Improve Health with Clean Water in Rural Cambodia

I'd like to share a true story of two individuals and what they accomplished in support of bringing clean water and better health to hundreds of rural families.

Just over one year ago, Trailblazer was contacted by Dulcie Smith, the International Chair for Comox Valley Rotary Club on, Vancouver Island, Canada. She and her husband had volunteered for Trailblazer in 2007. She said, “I know the need is great in Cambodia and it's a part of the world we've never forgotten. We are both now retired and have joined our local Rotary Club. I have just been appointed as the District International Rep for Asia and we will be raising funds to support international projects.”

They were interested in WASH programs and wanted to support Trailblazer in this way. And so the conversation began and Dulcie went to work garnering support from other clubs and donors, making presentations and appeals. 

By December 2024 the Comox Valley Rotary Club had raised $20,000 to support Trailblazer’s Health program. Their funds were used to install 50 new bio-sand water filters and reinstall 197 bio-sand water filters. This is an incredible achievement and helped 247 families, which equates to a minimum of 1,235 villagers.

We send Dulcie and her husband, and the Comox Valley Rotary Club our deepest gratitude for the immense impact they have made with these rural families.

It is no surprise that children living in households with improved drinking water and better sanitation have a lower chance of contracting diarrhea. Trailblazer’s health program addresses these issues and offers the appropriate technologies rural families need to have: clean drinking water [bio-sand water filters], access to water [wells] and latrines, which help transform lives.

Since January, 364 families [totaling a conservative 1,820 people] have benefited from having a well, a filter or a latrine. You can be part of making a true impact too with your contribution to our health program. Thank you.