Improve Health with Clean Water in Rural Cambodia

At Trailblazer Foundation, we have a history of showing up for the communities in rural Cambodians, whether that’s advancing children’s education, providing essential products and services, or delivering hope and opportunity through the critical resource of clean water.

For more than 20 years, Trailblazer has been transforming lives and making a positive difference for children and families in rural Cambodia by delivering clean water, improved sanitation, health, education, and economic opportunity to families who need it most.

Launched in 2006, our Health program started with a vision to install bio-sand water filters to provide safe drinking water for underserved children and families. The Health Program’s focus has since grown to include enhancing hygiene to help reduce water-borne disease transmission, improving household level hygiene by developing essential tools: wells, bio-sand filters, and latrines. Alongside these essential tools, the local people are trained on effective use and maintenance of these systems, creating long-term success.

The impact of our work is reflected in lives touched and means provided. We learned one of the easiest ways to combat poverty and disease is to provide access to clean water sources. Bio-sand water filters ensure water from any water source is potable, immediately reducing the impact of water borne diseases. They alleviate the human suffering of sickness, death, lost employment, and the hardship of losing loved ones as a result of drinking contaminated water. Women spend less time caring for the sick and as a result have more time to pursue economic sustainability through small business or gardening. Children have more time and energy for education.

One of our bio-sand water filter recipients, Mr. Su, lives in Chhrey village, Kchas commune, Soutr Nikhom district along with the eight members of his family. They received their bio-sand water filter a year ago from Trailblazer and use it two to four times per day.

The water is used for drinking, cooking, washing vegetable, and washing dishes. They are very satisfied with the bio-sand water filter and report that it is very easy to use, does not require boiling which saves money, and requires little maintenance. The water quality is much better, looks cleaner, smells fresh, and is safer for drinking and cooking whereby protection of his family’s health.

He reports his family feels healthier because of drinking clean water every day. They understand the importance of the filtered water knowing it reduces water-related diseases, as well as saves them money that would otherwise be spent on buying bottled water or medicine.

Through supporting Trailblazer’s targeted project of providing bio-sand water filters you can create a tangible, lasting legacy, and transform the life of a community through one impact at a time, family by family. Please give now and give the gift that keeps on giving.