Rotary Central Melbourne, in partnership with Cambodia Clean Water and Toilet Project Ltd (CCWT), has successfully completed a water and sanitation project in Kok Tnoth village (close to the temples of Angkor Wat).
In addition to providing some food relief, a team of local people, managed remotely from Australia, installed 12 clean water bores and 12 toilet/washrooms on time and on budget.
COVID has severely affected tourism to Siem Reap and the area around Angkor Wat. Consequently this has impacted the employment and sources of income of many people in villages such as Kok Tnoth. The pandemic has also impacted the implementation and management of much-needed projects in the communities. However, in Kok Tnoth, March 2020, the villagers themselves formed the team to construct toilets and dig the wells and the project continued under the supervision of one villager who is fluent in English. The project was also very fortunate to have Darrel Steer, affectionately known as “Dunny Darrel”, manage the project remotely from his home in Queensland. This phase of the project has benefitted twelve families with toilets/washrooms installed adjacent to their houses and over 30 families benefitted from access to the 12 water bores that were installed.
Poor sanitation causes disease and can severely affect adults seeking employment as well as limiting their ability to tend to their own crops. Equally, and perhaps more importantly, poor sanitation and hygiene are factors in limiting children’s education and other opportunities. All recipients of the toilets and bores pay a small fee as a “buy in” and receive training in sanitation and management of the toilets and bores.
CCWT, the project partner, has previously installed 350 toilets and 100 clean water bores in Kok Tnoth village. The sanitation and clean water provided by this project will provide long-term benefits in health, education and employment for the villagers. Our long-term plan is provide the entire community with their own toilets and clean water.
Rotarians from the District-recognised program World of Difference (WOD) engaged in the fundraising and planning for the project in conjunction with Rotary Central Melbourne’s International Service Committee. The Rotary Foundation provided additional funds through a D9800 District Global Grant.
Contributor: Rob Hines, Rotary Central Melbourne