre will start forty eight (48) new cyclos during March to July 2007 and this fleet will continue to promote the anti-smoke message throughout Phnom Penh beyond the life of the Anti-smoke Programme. The Cyclo Tourist Booking Services is now very popular and very attractive for tour companies and the foreigners. It also acts as an incentive for drivers to continue and benefit from owning and driving the green anti-smoke cyclos. The Cyclo Drivers, together with staff members, will also develop some basic guidelines to inform the drivers about their opportunities and responsibilities once they become registered members of the Centre.    

5.2           Work Skills Programme

5.2.1         Cyclo Repair

Provides a basic service where the Cyclo Centre offers a place and repair materials and tools for the drivers to maintain, decorate and paint their cyclos.  Materials are available at the lowest cost possible. A total 192 cyclo drivers used this facility from April – September 2006, on average 35 per month.

5.2.2  English Language

Are essential to help drivers communicate with foreigners and makes it easier for them to guide tourists visiting Phnom Penh. Most foreign clients use English. The lessons are divided into two classes. The first course is on Basic English. The second course is on how to communicate or make conversation with foreigners.

5.2.3  Vocational Training/Improving Rural Livelihoods

In this context, the Centre is seeking funding support and training sponsorship to pilot a new approach to improving the livelihood of selected cyclo-drivers. In this initiative a small number of cyclo-drivers (a total of fifty (50) in 2 provinces, Prey Vieng and Svey Rieng) will learn ways of diversifying their families’ rural income through developing new income-generation activities on family or commune land.

This would have the double benefit of building individual cyclo driver’s work skills and giving them the opportunity to stay in the provinces, while assisting the rural families to be more self-supportive, even when a cyclo family’s member chooses to work seasonally in Phnom Penh. In addition, our programme enables the trained cyclo driver to pass on the new skills and ideas to other village or commune families and other rural cyclo drivers.

This on-going programme will be central to the Centre effort to help support drivers' families in the Provinces through diversifying income sources from family land and extending the skills of both the drivers and their families.

5.3           Money Management Programme

5.3.1   General Money Management-budgeting, Savings, Safety money etc.

Is a skill which everyone needs to learn so that they can manage their daily or monthly savings and expenditure. The Cyclo Centre has been introducing and educating cyclo drivers every month, within the monthly meetings, on how to budget and keep their money safely.

Major topics discussed over the 2005/6 year included planning for the September Cyclo rally: the PSI Stop Z Social marketing project and proposed condom marketing by drivers, workshops for the anti-smoking/quit-smoke project and participating in the cyclo credit schemes, the IRIS eye-care programme, cyclo drivers support for the proposed Improving Rural Livelihoods Project, becoming a member of the United Health Network, road safety issues, cyclo driver guidelines in the Staff Manual, participation in and associated rules for the Tourist Booking Service, the Centre budget and funding for 2006/7, and specific events and situations affecting drivers like the deaths of several cyclo drivers through illness, cyclo drivers conflicts with each other and security, both at the Centre and in the market and streets.

                     5.5   Cyclo Business and Promotion Programme

                     5.5.2 Tourist Booking Service

The Cyclo Centre has arrangements with several Phnom Penh Tour Companies to provide cyclo tour on request and 10 companies have already signed formal contracts with the Centre. There is a fixed price schedule and smoke-free, green-painted, cyclo credit vehicles are provided for the service. At the beginning of April 2007 Cyclo Centre have new agreement between Cyclo Centre and Tour Company on the new price:

This service expanded in 2006 and 2007 and companies such as Asia Trails, APSARA Tours, Travel Indochina, Other Ways, Exotissimo, Hanuman, Erasia, Khmer Art, Angkor Tour and other companies and organisations used the Cyclo Tourist Booking Service between April 2006 and March 2007 earned a total USD 7,348.45. A small percentage of the fee (Variable according to the length and size of the tour) goes to the Centre for administration, laundry services and general quality control on the tour. This amounted to USD695.48 for the year (14.07% of the total income).

The number of cyclos booked per month through this service averaged 148 drivers from April 2006 to March 2007 (a range from 2 to 295 per month reflecting seasonal tourist fluctuations). This overage came from between 2 to 24 booking per month with the size of group bookings vary from 2 or 4 people to 70 people.

5.5.3 Media Promotion

The Cyclo Centre has had several stories in a range of media over the past 6 months as follows:       

1. Democratic Voice Radio FM 105 and FM 103 Radio (June with   bad impact of Tobacco consumption on the Green Cyclo).

2. Cambodian Television Network (CTN) invited Centre staff to   interview about day activities on coming live on 27 October 2007.

3. On 3^rd November 2006 The Centre Project officer interviewed by Cambodia Daily Newspaper about every day activities.

4. On 13^th February 2007, Samnethmey Newspaper in Khmer Language interviewed about the Centre history and Everyday activities.

5. On 13^th February 2007 Journalist from German interviewed Centre Co coordinator, Sarany about history and everyday activities