Provision

Direction and Purpose of Cyclo Centre

The Cyclo Centre, as an independent NGO, has a 37 article Constitution and a 3-year Strategic Plan (2005-8) which outlines in full the direction and purpose of the Centre and associated activities and procedures. The direction and purpose, as agreed by the Board, are:

• Vision  - How we see the long-term future.

That cyclo drivers, as a targeted urban poor group, gain opportunities to reduce their poverty and improve their living conditions in a self-supportive manner.

• Mission - How we see our task.

The Centre seeks to provide a place and organisation in Phnom Penh where cyclo drivers may receive basic medical care and livelihood support and are encouraged to participate in educational, vocational and social activities that will improve both their well-being and general socio-economic condition.

• Goal - Our purpose and direction

The Centre strives to improve the welfare of cyclo drivers in Phnom Penh through provision of a drop-in base where cyclo drivers are provided with basic support services and a space where they can meet, share ideas, gain access to information and develop opportunities to help themselves.

• Objectives - How to achieve our goal and mission.

(1)  To provide basic support services for cyclo drivers free of charge or at lowest cost. These to include basic health and hygiene services for drivers and their families, a place for drivers to repair cyclos and buy spare parts and paint for their machines and a place to meet, discuss ideas and problems and receive information about working conditions, education, health, and other relevant matters.

(2) To provide a variety of opportunities to develop self-sufficiency and group fraternity and solidarity. These to include safe savings and micro-credit savings schemes, vocational training, engagement in shared decision making and the chance 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 field.

Current Activities

The current (2005-2008) 3-year Strategic Plan groups the Centre's activities and projects into five programmes, each of which covers several areas. The programmes are designated as Health Care and Hygiene, Work Skills, Money Management, Communications and Information, and Cyclo Business and Promotion 

With the exception of the IRIS programme the following activities were implemented or began in the period from April 2005 to February 2006. Notes outlining progress of the programmes during that time can be read by clicking More at the end of a section that has further information on the Supplementary Archive page. For the latest information click here to go to the latest Annual Report page

Health Care and Hygiene Programme

The overall objective of this programme is to provide basic health and hygiene services to cyclo drivers and to promote awareness of better health and hygiene.

Health Consultation: Free consultations are available once per week with a visiting medical advisor at the Centre. Basic medicines are provided free with referral to hospitals for serious illnesses. More

Haircuts and Washing Facilities:  Haircuts are usually available 2 afternoons per month at the Centre from the AFESIP NGO. These afternoons also provide  opportunities for social interaction or for sharing work problems as well as reducing expenses and improving the image of the cyclo drivers. More

Eye-Care: IRIS Care International is a small NGO registered in the U.K., Switzerland and the U.S.A. that specialises in the prevention of blindness and the restoration of sight. Since 1996 it has financed an annual programme of 'eye camps' in remote rural areas of Cambodia and in 1999 built the country’s first eye clinic in Kampong Cham.

Remedying poor or deteriorating eyesight is unlikely to be a priority in a very limited family budget, yet the ability to see properly is vital for control of any kind of vehicle. The first step in the process of improving sight is to check the eyes very carefully and through the Cyclo Driver Initiative, which was launched in 2004 in co-operation with the Centre, IRIS conducted a screening programme for cyclo drivers. Over 400 people were screened and over 100 subsequently received treatment, with thirteen having cataract operations at Phnom Penh Municipal Hospital. Six others were treated for Pterygium (a vision - obstructing tissue growth) and one other had another serious eye problem dealt with. One hundred and fifty five cyclo drivers were provided with glasses by the Cambodian Optometry Association. All the glasses and the hospital treatment were paid for by IRIS.

To read about the 2005 and 2006 screenings click here to go to the Archive page.

United Health Network (UHN): The Cyclo Centre joined the Population Services International (PSI) United Health Network in Cambodia for 6 months from  January 2006 and signed an agreement with PSI (as part of becoming a member of the UHN) to participate in two HIV/AIDS/STD awareness training sessions with a total of 60 drivers and 4 cyclo Centre staff members.  The agreement also included painting and decorating a number of cyclos to be used in a PSI promotional programme on condom use. This resulted in a fleet of 30 cyclos being painted blue and decorated with 'Number 1 Plus' condom logos as from March 2006. The Centre also participated in the Stop Z programme. More

On February 24 2006 two Centre staff also attended the annual UHN workshop together with 20 other NGOs and organisations from most of the provinces in Cambodia.

Throughout 2007 the Centre will continuing to work with UHN in this important area.

Click here to read more about the work of PSI.

Pannasastra University: On 18 February 2006, Pannasastra University outreach clinic held a special HIV/AIDS awareness workshop with 37 cyclo drivers at the Centre. More

Anti-Smoke/Quit Smoke Project:  This project, initiated by the WHO in 2003/4, is now supported by the TIMA and the Centre continues to have a high profile presence in the continuing anti-smoking campaign. Cyclo drivers who smoke are encouraged to quit and those who do not are discouraged from starting. Many cyclos seen on the streets of Phnom Penh are not only painted green but also carry anti-smoking publicity. In 2004 the Phnom Penh Cyclo Centre was given an award for its work in this field. Click here to read more about this on the Archive page. More

Work Skills Programme

The overall objective of this programme is to improve vocational skills and develop self-sufficiency among cyclo drivers.

Cyclo Repairs: The Centre provides a space and tools for cyclo repairs during Centre opening hours. Low-cost materials and paint are also available to maintain and decorate cyclos. This service  reduces expenses,  improves the drivers repair skills and also improves the image of the vehicles on Phnom Penh’s  streets. A total of 424  cyclo drivers used this facility from April 2005 to March 2006 – an average of 39 per month.

English Language: English Language conversation classes are available at the Centre from 12 noon to 2pm everyday except Sunday. The classes are enabling many drivers to communicate more easily with foreign customers. Class are conducted  at two levels and the students are tested on their skill each month. Opportunity is also taken to supplement lessons with conversation classes by foreign volunteers. More

Vocational Training and Improving Rural Livelihoods: These activities did not occur during the 2005/6 year. Vocational Training was not offered at all during the 2005/6 financial year. A new proposed pilot project “Improving Rural Livelihoods” began a process of scoping and costing in 2005/6 with the intention of training selected cyclo drivers and their families in rural livelihoods income diversification. The pilot project did not commence in 2006 but it is hoped that a partner and sponsorship will be found during 2007. To read more about this initiative click here to go to the News page.

Money Management Programme

The overall objective of this programme  is to provide opportunities for cyclo drivers to develop good money management and savings habits and eventually economic self-sufficiency.

General Money Management: The Centre staff give the drivers training on general budgeting, savings techniques and money safety and also watch for opportunities for the cyclo drivers to join workshops on this subject with other organisations. Because many cyclo drivers live on the street and earn little money and have few material  goods, issues of money security and improving their material  situation are of prime importance to them. More

Savings Schemes: An in-house savings scheme for cyclo drivers has operated since 1999. Their savings are used to help their families, to establish  a new way of earning a living (like becoming a motodup or tuk-tuk driver) or for emergencies. More

Cyclo-Credit Loans: This scheme is part of the Quit-Smoke project sponsored by TIMA.  In this scheme selected drivers receive loans ($50 for a cyclo loan) plus $39 for safety equipment, which they then repay over 200 days. The benefits of the scheme are that these cyclo drivers have their own cyclo after 200 days, learn how to save effectively and thus make steps to escape poverty.  Owners of the Smoke-free green cyclos are also able to participate in the Cyclo Tourist Booking Service.  There are now 117 Smoke-free green cyclos as a result of the Anti-smoke credit loan schemes supported by NCHP, WHO and TIMA between 2003 and 2007. The scheme continues to operate and helps promote the anti-smoke message in Phnom Penh and beyond.

Communications and Information Programme

The overall objective of this programme is to provide a forum where cyclo drivers can meet, discuss ideas, and receive information on topics which affect their living and working conditions.  In addition, the programme provides opportunities for social networking and forming relationships with others working in the poverty reduction, health management, environmental and general social development issues.

Social Activities and Joining Events: The Centre engages in workshops (both internal or with other organisations) linked to current projects, such as anti-smoking awareness, and in invited events such as the Anti-Drug and Crime Day.  These events give the drivers an opportunity to further understand topical issues and also to advocate about their situation in the Phnom Penh urban poor community and generally. Click here to go to the Album page where you will find photographs of the Centre involvement in community action days. More

Monthly Meetings and Information Systems:  Formal meetings for the cyclo drivers are organised every month at the Centre.  At these meetings the cyclos are given information on forthcoming activities, their concerns and ideas are discussed, and sometimes they participate in basic training on topics such as money management. More

Cyclo Business and Promotion Programme

The overall objective of this programme is to increase the profile of the Cyclo Centre and highlight the situation of cyclo drivers and to seek ways which increase the self-sufficiency of the drivers and the sustainability of the Centre.

Cyclo Rally: In 2004, 2006 and again this year the Centre organised cyclo rallies. Click here to read about the 2004 and 2005 cyclo rides and here to read about the 2007 rally. Click here to go to the Album page where you will be able to see photographs of the 2005 rally.

Media Promotion : Cyclo Centre Activities are promoted in the media as opportunities arise or, in the case of the Cyclo Rally, sought. More

Tourist Booking Service: The Cyclo Centre has arrangements with several Phnom Penh Tour Companies to provide cyclo tours on request and a number of companies have already signed formal contracts with the Centre. There are also other regular clients such as  the Monkey Bar, Rubies, and  the Australian Embassy. There is a fixed price schedule and Smoke-free, green-painted, cyclo-credit vehicles are provided for the service.

This service  expanded in 2005 and by early 2006 companies such as Asia Trails, APSARA Tours, Travel Indochina, Other Ways, Exotissimo, Hanuman, and other companies and organisations were using it. Between August 2006 and January 2007 the TBS earned a total USD 3024.75. A small percentage of the fee (variable according to the length and size of the tour, but between 10 to 15%) goes to the Centre for administration, laundry services and general quality control of the tours.

A new pricing structure has been introduced for 2007, which is shown below. More

Future Direction for the Cyclo Centre

The overall direction for the duration of the current 3 year Strategic Plan is to build a strong foundation for the Centre to ensure its longer-term sustainability. This will occur in the following context :

 On-going monitoring of  the cyclo community

Careful monitoring of the cyclo community in Phnom Penh is regularly undertaken. More

Development and assessment of the Centre’s organisation

Click here to go to Archive page to read about the Centre's moves towards independent status

In February 2006 the Board adopted a Staff Employment Manual on Procedures and Guidelines Governing Centre Operations and Management. This includes an attachment on guidelines for cyclo drivers explaining the opportunities and responsibilities of being a registered member of the Centre. 

In March 2006  a Staff Training Needs Assessment was completed outlining recommendations for staff training during the 2006/7 year.

Over the current year the Centre is continuing to refine its internal processes and procedures and ensure that staff are appropriately trained to increase their management and organisational capacity to undertake the tasks outlined in the 3-year Strategic Plan.     

During development of the 3-year Strategic Plan a comprehensive assessment of current programmes and projects/activities is regularly undertaken. This process occurs annually to ensure that the Centre continues to provide relevant and cost-effective activities and that funding requirements for the forthcoming financial year are procured in good time. More