INTRODUCTION
One of our key charitable focuses is to provide sustainable and standardized water wells to communities in remote areas, irrespective of belief, race, and religion. Cambodia, situated in Southeast Asia, experiences the monsoon season from May to November annually and is intersected by the Mekong River. While water scarcity may not be commonly associated with this country, it is a reality of life.
In contrast to the easy access to drinking water in Western countries, Cambodia faces challenges. Villagers primarily rely on rainwater collected in large cement structures, fostering an environment prone to parasites and mosquito breeding. This leads to widespread illnesses, particularly among children, which could be easily treated if not for the high costs of medical care and water purification chemicals.
COMMNUITY-BASED MANAGEMENT
Communities should manage water supply and sanitation services, holding decision-making power over their responsible components. This involves:
- Participation: All community members should have equal opportunities to participate in the development and management process, with broad community support.
- Responsibility: The community takes ownership and obligations for the systems.
- Authority: The community has the legitimate right to make decisions regarding the system on behalf of the users.
- Control: The community can carry out and determine the outcome of its decisions.
- Accountability: The community accepts the consequences of its decisions and understands that action rests with them.
EDUCATION ON WATER TREATMENT
HHO representatives will provide education on water treatment to individuals and villages after well development for several reasons:
- To understand the full function of the water pump from the well.
- To practice water sanitation for maintaining well hygiene.
- To know how to save water from waste.
- To learn to utilize water optimally without wastage.
IMFORMATION UPDATE
Sponsors will receive information updates regarding the Water Well project, including:
- Reports on the Water Well Project.
- Site visits by sponsors’ representatives accompanied by HHO supervisors.
- Information updates on water well operations, verbally and in written formats supported by evidence such as pictures.
STATISTICS
From 2020 until now, we distributed 20 Standard water wells in 5 different provinces such as:
- Kandal: 2
- Takeo: 3
- Kampong Chhnang: 2
- Pursat: 1
- Tboung Khmum: 12
Improper waste disposal adds to the contamination. Trash discarded behind homes contaminates mucky water used in fields for food production, especially plastic bags. These toxins seep into the ground, affecting surface and groundwater. Each Cambodian community has unique geology, climate, and cultural factors that influence the most suitable water access project. HHO employs various technologies such as borehole drilling, well digging, small sub-surface dams, rainwater harvesting, freshwater spring protection, surface water filtration, and sanitation and hygiene practices.
Costs vary based on geology, local climate, and technology, and the Water is Life Project is committed to funding the most appropriate, efficient, and sustainable solutions for each community. Securing financial support from sponsors is crucial to enhancing the living standards of Cambodian citizens by providing clean water for domestic use and sanitation.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability of improved water supply and sanitation facilities and hygiene behaviors is a key objective of service delivery. Once established, systems should provide permanent service to users, including those accessing them in the future. The benefits of water supply, sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion should persist over a prolonged period. Essential factors include:
- Water resources should not be over-exploited.
- Pollution of water resources, especially from poor sanitation, should be prevented.
- Provision for effective Operation and Maintenance (O&M) ensures that Water Supply & Sanitation (WSS) facilities are maintained for reliable service.
- An effective enabling environment, including appropriate legislation, information, strong institutions with clear responsibilities, supportive attitudes, and political will.
- Appreciation of economic, social, and health benefits, guiding the choice of appropriate service levels and technologies.
- Financial viability based on affordability, capacity, willingness to pay, and financial management skills.
- An effective management information system.
