Doung Chan Neang did not think much about nutrition during her first four pregnancies. Like many mothers in rural Cambodia, she relied on her habit and the advice from neighbors — sometimes taking medication without knowing whether it was safe to take during pregnancy. Now she is pregnant with her fourth child, and things are different.
In Chhour Krouch village, Kratie province, Chan Neang receives regular visits from Theng Phalla, a Village Health Support Group (a village health volunteer). They discuss pregnancy check-ups, nutrition for Chan Neang and her child, and her overall well-being.
“Now, I feel looked after by the village health volunteers, and the nurses at our health center,” says Chan Neang. “In the past, because my family was poor, my husband and I moved from province to province for construction work. I couldn’t attend regular pregnancy check-ups or ensure proper healthcare for my children.”
Hundreds of kilometers away, in the remote hills of Ratanakiri province, a village health volunteer, Ting Bek, is doing the same work – visiting pregnant women and families with young children and bringing health and nutrition advice directly into their homes.
“I want my community to have more knowledge on maternal and child health and nutrition,” she explains.
The First 1,000-Day Window
At the heart of this initiative is a simple idea: the first 1,000 days of a child’s life — from conception to the second birthday — are the most critical for physical and cognitive development.
What happens during this period of early years shapes not just a child’s health and learning outcomes, but their longer-term well-being and ability to seize economic opportunities as well as their ability to participate in the workforce and consequently their future earning potential, thereby contribute to their communities and economic growth of the country.
In Cambodia, poor maternal health and nutrition that contributes to chronic malnutrition among children have long affected rural communities. But in places like Kratie and Ratanakiri, local governments, health workers, and volunteers are working together to change that.
In Chhour Krouch village, Theng Phalla regularly visits pregnant women and families with young children, providing advice on nutrition and feeding practices, iron supplements for pregnant women, and safe pregnancy practices.
“I am passionate about volunteering and contributing to the community so that mothers understand nutrition and their children grow well,” she says. “Health is wealth. Good health saves time and money and allows families to earn more.”
The benefits of improved nutrition extend beyond individual households. Better nutrition reduces illness and healthcare costs, allowing parents to spend more time working and generating income. Over time, healthier children become a more productive workforce, helping local businesses grow, attracting investment, and contributing to economic development. In this way, investing in nutrition not only contributes to better health outcomes, but also to future job opportunities and economic growth.
This view is shared by Vy Hing, Council Member for Women and Children in Ke Chong Commune of Ratanakiri. “When mothers receive proper nutrition and care, their children are more likely to grow healthy, learn well, and break the cycle of poverty,” she says.
read more: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2026/08/14/a-village-s-embrace-investing-in-nutrition-building-opportunities-in-cambodia
