Improve Health with Clean Water in Rural Cambodia

Due to the tremendous support Trailblazer received in 2019, we were able to install 574 bio-sand water filters to rural families, that is 159 more filters than our annual goal.

Bio-sand water filters are designed to service 15 people, so this number of water filters could potentially provide over 8,000 individuals with clean, safe drinking water. This is a notable figure of rural Cambodians whose health and lives will be greatly improved because they have a bio-sand water filter.

We could not do this great work, though, without the generous support of our donors. Trailblazer is privileged to have the continued support of our efforts, and to be able to help raise our Cambodian partners further out of poverty and into more sustainable livelihoods. You can continue this success with an $80USD donation to purchase a water filter. You can donate in your name, or that of someone you would like to recognize.

You may be curious how the bio-sand water filter works. The diagram below describes how the filter functions to remove bacteria, viruses and protect against dangerous waterborne illnesses. With every bio-sand water filter installation, Trailblazer staff train the recipient family about the proper use and maintenance of the filter, as well as basic hygiene and santitation practices, to ensure the project is lasting.

Trailblazer Foundation projects are designed to alleviate poverty and improve health conditions for rural villagers. Trailblazer prides itself on helping Cambodian villagers, and more broadly entire villages, move from survival to sustainability. Trailblazer knows that providing a latrine to each family that wants one is one of the first steps toward the sustainability of that family and its members.

According to the annual Cambodia Socioeconomic Survey conducted in 2014 by Asia Development Bank, the survey showed vulnerability to poverty had increased, and that urban povery may be rising. Many families moved only slightly above the poverty line, despite a dramatic decrease in income poverty since the mid-2000s.

In order to move out of poverty a family needs to be healthy enough to pursue their other basic needs:  food, education, and economic opportunities. One of the best ways to combat poverty and disease is to provide access to better sanitation conditions. Without a latrine, villagers are forced to defecate on the ground not far from their home.

Many villages that Trailblazer works with have made strides towards meeting their basic needs and are now seeking sanitation solutions to prevent the spread of illnesses. In 2019, we were fortunate to receive donations to be able to construct latrines for 43 families.

Trailblazer recently learned of the tremendous need for 3,848 latrines for villages in four of the twelve districts of Siem Reap province. The needs lists are as follows:

• Soutr Nikum district = 825 latrines
• Prasat Bakong district = 783 latrines
• Banteay Srey district = 716 latrines
• Pouk district = 1524 latrines 

This request for latrines represent 19,240 rural villagers who currently do not have an adequate sanitary place to toilet. This is a staggering number of villagers in jeopardy of contracting disease from exposure to unsanitary conditions. [This beneficiary total is calculated based on the fact that typically, one family uses each latrine and the average family size is five individuals].

Trailblazer Foundation’s program plan for 2020, is to work with and provide as many latrines as possible to families in these four identified districts of Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, dependent on the funding aquired. Latrines cost $175, but all levels of contribution add up to provide better health for those living in a less socioeconomic situation.

Latrines are one of our “tools” for advancing our Health program, which focuses on securing clean and abundant water, and improved sanitation and hygiene for our partner villagers. Trailblazer provides the cement rings, PVC piping, toilet tank and procelain bowl. Villagers contribute by building the walls and roof.

You can help address this huge need through your generous support. We are very thankful to our donors for their contributions, especially because we understand a latrine is not a “glamorous” gift to give. But, can you imagine for yourself what life would be like without one?