Improve Health with Clean Water in Rural Cambodia

Although a latrine is a not a glamorous gift, it is life changing to the families who receive one. In 2020, Trailblazer installed 86 latrines benefitting 430 villagers. Below is just one story of a former receipient of a latrine and the change it made for him and his family.

In 2018, Trailblazer installed 50 latrines in Prom Kod village, Ballangk commune, Prasat Bakong district, Siem Reap Province. The families who received a latrine held a poor Identity Card, which recognizes their level of poverty by the government, and which is used by the village committee to determine which families are selected to be a beneficieary of a latrine.

Before the construction of latrines begin, Trailblazer's Health Program team conduct “Hygiene and Latrine Using Training” for the recipients of a latrine to best prepare them for having and using a latrine. Among the 50 selected familes, Mr. Hong, his wife, with their 7 children were one of the families who received a latrine.

Our team asked Mr. Hong, “Where did you and your kids defecate every day?” Hong replied, “We went to the bushes outside the village. We walked passed the field into the bushes, about 600-700 meters from our house. At night it was even more difficult. I was very worried for my girls when they went to the bush at dawn or dusk so I accompanied them.” Hong continued, “At that time, all of us were in a good health, but sometimes we got sick and didn’t know why.”

After receiving the latrine and the Hygiene Training from Trailblazer, Hong said, "We found out that we were sick because we didn’t know how to clean our hands properly after defecation.” He continued, “After we received the latrine, my family no longer has to walk to the bushes. We feel more comfortable and safe to have the latrine at home. We save money on medicine because we are not sick.” Finally, Hong thanked Trailblazer for giving the latrine to his family along with the knowledge of good body hygiene.

Trailblazer wishes to thank all its supporters who have donated a latrine for a needy family. We hope you realize the improved sanitation and health you provided, as well as dignity. Thank you.

As an international development organization, Trailblazer's goal is to fulfill our mission in ways that become self-sustaining for the individuals and communities we serve. Through a participatory model of community-based development, where local villages and their residents identify their needs, we provide our village partners with the training and products they need in order to shift their lives from one of survival to one of sustainability.

Complementing our efforts to provide clean water technologies to our village partners through water filters, is our effort to also provide access to abundant water via the drilling of new wells. Without a well family members, typically women and children, are tasked with gathering water from sources long distances from their homes.

Depending on the proximity to each other of villagers who request a well, each well provides easily accessed water to one-to-three families [5-15 persons based on an average family size of 5]. With a well near their homes, these villagers gain easy and year-round access to a sufficient supply of water for their personal needs and agricultural pursuits.

To date, Trailblazer has completed the drilling of 109 wells. By the year-end, we expect to complete the other 14 wells that remain on the 2020 drilling schedule.

Without the consistent year-round support from donors like you, our efforts to raise rural Cambodian families out of poverty and into more sustainable livelihoods would come to an end. You play a direct and beneficial role in improving the health, food security, education, and economic development for rural communities.

We thank all our donors who have supported these efforts to provide access to water for rural families, giving them improved health and bringing them hope of a better life.