In March of 2009, two credit unions were inaugurated in Kork Banteay and Tang Kraisang, 2 hours north of Phnom Penh. The credit unions are formed from existing savings and loan groups, networking them together and pooling their resources so that they can provide better and more comprehensive products and services to their members.

CCA is partnered with the Cambodian Community Foundation Network (CCFiN). CCFiN has been working with community members for the past 1 ½ years educating them about co-operatives and strengthening their financial skills and systems so that they can manage member savings safely and securely, earning the trust of the rural poor.

Mr. Bun An and Mr. Chey Soleun are commune leaders. Initially they liked the idea of a credit union but they weren't convinced that it could work in their own villages. Things changed when CCA organized an exposure program to Thailand with the Asian Confederation of Credit Unions and the Credit Union League of Thailand.

What they learned there was that each credit union started in a neighbours living room with a handful of members and a few dollars in savings, but that each had grown to become a successful, trusted community organization, providing value to their members and community at large.

The enthusiasm and voluntary commitment of the Thai board of directors inspired the two Cambodian leaders to work toward creating credit unions at home. Following an action planning session, CCFiN credit union officer, Mr. Heng reflected on the impact of the visit: "Now they are thinking that they can start the credit union in their community. They are no longer thinking about waiting for an NGO to build an office for the credit union or buy computers. If the community pulls together they can build their own office in time."

Today, the credit unions have a combined membership of 872 members. They are just starting out but they committed to a long term vision of a prosperous, self-reliant community and a key role for their credit unions to play in building member incomes, assets and trust.