What a week!!
Monday, after introducing Jen to the “Water for Cambodia” (WFC) staff, and a planning meeting with Sea (pronounced C-ah) – our partner for the next four weeks – we headed to the market to get supplies for our Tippy-Tap project.
On Tuesday Sea, Samley (Sum-lie), Jen and I headed for Char Village. The reason for choosing these remote villages to begin with is that they are in a forgotten corner of Cambodia, and most deserving of support. After 3 1/2 hours of driving – the last 1 1/2 on nearly impassable dirt roads – we were questioning our decision. However, by the end of the day we felt assured we made the right choice, observing the obvious need. We experienced the enthusiasm of the children, the cooperation and excitement of the village chiefs, and school teachers and we knew we were in the right place.
In the mornings, the four of us along with the assistance of the kids and school teachers, conducted hand washing classes for all the children in both Char and Romeat schools. After that, we had the children and school staff build three station Tippy-Taps in important locations throughout the yard such as near cook space and latrines (see photo).
The school based hygiene education is a prelude to the WFC yearlong project which will include the construction of dug water wells, latrines and Bio-Sand filters in each community.
WFC will be supplying cement rings for wells and latrines to the villagers, and the villagers themselves will supply the labor for installation. In the case of the latrines – WFC will also supply the latrine cover and porcelain squat toilet, and the villagers will build their own enclosure. The Cambodians are very motivated, and will most assuredly keep up their end of the project.
Samley had visited the villages prior to our arrival, and located six future public water well locations in each community. He also located the recipients of the 15-20 latrines in each village. Each afternoon, we walked the villages and met the beneficiaries of the clean water infrastructure to confirm their interest. Samley has done an excellent job of spreading the improvements around so that different families and clusters of homes receive different support; the intention is that members of the communities will share resources. Our hope is that in so doing we will increase not only future participation, but also self help.
Lastly, we have rented cement forms for the rings and will manufacture the nearly 600 which is what we will need in the initial three target villages.
So, week one in the field was a great success in every way thanks to Jen engaging the children (they will never forget her), and Sea and Samley showing 100% dedication to the project.
Check out our greetings in Char Village School!