Closing Ceremonies at Battambang SLC site
- cross roads, drainage system, and two community centers – were inaugurated. A further outcome of the project is the 41 additional plots that government has allocated to the project, which HFH Cambodia will develop with best practice and the lessons that it has learned in implementing social land concession in urban areas.
Government and civil society partners pose in front of the community center that was inaugurated at the closing ceremony.
June 13, 2013 marked the closing of the World Bank funded project in Battambang entitled Strengthening Civil Society-Government Partnership to Deliver Land Tenure Security. A closing ceremony was organized by Habitat for Humanity Cambodia, which was held in Ponleur Sontepheab Community Center, Chamkar Russie Village, Sangkat Prek Preah Sdach, Battambang City.
tor shared the project’s accomplishments, “5 years ago, we started an ambitious project to allocate land, to build community centers and to improve roads and drainage to serve over 300 families, while we also built each others capacity in implementing Social Land Concession in urban areas. The Municipal Technical Working group and the community leaders’ efforts were full of challenges, but they all led to victories as well. I feel very much honored to share with you our humble achievements for the project where 137 out of 256 families have been allocated with secure land. A total of 4 out of 8 cross roads have been built, 368 km out of 730 km drainage systems have been built and improved, 2 out of 3 community centers built, 39 families received electricity connections and 110 housing kits were distributed to families.” The project was extended for 2 years from 13 June 2011 to 13 June 2013 making the three-year implementation last for 5 years.
The closing ceremony was attended by over 100 participants including H.E. Dr. Sareth Boramy, Director of LASED Project , Mr. Oeurm Sokhon Battambang Municipality Governor, Battambanng Muncipality Technical Working Group members, Mr. Tor Hon Prek Preahsdach Sangkat chief, three Village chiefs, Ms. Sok Kinna, Head of Battambang Cadastral Office, Saving Networks in Battambang, Project beneficiaries, religious representatives, and NGO partners such as GIZ, Cambodia Volunteer for Society, Community Management Development Partner, Community Empowerment Development Team , CBIRD, including project service providers.
HFH Cambodia representatives also took the opportunity to thank the Battambang provincial government, through the leadership of H.E. Prak Chan, for their untiring support to the conversion of the garden area land from state public to state private land that allowed the project to distribute secure land to landless families. Habitat Cambodia thanked H.E. Dr. Boramy, the Deputy Municipal Governor Sieng Em Wounzy and H.E. Uy Ri, the Deputy provincial governor, HE Pra Oum, MTWG, PLUAC for their hard work, planning, coordination and support In her speech during the program, Bernadette It was also through this project closing ceremo- towards the commune and village leaders who Bolo-Duthy, HFH Cambodia Country Direc- ny where the entire completed infrastructure have been with the project since day one. The closing ceremony was conducted to announce the project end amongst its stakeholders. It also allowed the project to publicly delegate the continuance of the infrastructure improvement to the local authorities and project beneficiaries, and most importantly celebrate the strengthened partnerships that learnt to recognize that the urban low-income families in the city and the government can overcome difficulties even in very challenging projects such as this.
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Highlights Evaluation Findings of Housing Programs with PLWHA Service Providers Held to Be Shared Soon
Initiated since 2009, the project Enhancing HIV/Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programme with Holistic Housing Solutions (EHOPHHS) and its extension Chab Pdeum Chivit Thmey (CCT) reached the final evaluations, conducted on June 19 to 30. The three-year project that launched Habitat Cambodia’s housing project for people infected by HIV/Aids and children and youth orphaned because of HIV/Aids have reached a final stage. During the evaluation, 64 families were randomly selected and invited for the group discussions and interviews in Phnom Penh, peri-Phnom Penh, Kandal, Kompong Speu and Prey Veng. The activity aimed to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the project implementation and to capture initial outcomes that the project has contributed to the target beneficiaries. It also allowed the documented of good practices, lessons learned and recommendations for further implementation of the project. The partnership with four organizations that specialize in serving PLWHA and OVC through the two projects were able to support 476 of HIV/AIDS and OVC families with adequate housing, livelihood, Water and Sanitation in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Kompong Speu and Prey Veng. The evaluation was a collaboration between HFH Great Britain and INTRAC, an external consultant, with the support of HFH Cambodia. Findings of the evaluation be shared in a stakeholders’ workshop to be held later this year. Issu e 52 |
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MFI and Habitat Partner Provide Clients with Better Housing Services
A two-day training on Construction Technical Assistance (CTA) was conducted by Habitat for Humanity Asia Pacific in Phnom Penh Hotel on May 28 to 29. 25 Credit Specialists from Thaneakea Phum Cambodia (TPC) participated in all the training sessions that focused on housing standards, risk mitigation on housing, definition of CTA and its good practice as well as basic house components and cost estimation. “This is a very useful training for the Credit
Specialists. After the course, the Credit Specialist will be able to apply the procedures, tools, forms and concepts of CTA as established in the CTA Manual. They can now clearly issue basic designs, budget estimations as they offer better value home improvement products for their clients,” said Vong Chim Vannak, Housing Finance Manager of HFH Cambodia. One participant Credit Specialist, Mr. Ngan Seng Hak, Credit Officer of TPC said, “This is the very first time our team participated in this class. We have learned many new things related to providing housing products, which are very important to our home improvement packages. Through the new knowledge we learned, we will also be able to reach more families and make our home improvement packages accessible to them.”
PLWHA Families Trained for Alternative Income and Basic Management learner-centered approach, specifically participatory training methodologies such as brainstorming, plenary presentation visualization tool and, reflection, with the use of icebreakers.
Following the needs assessment, training sessions were conducted to 66 families in Phnom Penh and Kandal Province from 24 to 30 May in cooperation with International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR). Several livelihood and financial management topics were provided to the trainees during the sessions including proper methods of chicken raising, the process of making fermented beans and home production of dishwashing soap. The financial management courses included basic household budget planning as well as cash management. The courses were conducted by using a
“These trainings were perceived to be very useful since we have responded to the needs of the participants. Plus, we received lots of positive responses from the learners as they found the newly acquired knowledge easy to apply and useful to their lives,” said Chim Samon, Project Officer of Building Homes Building Positive Lives. A trainee, Leap Chanthoeun from Trapaing Krosaing, Phnom Penh, shared her thoughts right after the courses, “I learned many things from this training. We were put into actual situations and given demonstrations as we discussed amongst our groups. After this training, I believe I can apply my new knowledge in having a home-based business and be able to plan budgets properly. I will also be able to share all that I learned with other families in my village.”
Viva Volunteers Global Village Wrap Up June 09 to 14: A group of Global Village volunteers from Singapore, called Polytechnic, had 11 members. They were inspired to support the Water and Sanitation program in Angkor Chum, Siem Reap in Cambodian despite the distance and time it took them to travel to the build site everyday. The team understood that families living in the rural Siem Reap greatly needed their help. The hard working team managed to complete two latrines for Cha Chuk Health Center. At the end of the build day, the Director and staff from the health center, skilled workers, local authorities and some villagers joined the team in dedicating their accomplishments. The celebration would not be complete without lots of singing and dancing.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Cambodia. Be part of a Global Village volunteer team. Visit this site for more information: http://www.habitat.org/gv/
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Global Village Teams
Mekong Big Build Dream to Save
The surroundings and the air they breathe are very dirty and contaminated with the pollution from the dump around them. The dumpsite has no proper drainage system and the villagers experience flooding during the rainy season. “The small streets would literally be filled with dirty flood water,” Sopha added. The rainwater would flow down from the top of the tall hill of garbage and carries with it harmful waste. What is worse, because of the small land plot that more than 60 families in the area share rental plots not have space for toilets and rental houses simply do not have toilets, families share the use of 4 communal toilets that were built by PSE. Open defecation is still a very common thing.
“I’m grateful that my children are able to go to school through the support of PSE, however, I always hoped that someday my kids would be fortunate enough to be able to live in a secure and clean house with enough space for sleeping and fresh air to breath,” said Mr. Sok Von, 30, a scavenger and a father of four children, Oay Thavy-11, Oay Raksmey-9, Oay Thavid-7 and Oay Thavin-3. Sok Van’s family lives in Reoussey Village situated about 3 kilometers from the main road in Steung Meanchey Dumpsite. He, together with his wife Choum Sopha, 28, and their four children share a 4m by 5m stilt house, which they use for eating, sleeping and for their school work and home-based work. Their shelter is the combination of different scrap materials including a zinc roof with many holes, old and rotten wooden frames and stilts, while pieces of plywood and tent scraps are used as the wall and scraps of wood act as their floor. Von built his house together and pays rent for the land, which now costs $20 per month. “The rental price has been increasing because the landlord wants us to move out of the land plot, but we simply don’t have a place to go,” said Sopha. Sok Von works hard to support his famIssu e 52 |
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ily, especially their children. “We love them dearly. I’m very happy that they are able to go to school for free. It helps us a lot with our expenses for the rent and daily needs. I want to make sure that my family eats everyday.” As a rubbish collector, Von can earn around $5 to t$7.5 per day, while Sopha is able to make $2 to $2.5 in a day. With a very small amount of income, Sopha is quite smart in managing their expenses. Despite the fees for rent and utilities, she tries to save some amount for their emergency needs like medicine. The rest she would spend on food. With their very limited resources, from Sok Von’s scavenging and from her sewing jute sack at home, Sopha always makes sure that their spending wisely, she also makes sure that their children get the enough nutrition they need. “I carefully manage our resources when buying food for the children making sure that we have vegetables daily. I would also sometimes buy little amount of fish and meats. I really want my children to have enough to eat to be strong, but somehow, no matter how much we try to watch over our children’s health, our environment simply threatens it all the time.” Sopha said.
“Over the years, we would approach the private clinic nearby when we get seriously ill, mostly in our stomachs. And when the sickness is still bearable, we would buy medicine instead. It is the cheaper way. Since getting sick is common, we would usually spend around $20 in a month on medicines and clinic service, which is why I make sure that we have set this amount aside every month. If only we can keep away from illness, then we can start to save for our children’s future and for our own home. I am excited to be able to do so when we begin to stay in the temporary living space near where my children study” said Sopha. Sok Vorn and his family are one among the 270 families of the Smile Village Project - a partnership between PSE and HFH Cambodia. This November, 350 international volunteers will join to build houses with Sok Vorn and other families for five days. The project allows families to move from the Steung Meanchey dumpsite to live in the Smile Village where Hope and Happiness await. “I am very happy to know that my family will soon be able to move to a secure and clean community with a better house condition. I am sure that this opportunity will allow us to save better and dream bigger,” continued Sopha.
Special Feature The Future of Sustainable Low-Income Housing
Upcoming Events and
The Future of Sustainable Housing in Cambodia, the very first design exhibition on housing for the low-income was held from 16 to 22 May in Meta-House, Cambodia.
Legal Holidays
Participations from various organizations including non-profit, private construction firms, architecture and design professionals, micro-finance sectors along with schools and universities and members of the municipality were invited to attend the event. The exhibition focused its attention on low-cost housing within Cambodia with the aim of improving the lives of the low-income families by providing adequate, fit for purpose housing. The exhibition was also a way of engaging with people from different backgrounds whilst showcasing real solutions that benefit low-income groups in a sustainable and structured way.
28 – 29 June
Habitat for Humanity Cambodia is one among the three NGOs, including Building Trust International and Karuna Cambodia, that joined forces on the competition and in bringing to life housing designs for low-income families living in Cambodia. “This exhibition is a huge success. Not only did we raise the profile of the core issues of the housing crisis in Cambodia, it has also encouraged more young professionals and students to get involved with HFH Cambodia’s vision of supporting Cambodian families in need of adequate housing,” said Bernadette Bolo-Duthy, Country Director of HFH Cambodia. “The Future of Sustainable Housing Exhibition in Cambodia has been a fantastic example of what can be achieved through engaging local people with national issues. Rapid urbanization and growth are bringing new found optimism to Cambodia and there is a real chance to shape a future that can be beneficial for all Cambodians whilst also respecting the country’s rich natural resources and environment. We hope that by encouraging new design ideas and respecting traditional techniques, the current generation can pave the way for other generations to come,” added David Cole, Director, Building Trust International. Due to the huge success of the event, there will be an intention to bring the exhibition back for the “Our City Festival” with a focus on the delivery of the winning projects showing how they were delivered and what impact they have made to the families involved.
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Construction Technical Assistance in Phnom Penh
30 June– 07 July Global Village Team from Australia in Phnom Penh
01 – 10 July Global Village Team from Korea in Battambang
04 – 12 July Global Village Team from Australia in Phnom Penh
05 – 14 July Global Village Team from USA in Siem Reap
07 – 14 July 2nd Hope Journey in Siem Reap
15 July – 02 Agust External Auditor Fieldwork at HFH Cambodia
22 – 26 July HFH Cambodia Strategic Planning and Annual Staff Planning
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 SEATTLE-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-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, World Bank, International Children’s Care Australia, Japan Social Development Fund, Asian Development Bank, Paul and Aileen Munn, World Vision Cambodia, BTI, Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission, and Building Trust International
L O C A L PA R T N E R S :
Khemara, Maryknoll, Sharing Experience for Adapted Experience, Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope, Save the Children, Collaborative Studio
C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R S :
ANZ Royal Bank, Hotel Cambodiana, Korea Cadastral Survey Corporation, BUNGE, SC Johnson, Korea Securities Depository, Cambodian Business Integrated in Rural Development Organization, Hang Meas, Freshy Juice, Tous le Jours, RGB
U N I V E R S I T I E S A N D S C H OO L P A R T N E R S :
Pannasastra University of Cambodia, Royal University Phnom Penh, University of Cambodia, Bridgeton School, Northbridge International School, Mekong University, Fulbright and Undergraduate State Alumni Association of Cambodia, Tayama Business School, International and Foreign Language, Mekong University, University of Health and Science, Sovanna Phumi School, Logos International school, Build Bright University
Join HFH Cambodia’s Social Media Network! Become a Fan on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/habitat.for.humanity.cambodia Follow Habitat Cambodia Tweets https://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