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How is Healthland different?
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Healthland’s industry, Vissot, is small and if you visit there you might wonder what's so special about Vissot.
However, Healthland’s industry has been producing and selling products successfully for almost 15 years. It has survived the transition between founders and new management and it has been developed on a relatively small budget.
Vissot has been voted one of the top 10 industries by the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce and has twice been featured by the government on Cambodian national TV documentaries. Workers at Vissot are genuinely grateful for the opportunity to work and develop their skills. Read some of their testimonies and you will see the benefit of Vissot in Cambodia.
In 2008, Vissot was selected to be a role model for other industries in hygiene and cleanliness. Best of all, Healthland has helped to inspire young Cambodians to strive for their best and start their own businesses and industries.
However, Healthland’s industry has been producing and selling products successfully for almost 15 years. It has survived the transition between founders and new management and it has been developed on a relatively small budget.
Vissot has been voted one of the top 10 industries by the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce and has twice been featured by the government on Cambodian national TV documentaries. Workers at Vissot are genuinely grateful for the opportunity to work and develop their skills. Read some of their testimonies and you will see the benefit of Vissot in Cambodia.
In 2008, Vissot was selected to be a role model for other industries in hygiene and cleanliness. Best of all, Healthland has helped to inspire young Cambodians to strive for their best and start their own businesses and industries.
What has made the difference?
Is charity ever 'bad' for people? It sounds unbelieveable but the answer is often YES.
In her book Dead Aid, Dambisa Moyo asks why Africa is still so poverty stricken after fifty years of generous aid. Her conclusion is that "Aid crowds out financial and social capital and feeds corruption; the countries that have 'caught up' did so despite, rather than because of, Aid."
Robert Lupton in his book Toxic Charity states "Never do for the poor what they have (or could have) the capacity to do for themselves."
Helping others with handouts robs them of their dignity, makes them resentful of our patronising charity and creates a culture of dependence.
Healthland has always understood that short-term, charitable projects that spend money rather than make money, kill initiative and leave people feeling helpless and stripped of personal pride in their accomplishments.
War and turmoil has left Cambodia behind in development. However, most Cambodian people do not want sympathy! They want us to partner with them and share skills so that they can develop their own skills and catch up with the rest of the world. They want to be able to produce their own quality exportable products and generate profits to care for the needs of their own people.
Healthland is focused on learning, along with young Cambodians, how to produce quality products and develop a successful business.
Partnerships require us to be open and honest with each other. If we provide honest feedback to them about what we need as customers and supporters who have confidence to invest in their industry and buy their products, they in turn will be able to make good use of the investment and supply us with delicious Cambodian products! Win-Win!
In her book Dead Aid, Dambisa Moyo asks why Africa is still so poverty stricken after fifty years of generous aid. Her conclusion is that "Aid crowds out financial and social capital and feeds corruption; the countries that have 'caught up' did so despite, rather than because of, Aid."
Robert Lupton in his book Toxic Charity states "Never do for the poor what they have (or could have) the capacity to do for themselves."
Helping others with handouts robs them of their dignity, makes them resentful of our patronising charity and creates a culture of dependence.
Healthland has always understood that short-term, charitable projects that spend money rather than make money, kill initiative and leave people feeling helpless and stripped of personal pride in their accomplishments.
War and turmoil has left Cambodia behind in development. However, most Cambodian people do not want sympathy! They want us to partner with them and share skills so that they can develop their own skills and catch up with the rest of the world. They want to be able to produce their own quality exportable products and generate profits to care for the needs of their own people.
Healthland is focused on learning, along with young Cambodians, how to produce quality products and develop a successful business.
Partnerships require us to be open and honest with each other. If we provide honest feedback to them about what we need as customers and supporters who have confidence to invest in their industry and buy their products, they in turn will be able to make good use of the investment and supply us with delicious Cambodian products! Win-Win!
Auditing and feedback
Because of their commitment to ongoing improvement, Healthland wants feedback and advice from experts, customers and supporters.
Please leave your own feedback and help Healthland continue to develop.
Please leave your own feedback and help Healthland continue to develop.
References
Lupton, R. D. (2011). Toxic charity: How churches and charities hurt those they help (and how to reverse it). New York, NY: HarperCollins.
Maren, M. (1997). The road to hell: The ravaging effects of foreign aid and international charity. New York, NY: Free Press.
Moyo, D. (2009). Dead aid: Why aid is not working and how there is another way for Africa. London, England: Penguin Books.
Ydouell, M. (2008) Why is Africa still poor? SAIS Review, 28(2), 139-140.
Lupton, R. D. (2011). Toxic charity: How churches and charities hurt those they help (and how to reverse it). New York, NY: HarperCollins.
Maren, M. (1997). The road to hell: The ravaging effects of foreign aid and international charity. New York, NY: Free Press.
Moyo, D. (2009). Dead aid: Why aid is not working and how there is another way for Africa. London, England: Penguin Books.
Ydouell, M. (2008) Why is Africa still poor? SAIS Review, 28(2), 139-140.
