CAM020 Water supply
project description
No life without water. In the two poorest provinces of Cambodia there is a shortage of rainfall, so external support is given to the villagers to help them changing this situation. PNKS (Light of Hope) yearly digs a big pond in two villages together with the inhabitants. The pond offers drinking water for the people and their livestock. Moreover, the kitchen gardens start flourishing again. Even good hygiene is possible!
why this project?
In the provinces Kampong Speu and Prey Veng one out of three people live in great poverty, because of the Cambodians war in the past. There is a lot of corruption and the opportunities in the rural areas are limited: no access to education, infrastructural problems (land mines), lack of health care and clean water. By digging ponds PNKS creates clean water for daily use. At the same time, fish farming is made possible, so fish starts to be a regular food item for the inhabitants. The standard of living rises, since people are assured of sufficient food, especially during droughts.
impact
Villagers are more healthy by clean drinking water and by eating fish. Their income rise by their growing number of livestock, and by sufficient harvest. More children can attend school, because villagers do not need to get water from far. The new situation also creates opportunities for paying attention to hygiene. In particular, elderly people and children are less vulnerable and are less often ill. Finally, the surroundings of the villages look more green.
What can we learn?
You can think of people who receive financial support of the government, or those who have to deal with debts. Acceptance of help and collaboration can indeed change our situations or situations of those around us. Are we open for offering support, or for others who offer us help?
