A Journey of Hope in Cambodia
eventually take part in solving. “Despite very challenging conditions, we’ve been so impressed with the resilience and graciousness of the people we’ve met,” said Jonathan Reckford. Meng Nat and her family warmly greeted their guests to their rented house. Thoun Visal, on the other hand, started his day early at the build site helping the skilled workers as he excitedly waited for the group to arrive.
Hope Journey team posing with home partners and HFH Cambodia staff
Every build offers a highlight to each participant. The recent Hope Journey in Cambodia affirms this notion. There are the two home partners – Meng Nat and Thoun Visal – who opened up their lives to the people who helped them build their own homes. There are also the participants, who were eager to understand a new culture and to appreciate resilience through the different people they met. There are those that organize the build, who witness how lives are touched in many ways, and there are also the community people, who instantly become an important part of the build, making the experience even more complete for all. Hope Journeys are unique travel experiences that provide participants an opportunity to help transform communities around the world. In addition to working alongside Habitat for Humanity partner families, the teams meet with community, government and busiIssu e 42 |
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ness leaders to gain a better understanding of the challenges of poverty and to witness firsthand how Habitat transforms lives. The Hope Journey team in Cambodia was composed of 12 members - Scot and Keely Sellers and their 3 children Ross, Kaitlyn and Alyssa, Joe and Christine Price, Winston Fisher, Andrew Joblon including Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International, who personally invited the participants, his son Alexander and Susan Yow, Tithes Director of HFHI. The team started their journey with a visit to historic places like the Killing Fields and informal settlements at the Stoeung Meancheay dumpsite and the house of one of the home partners, Meng Nat. This part of the trip sets their entire journey into perspective, allowing them to understand Cambodia’s tragic past and the prevailing problems that they could
The participants eagerly and devotedly started building. It is wonderful to note how families and individuals of such high stature would ensure that each of them worked very hard to carefully lay and point bricks to build walls, mix cement, install different parts, paint windows and doors, clean the site and also to get to know the home partners and the people from the community. During the three-day build, the participants also visited other Habitat home partners under its HIV OVC program and had a dialogue with partner NGO MaryKnoll to understand more about the program and how it holistically supports vulnerable families. The younger ones spent some quality time with the community kids making beaded accessories for them. It was obvious that getting to know and playing with the children were some of the best moments in their journey. At the dedication of the two homes, everyone gathered to celebrate with the families; they offered well-wishes, shared experiences, shared much laughter and tears, danced and sang and released birds and flowers to bless
the families with hopes for their better future. Everyone was high spirited and was touched by the dedication. It was difficult to say goodbye. “I have loved every Habitat dedication ceremony I’ve had the privilege of participating in, and this was the kind of afternoon that makes me want to work for Habitat forever,” said Jonathan. Hope Journey did not end here. After a day of building and celebration, the team hosted a dinner reception as Habitat ambassadors with partners from the government and private sector promoting Habitat Cambodia’s drive to strengthen and expand their partnership. Habitat Cambodia is thankful for how the participants helped engaged the guests to Habitat’s work. Next stop, the team also took some time together to visit the ancient wonder of Angkor Wat. After the sightseeing, the team went to the village of Trokiet in Angkor Chum district to join Habitat Cambodia in a Hand Washing and
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Hygiene promotion event in the village school, Kor Trokeat Primary School. Hope Journey team members walked in a parade with the school children as they encouraged villagers to practice proper hygiene and sanitation carrying posters which they designed and proclaiming their commitment to better practices in their homes and communities. In the school, children explained their concepts of healthy sanitation practices and learned more through hand washing and personal hygiene demonstrations that were performed by the participants. They joined the kids in practicing proper hand washing and also taught them how to clip their nails to keep their hands clean. The children were also motivated to share what they learned through a simple game where they answered questions and also presented their works of art to the younger kids. It was a fun-filled learning day for the children and a heart-warming one for the team. Before saying goodbye to the village, the team also visited Habitat home partners supported by its Water and Sanitation project and further learned how families’ productivity and livelihood are improved by having access
to simple water and sanitation facilities. “It has been an exceptional trip. I love introducing people to Habitat’s work, and the group has engaged with great energy and spirit. We have laughed and cried together, and everyone will have some great memories. When I asked team members what they would remember most, each responded that the highlight was the opportunity to build with and engage the partner families and community. I will always remember the warmth, gracious hospitality and extraordinary resilience of the families we got to know and look forward to the day I can return and visit them again,” says Jonathan Reckford in a blog that he kept to share his experiences in Cambodia. It is very clear how each of the family and community members and each participant touched each other’s lives in the short span of Hope Journey. Some may think that a build is just another build, but this is not true for Habitat builds, where every build has a special highlight. For the recent Hope Journey, every experience was created in humility.
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Highlights Battambang Project Progresses to the Next Level EHOPHHS Dissemination Workshop On 11 July, HFH Cambodia conducted the EHOPHHS Dissemination Workshop with four implementing partners, Khemara, Save the Children, Sharing Experience for Adapted Development and Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope, as well as home partner representatives. Soil filling at Battambang site
This one day workshop was conducted in order to review and disseminate the midterm review of EHOPHHS Program, to review its achievements, to assess the relevance of the project interventions to the needs of the beneficiaries, to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of implementation methods, and to measure the initial improvements and significant changes within the project. Ms. Pang Kim Soeun, the very first home partner of the project who continues to be an active member of the family selection committee, was one of the three home partner representatives. She shared, “I’m happy to be given a chance to join this workshop. I can see as well as understand the processess of the project, share my experience and my ideas to help the project grow.” It is through workshops like this that communities and families are able to provide significant inputs to the project which also promotes the project’s balance and transparency. EHOPHHS is currently on its second phase called Chab Pdoeum Chivit Thmey.
Has Phina and his wife in front of their future home
HFH Cambodia’s Strengthening Civil Society Government Partnership to Deliver Secure Land Tenure Project and its partners from the local authorities are now able to make an immense move of providing legal land plots to families in O-kchheay, 13 Makara, Chamkar Russei Villages, Prek Preah Sdach Commune, Battambang Province.
provided by the government. Through this project, our community was also provided with good infrastructures. We feel safer from natural disasters especially floods and we can easy access work, housing kits, form saving groups to support the communities. We were also taught about land rights, management and others.”
By this July, 115 out of the total 300 land plots have completed the land demarcation, in which 80 of the plots have finished soil filling. To support 50 other families in planning for the construction of their new houses, the project has provided them with 50 types of house designs. The families are now almost complete with their construction. Mr. Has Phina, the Community Representative and also a member of the savings group in O-Kcheay Community shared while watching his house construction, “I am now able to really build a decent house for my family on my own private and legal land plot
Since its start in 2008, Habitat Cambodia’s land advocacy project is indeed beginning to experience its outcomes of facilitating the government’s provision of secure land titles, of building safe, decent and affordable homes and in helping build stable lives along with its donor, World Bank.
Hand Washing for Hygiene Awareness
Questions and answer to improve the sanitation knowledge
Home partners representation, partners participated in the workshop
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HFHC also initiated the Basic Construction Training to thirteen skilled workers in Battambang to provide them the useful guidelines in building proficiency. Soon, the project site will be ready to host Global Village teams for house building and many more.
To increase the responsiveness of villagers to hygiene and sanitation, HFH Cambodia Community Organizers and WatSan Specialist worked together to run a three-day Hand Washing Campaign entitled “Clean Communities and Healthy Families” for
people living in the outskirts of Phnom Penh - Trapaing Anhchanh, Toul Rokar Kosh, Anlong Thmei communities from 18 to 20 July. A total of 300 villagers including local authorities and especially children received sanitation and hygiene education through role playing and hand washing demonstrations. The villagers also took the opportunity to clean-up and clear stagnant waters and garbage within their area. Through this exercise villagers are reminded that health is wealth and about their responsibility towards themselves and their respective communities.
Viva Volunteers Volunteers Viva Global Village Wrap Up June 27 to July 09: “RBAI Scouts” GV team from Northern Ireland built the house foundation and walls for one home partner in Trapaing Anhchanh Community, Phnom Penh. The 20 volunteers spent time together sightseeing and visiting different places around the city. They also visited some Habitat home partners to understand more about the housing loan and grant projects of HFH Cambodia. June 29 to July 13: Another Global Village volunteer team from Northern Ireland arranged a group of thirteen and built houses for families living in Trapaing Anhchanh Community, Phnom Penh. Team “Closed Hamilton,” as they call themselves, was able to complete one brick house and one wooden house. They were happy to have taken part in transforming the lives of 2 families they have grown to love in a short span of time. June 30 to July 06: A 17-member Global Village Volunteer team from Australia came to Cambodia to promote the Water and Sanitation project in Siem Reap by building one community rain water tank, and one latrine for Pram Domleng Primary School in Rokar Village, Angkor Chum district. Aside from community work, the team experienced and enjoyed their ox-cart ride! June 30 to July 07: A team from Korean consisted of 24 members joined HFH Cambodia in Pouk district, Siem Reap to repair two brick houses for 2 families. At the end of their build, the team was able to finish repairing the wall and latrine, building the kitchen and yard for both houses. During the dedication ceremony, the team also shared a glimpse of their culture to the local community by cooking Korean food during the dedication which they ate together with the home partners, some neighbors and the skilled workers. Issu e 42 |
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GLOBAL VILLAGE TEAMS
Shoveling crew
Building the foundation
Group shot during sightseeing
New buddies...
Heavy lifting under the sun
Well-wishes for their future
Carefully laying bricks
It’s ‘photo-o’clock’!
Almost there!
Official hard hats collector
Team signature pose...
“It’s cooler up here!”
The paint job is looking good!
Checking another view...
Chum reap su!
Volunteers’ Voice July 02 to 11: A 17-member Global Villager team from Konkuk University, Korea completed two brick houses in Ang Snoul District, Kandal Province. Aside from the build work, the team took the opportunity ddo some sightseeing and sang, danced, and played games with many kids. After an emotional dedication, the Korean brightened up the occasion with more songs and dances. July 08 to 13: Australian GV formed a team of twenty to build two brick houses in Vimean Trong Community, Phnom Penh. Towards the end, the team from Scotch College was able to complete the house foundation and some parts of the wall. After sharing their wonderful experience during the at the dedication ceremony, the volunteer team also invited home partners and skilled workers to join them for lunch.
The day of celebration
Trying a new transportation method
Mixing mixing!
Peace!
Fun time with community kids
If you would like to make a difference and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Cambodia as a Global Village volunteer, visit this site for more information: http://www.habitat.org/gv/
Riding Romok (Khmer transportation)
yum
Ironing group
Smile
Concertate on work
Time to mix
Started the fist layer
Hard working
Getting high
Khmer traditional welcome (som peas)
Sharing experience during the dedication
Cutting the red ribbon
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Khmer Harvest Build Oudong Farm Update
Ek Srey Hak takes a short break from farm work
Feeding time!
“Raising chicken is not hard if you understand its process clearly,” confidently shared by Ms. Srey Hak as we sat and appreciated the view of the whole farm during lunch time.
sell to the people from the communities and the local markets. The selling price depends on the season and demand, and it can range from $2.4 to $3.1 per kilogram.
The shed presents a good view of the entire farm
After 15 days, 70 per cent of the chicks will be transferred to the big shed, to give them space to grow. During the next 45 days, the chickens no longer need the steady heat, but they keep the light on every night to ensure that the chickens are safe. Various kinds of vaccines are also provided to prevent the chicken from getting sick. After 60 days, the chicken are ready to sell.
According to her, there are two main steps to Ek Srey Hak is a HFH Cambodia home part- chicken-raising. For the first 15 days, all the ner who works at the farm for more than a chicks will be kept in one small shed where year now. they will be provided steady temperature (between 25 to 28 °C) The flame from the gas In Srey Hak’s explanation, for the type of power, a new technology they were provided, The Khmer Harvest Build Farm is currently chicken they are raising now at the farm, it is being used to keep the heat constant. The raising 2,000 chicken and is expected to be takes two months to raise and reach about chicks are fed twice in a day and given water sold by this August or early September. 1.2 to 1.3 kilograms before they are able to five to six times every one to four hours.
Eunice Olsen and friends support Squat with Dignity in Oudong ment and practices. Mr. Oy Bunthu, Mobile Clinic nurse of Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope (SHCH) shared during the event that “I am confident that starting this month, the cases of diarrhea within this community will This toilet project is aimed to restore the dig- significantly decrease, since every family can nity and pride of the needy families living now access their own clean latrine and wain the Blue Tent community (Tang Kiev vil- ter.” lage), who were displaced from the city and The celebration of the completion of the relocated to Oudong. project was joined by local authorities, HFH With their own toilets, the people will now Cambodia, which provided technical supface better health conditions and be able to port to the project, Sihanouk Hospital the save the money they used to spend for medi- Center of Hope, Eunice Olsen the project cine when a member of the family gets ill due funder, and the community people. to the unsanitary and unhygienic environThe installation of 100 toilets in Oudong was completed and handed over to 100 families living in Blue Tent community on July 6 after a month of its launch.
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The hand over of new 100 toilets built at Tang Kiev Community
Special Feature Habitat for Humanity Cambodia wishes to share this poem written by Ross Sellers during his Hope Journey experience, which thoroughly represents the many reasons ‘why we build’. Thank you Ross for sharing your experience.
Cambodia Building June 29, 2012
Time slows as you put the shovel back into the freshly mixed cement, one bead of sweat gathers at the base of your chin, ready for the plunge, the free fall, no one hears it land. Your eyes begin to search for what is needed, maybe water, maybe some sense of attachment to what you think you’re missing, but that’s the best part. Contact with home depleted, lazy life non-existent, and free form expression at its peak. You continue to look around, slowly observing the conditions of lost treasures and pure human condition. Children run and smile, laughing at the serenity of life; parents and relatives attempt to keep them in line, trying to tame the child spirit which knows no bounds. Families strong held, even with the grip of disease bidding high hopes of methodically ripping the strands of rope apart one by one. Tortuous departure from known existence, loss is always sad, but it’s more prevalent here, and you’re sitting there and watching as it comes through like the clouds that gather above. Only these clouds do not offer cleansing rain, rather they take life before it had a chance to live, to feel, to see, and you ask, is this fair? Such a question breaks foundation, and only has a place in the minds of those watching the one they love pass. It has no business being released from mouths with cracked lips, dissipating into air, becoming breath for another, infecting their strength, and resolve; no, these people must stay strong, such words are not meant to be spoken. Strength they have, compassion they feel, gratitude treads its course, and love they offer, they do not speak your language, but they do know the matters of the soul. When those children, or parents, or members of extended family look into your eyes, they are staring into what makes you become the man or woman you are. Even if you don’t know who that person is, or if you’re not sure what’s becoming of the person you were, in that moment, that lapse of time that slows down, you feel understood, understood by someone who has never met you. Clarity wraps arms around you, happiness looks you in the eye, and humility becomes evident. It’s one instant, then you put the gloves back on, grab you’re shovel again and start turning over cement, because that’s the foundation to the house that will become the haven for a family that needs it more than you could possibly imagine.
Ross Sellers
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Special Feature Upcoming Events and Tao Srey Ly - a Youth Leader During the Hope Journey Hygiene Event, one student leader caught our attention. Her name is Tao Srey Ly, a 13 year-old, grade 6 student of Kor Trokeat Primary School. Srey Ly enthusiastically headed fellow students during the campaign parade and confidently expressed her compassion when she presented their campaign poster to the entire school and the Hope Journey participants. Srey Ly was an effective young teacher. In our chat with her, she told us how happy she was when she was elected as part of the student council and how she was doubly inspired to study harder and help others when she became a leader. “I was motivated, I wanted so much to help other children by being a good example and I am happy that I am able to communicate well with them,” she said. She dreams of learning to speak English, complete her studies and work as a translator to help her parents in sending her brothers to school. Srey Ly is the eldest among three siblings; her two brothers are 12 and 3 years old. Her parents produce chairs made of cement, and through their hard work, she happily shared to us that her family was able to save and will be building their own toilet soon with the help of Habitat for Humanity. She told us how excited she was for it because once they have a toilet they will not be scared of walking far from their house, they will be healthier and she will be able to practice fully what she and the school children have been teaching their community. It is always inspiring to see children like Srey Ly who at her young age is able to use her Godgiven gifts sensibly to help others.
Legal Holidays 20 July – 04 August Global Village Team from Canada in Siem Reap
24 – 17 July HFHC attends Housing and Human Settlements Course in the Philippines 23 – 27 July HFH Australia and New Zealand Visit HFHC Projects
23 – 30 July Global Village Team Site Visit - Takeo, Siem Reap and Battambang
30 July HFHC Meeeting with Torneakea Pum Cambodia
03 – 11 August HFHC Joins Rebuilding Project in Sri Langka
18 – 25 August HFHC Country Director Attends Donor Fellowship Meeting in United States
Children encouraging villager to commit to good hygiene
Srey Ly in action
New Faces
Please contact Sovann at pich_sovann@habitatcambodia.org
Please join HFH Cambodia in welcoming Pich Sovann our newest Project Officer for Takeo Proejct. Sovann brings with him over 10 years of experience working with local and international NGOs on community development and livelihood. Issu e 42 |
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Please contact Nith at sok_nith@habitatcambodia. org
Welcome Sok Nith who joins our Siem Reap Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion project as the Project Officer. Nith brings with him 14 years of experience working with government, local and international NGOs.
Or Kun! Habitat for Humanity Cambodia says thank you to our corporate and international partners and our affiliate tithe donors. Together, we will continue improving lives and building communities in Cambodia. A F F I L I AT E D O N O R S : Habitat for Humanity GREATER LOS ANGELES
Habitat for Humanity AUSTRALIA
Habitat for Humanity GREATER LOWELL
Habitat for Humanity GREAT BRITAIN
Habitat for Humanity GREATER BOSTON
Habitat for Humanity NEW ZEALAND
Habitat for Humanity EAGLE & LAKE COUNTIES Habitat for Humanity INLAND VALLEY Habitat for Humanity DESERT FOOTHILLS Habitat for Humanity NORTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY Habitat for Humanity DOUGLAS COUNTY Habitat for Humanity METRO DENVER Habitat for Humanity METRO WEST / GREATER WORCESTER Habitat for Humanity WEST HAWAII Habitat for Humanity OAKLAND COUNTY, MI WEST PASCO Habitat for Humanity ST. JOSEPH Habitat for Humanity, MO Habitat for Humanity GREATER BIRMINGHAM Habitat for Humanity GUAM Daimler Financial Services, GERMANY Habitat for Humanity CINCINNATI Habitat for Humanity of EAST KING COUNTY
I N T E R N AT I O N A L PA R T N E R S :
Habitat for Humanity CANADA SAN GABRIEL VALLEY Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity MALAYSIA UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURG Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity of ST VRAIN VALLEY WESTMINSTER COLLEGE Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity GERMANY HONOLULU Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity SEATTLE / SOUTH KING COUNTY CENTRAL DELAWARE Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity ANCHORAGE SAN DIEGO Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity International - USA Global Village Volunteers Habitat for Humanity CHINA (Hong Kong) Habitat for Humanity NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA Habitat for Humanity HARDIN COUNTY, Inc. The Charitable Foundation, Elton John AIDS Foundation, International Children’s Care Australia, World Bank, Japan Social Development Fund, Asian Development Bank, Paul and Aileen Munn and World Vision Cambodia
L O C A L PA R T N E R S :
Khemara, Maryknoll, Sharing Experience for Adapted Experience, Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope
C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R S :
ANZ Royal Bank, Khmer Solar, Davies Paints Philippines, Hotel Cambodiana, Korea Cadastral Survey Corporation, BUNGE
U N I V E R S I T I E S A N D S C H O O L PA R N T E R S :
Pannasastra University of Cambodia, Norton University, Build Bright University, Royal University School of Social Work, Logos International School, Northbridge International School, University of Cambodia, Collaborative Studio
Join HFH Cambodia’s Social Media Network! Become a Fan or join our Cause on Facebook http://www.causes.com/causes/260473-habitat-for-humanity-cambodia Follow Habitat Cambodia Tweets http://twitter.com/#!/HabitatCambodia Visit our website http://www.habitatcambodia.org HFH Cambodia address: #35Bis, St. 478, Phsar Duem Tkov Commune, Chamkar Mon District, Phnom Penh City, P.O Box: 2452 Phnom Penh 3 Tel/Fax: (855) 23 997 840 E-mail: info@habitatcambodia.org