Simply put, that’s the problem faced by most of the schools I see in Cambodian Villages. Our partner, the Ponheary Ly Foundation (PLF), saw the same problems so they stepped up to the challenge. They installed clean drinking-water systems in four village primary schools.
Here’s PLF Director Lori Carlson telling the story.
At PLF, we know education does not happen in isolation. Clean water is a basic need that directly affects student health, attendance, and their ability to learn. In many rural parts of Cambodia, groundwater is contaminated with E. coli. Even when wells are drilled deep underground, safe drinking water is far from guaranteed.
So we got busy . . . raised a bit of money thanks to the SE Asia Foundation . . . and installed simple, effective, and sustainable water filtration systems at four rural schools. Pretty straightforward. Low tech.
Each morning water is pumped into an elevated holding tank. Then it’s gravity-fed down through ceramic filters that remove E. coli and other harmful contaminants. That filtered water is now available to students and teachers to drink throughout the school day, with some also available to be taken home to support families.
These systems are installed as either communal storage tanks or as stand-alone drinking points near classrooms and play areas. Either way, safe drinking water is reliably available where the students learn and gather.
These filters require fresh filter inserts annually to continue functioning properly and maintain everyone’s health. In between replacements, the students at each location clean the filters to extend their lifespans and learn more about safe hygienic practices.
I hope you’re getting the message here.
What you’re hearing from nearly 1000 kids at these schools
is a BIG thank you to YOU —
the generous donors that make our work possible.
Thank You
We’re really proud to partner with Lory and the entire Ponheary Ly Foundation team, working together to improve education and life opportunities for so many marginalized kids.
If you’re interested knowing about the work that our other Cambodian NGO partners are doing in service to those most in need, you can click here.
Life is good — at least for some of us it is.
Others need a bit of help.
Together we can provide exactly that.
At the SE Asia Foundation we do not simply “help” people
We Help People Help Themselves
That is our focus
That is our commitment
That is where our actions show up
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