By Simone Goldsmith, CUFA Volunteer

Sokheit Nov knows too well that approximately one dollar a day can help to transform the lives of people living in abject poverty in the Asia-Pacific. With no formal education and a limited income from her cake stall, she always struggled to provide sufficient food for her family, save for her childrens’ future or repair her home. Sokheit represents just one of one in four Cambodians who, according to the World Bank, live in poverty.

But Sokheit’s life changed irrevocably two years ago after she joined CUFA’s Village Entrepreneur program. She was connected with an ordinary Australian who committed to donating $37 a month for three years. This was enough to provide her with new materials for her micro-business and training in bookkeeping, cash flow management and marketing. These enabled her to grow her savings account, help her sister start a small grocery stall and most importantly, build a positive future for her family and live in dignity.

As we launch into the holiday season, we want to inspire you to empower people living in some of the poorest communities in the Asia-Pacific. They need your help. Sponsor your own village entrepreneur this Christmas to help lift people like Sokheit out of the vicious cycle of poverty. Your donation can go a long way. In fact, every dollar of donor funding creates $5.13 of social value! That makes a lasting difference to people living in poverty in countries such as Cambodia and Timor Leste.

To give the gift of empowerment this Christmas visit www.ve.org.au