First Habitat Youth Build in Cambodia, a Big Success
Post-build photo of some of the participants’ gesturing “YES” to adequate housing, Habitat Youth Build Cambodia 2013
More than 600 youth volunteers ranging from famous celebrities, NGOs, corporations, schools, from both local and international communities joined together to support the community work in Prey Veng Village, Kom Reang district, Phnom for the success of Habitat Cambodia’s first ever Habitat Youth Build Program. Volunteers built the sewage system, fixed the road and planted trees for the Smile Village project on April 27, 2013. HFH Cambodia received support from famous singer and endorser Ms. Aok SokunKanha who’s popularly regarded in Cambodia as the Star of Hope for the many social development support she extends to worthy causes such as the Habiat Youth Build. The returning Mr. Chhorn Sovannareach, another popular singer who supported the first Mekong Big Build in Cambodia said, “It is not my first time to join
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HFH Cambodia. I was once involved in a volunteer project in 2009, and it was a great experience. Over the years, I can now see a huge, positive change in Cambodian youth! They are now more socially active and they extend heartfelt help and contribution. The volunteers today are amazingly energetic and very eager to work. I am very excited for the next project that I will surely support.”
said in a message that she shared amongst the volunteers during the opening where she also thoroughly talked about housing issues in Cambodia and the need to work together to help in any way possible to serve more families with adequate housing. Except for a few, majority of the participants were first time builders. The heat and the workload did challenge many but everyone was motivated. There was an overwhelming amount of excitement and youthful spirit throughout the day. Breaks provided an avenue for everyone to enjoy each other’s company through great music and dancing. Volunteers and supporters also expressed their hopes for a better Cambodia and sealed their Commitments in serving their fellow Cambodians in the commitment wall.
“This is such a touching project for me and for the rest of the volunteers in Cambodia, and I’m so proud to be a part to help my community, I’m also pleasantly surprised that many Cambodian youth have come together. This is my first time to get involved in a project where I am able to really interact with the families that we are helping and with my fellow volunteers, but I am certain it will not be my last. Sooner, this place will turn into a real community,” Ms. Aok Sokhunkanha Chout Kiriadarasy a student from Pannassastra
University in Cambodia shared about his experience, “I am glad that I am a part of this event. It is my first time to get involved in a build and in a very important project for our community. I had fun while working and met a lot of new friends. I will definitely join once again for the next year and my friends and I are looking forward to launching small fundraising projects in order for us to join the Fundraising Challenge.” Habitat for Humanity Cambodia launched the Fundraising Challenge to promote year-round continuation of the youth activities in Cambodia. The challenge encourages the youth par-
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ticipants to launch fundraising efforts in order un Sourier l’Enfants and Habitat for Humanity to raise windows, doors and various implements Cambodia. that will be contributed to the housing development for the Smile Village. This is the second Habitat Youth Build in Asia with 8 different countries including China, InHFH Cambodia will continue to raise aware- dia, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, Philippines, Thainess on the need to say ‘NO’ to inadequate hous- land and Cambodia engaging youth in various ing amongst and through the 2013 HYB par- advocacy and building activities. The nearly ticipants. The Habitat Youth Build was the first 14,000 young volunteers built homes in seven building activity that was held in the 2-hectare Asian countries, signaling their commitment village, which will house 290 low-income fami- to tackling the poverty-housing situation in the lies living in and around the Stoeng Meachchey region. The harmonized event set a record for dumpsite to have a decent place to live. Smile Habitat for Humanity for its largest ever youth Village Project is a partnership between Pour volunteer build event in Asia.
Highlights HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Training 532 Community Members Receive PHAST and Hygiene training
A four-day Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) and Hygiene training was conducted from 8 to 12 April in four communes - Cha Chhouk, Ta Soam, Kouk Doung and Norkor Pheas in Angkor Chum district, Siem Reap. The 532 villagers comprising of men, women and children attended the classes. The training was meant to educate the community members about the significance of using clean water and proper toilets, the types of illness that could be contracted through the use of unclean water and how to prevent them, and to also encourage behavior change to lead to sustained improvement in sanitation through the PHAST methods. The participants actively joined the group discussions, Q&A and group presentations showing the proper use of Water and Sanitation facilities. Facilitators used pictures and illustrations for better understanding amongst the participants. 13 years old Chan Chakriya, a 6 grader shared, “I like being involved in this hygiene class. Teachers explained very clearly about how important hygiene is in our daily living. I was able to understand better because of the pictures they used. I will share what I have learned with my family so I can help teach and remind them to use clean water and toilet always”
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After the training, villagers were expected to have improved knowledge on how to prevent other family members from being infected by HIV/AIDS, and how to continually look after their health properly within their homes and within their community.
17 PLWHA home partners from one of Habitat Cambodia’s Shelter-based projects enhancing HIV-OVC programs called Building Homes, Building Positive Lives participated in a one-day training focused on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care facilitated by HFH Cambodia Community Organizer in Trapaing Anhchanh Community, Phnom Penh.
“Even if many Cambodians know about HIV, some people especially those who are affected or living with an infected family member, still have limited knowledge about the disease. I noticed that the participants asked many questions, which I know will really help them and their family in better managing the effects of HIV/AiDS ” said Phoung Roda, Community Organizer of HFH Cambodia.
May Cultural Celebrations: Visak Bochea, Royal Plowing Day
Visak Bochea or Buddhist day is one among the other important holidays in Cambodia that marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Sedetha Goutama. Traditionally, Visak Bochea always falls on the 15th day of the waxing moon in the 6th lunar month, and usually falls in May. On that day, Cambodians, especially seniors, usually visit temples in the early morning to offer food and sweets to the monks and listen to them preach. In some families, the sons would take this opportunity to commence their devotion to monkhood for a certain period of time in gratitude to their parents who gave birth to them here on earth. The Royal Plowing Day is another traditional ceremony practiced since the early Khmer era. This ceremony is a welcoming sign to
the growing season as well as to predict the harvest products they will receive within the year. The ceremony is always held right in front of the National Museum on the land plot called “Veal Man”. The plowing starts in the morning time and usually led by highranking officials. After three rounds of plowing, a small herd of ox is led to seven trays that contain rice, beans, corn, grass, sesame, alcohol and water. Then, the chief astrologist presents the fate of Cambodian harvest based on what the ox chose to eat. The plowing ceremony encourages the farmers in Cambodia with better harvests, and through this ceremony, Cambodians prepare to pick crops based on the predictions for the year.
Viva Volunteers Global Village Wrap Up March 23 to 31: A big group of 23 international students from International Secondary School Japan formed a Global Village team. During the 3 weeks of hard work, the team was able to complete the construction of one brick house and a wooden house located in Trapaing Anhchanh community, Phnom Penh. The team also took the opportunity for the sightseeing tour around Phnom Penh city such as Toul Tom Pong Market, Genocide Museum and Royal Palace. On the celebration day, the team invited skilled workers and home partners for lunch and finished with fun dancing. March 23 to April 05: An eleven-member team, called Close Friend from Australia, came together to build houses for two families living in Bati District, Takeo Province. Two brick houses were completed on their 2-week build. During the weekend, Close Friend team spared their available time to visit the Zoo in Tamao Mountain, and saw different kinds of Cambodian animals. With joy and appreciation for their accomplishment, the team, skilled workers and home partners celebrated with lots of singing and dancing on their farewell dinner within the calm and peaceful surroundings of Takeo. April 27 to May 06: Volunteer builders from Japan assembled their own team to complete the foundation, some parts of the house walls for two brick houses. They also enjoyed a city tour, a special visit at the Krang Thnong Primary School and Japanese school where they played games and shared their culture with the Cambodian children. The Japanese team was comprised of 15 volunteers. April 29 to May 04: A Global Village Volunteer team from Telstra Company, the biggest Telecommunication company in Australia formed a team of 19 members and moved together to support families in Takmao Distict, Kandal Province, Cambodia. Over the week of solid building, the team was able to complete one wooden house and another wooden house’s columns and core structure were finished. On the last building day, the team was invited by Issu e 51 |
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Global Village Teams
Volunteers’ Voice
the home partners, villagers and skilled workers to dance with and sing Cambodian songs. The Australian team in returned invited them for a farewell lunch. The Telstra team’s build was part of their company’s HR program intended to reward their model employees. May 19 to 25: Another group of Global Village volunteers from Australia gave a hand to work with HFH Cambodia in Kandal Province. The team consisted of 10 members who together completed one wooden house. The team took the chance to visit some significant places in Cambodia during their break from the build. The house dedication was followed by a delicious spread of Cambodian dishes on the farewell lunch.
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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Mekong Big Build
Glimmer of Hope
Joun Sophal, Khong Joe and their children in front of their rented house in Steaung Meanchey
Joun Sophal’s family is made up of 9 members. Sophal’s wife, Khong Joe and his 7 children aged 3 to 20 years old. Fortunately, five of his children are able to go to school with the support from PSE. The other two have not reached schooling age. 43 year-old Joun Sophal is a rubbish collector. Sophal begins his day at 3:30 in the morning. He brings along with him his rubbish cart and lunch as he heads to the new dumpsite at Cheng Erk, which is about 10km from where they live. Everyday, he walks around 1 and a half to 2 hours to reach his destiny and is able to start picking waste at 5:30am, he takes a short break for lunch and again continues digging and picking until 4pm. He then walks back for home until around 5:30pm. Joe, on the other hand, takes charge of housework. Once the children have eaten and left for school, she starts to sew jute sack at home to earn extra and normally finishes at 9:00pm. Sophal is able to earn around $6.5 a day from scavenging, while Joe earns about $4.5 a day from selling sack. Their meager combined earnings are just enough to pay for their food and house rental in Steung Meanchey, where they found Issu e 51 |
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themselves years back just to be closer to the dumpsite, which was closed down in 2009. All 9 of them manage to fit in 4m by 5m dilapidated house with materials made out of rotting wooden frames, pieces of plywood callously nailed as patched walls. Their roof is made of old zinc. “We have been living here for the longest time and I cannot remember a single day that we did not face any problems in our surroundings. Flooding has become a casual thing during the rainy season. We have been used to the smell and buzz of the mosquitoes but we also try to be careful in the best way we know just so our children will be free from diseases. It is hard to avoid diseases though in a place like this,” said Sophal. “Apart from our daily expenses such as food, transportation and utilities, we try to keep some small amount for medicines,” he adds. Sanitation is another concern for Sophal and many other families around the community. Among the 100 families around the area, there are only 4 communal toilets provided by PSE for their use; the landlord do not agree to build more than this number on their property. With very limited sanitation
facilities, most of the families, specifically children always go around the village to defecate. “I have no choice but to sometimes bring my children to the field, because 4 toilets are not enough for all the people here. I hope that when we live in the new place, we can experience some good changes. By that time, I hope my children will be able to live healthily and can concentrate well on their studies without being ill anymore,” added Joe. Sophal’s family has visited the Smile Village site and was explained about the plan of the area they are going to move into in the near future. There are excited about the new location due to its closeness to the new dumpsite. The thought of not needing to wake-up at 3:30 and walking for almost 2 hours gave Sophal encouragement. Sophal and Joe also look forward to the new skills they will learn from the livelihood training that will be provided to them in Smile Village. The prospect of gaining new skills and new livelihood opportunities give them a glimmer of hope.
Special Feature Hope Springs Hope indeed springs. We, and eighty-eight others saw transformed lives, after long years of waiting, through the North Build in Battambang City, Battambang province in April. Many families waited years and years just to feel their strong sense of hope turn into reality, and out of the 245 families, 4 of them – Prak Ya, Won Yann, Chen Yom and Ley Sina - were extra fortunate to share their new found security and peace on a fiveday special build with volunteers from New Zealand, China and Canada. The team also built one community center in O’kcheay Community and another in Chamkar Russey Community was further improved. The five days was packed. It began with an opening dinner where members from the Battambang government such as H. E. Uy Ry, Battambang Deputy Provincial Governor, H.E Seing Suthang, Advisor of H.E Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Former BTB Deputy Provincial Governor of Battambang and Provincial/Municipal Land Use and Allocation Committee chief, Mr. Sieng Em Wounzy, Deputy Governor of Battambang Municipality and Chief Maritime Transport Working Group, other partners in government and NGOs came to give our volunteers a warm welcome. Before everyone started building on the first day, volunteers were formally introduced to the home partners, skilled workers and the community people in a brief but meaningful opening ceremony. The rest of the week brought different people from different walks of life together. Many made new friends; some rekindled their friendships and everyone made new memorable stories that they were excited to share with their loved ones back home. Amidst the humidity and heat, one thing that kept the volunteers going throughout the week is the thought that they were contributing to the fulfillment of 2 communities’ dream of having a decent place for their gatherings and 4 families’ dreams of owning a secure land and safe, decent shelter. The presence of the 80 volunteers also helped Habitat for Humanity Cambodia to gain the full approval and official endorsement of the Battambang Government to manage the development of 41 more SLC plots, which will serve 82 more families in need of secure land and decent shelter. This was celebrated during the North Build with an inauguration of the 41 plots where representatives from the teams joined the Battambang Deputy Provincial Governor H. E. Uy Ry in cutting the inaugural ribbon right after the house dedications and closing program. So yes, hope indeed springs. “Your presence here is also a celebration of our bigger hope – that from this single project’s success of delivering secure land tenure, more and more families would come to enjoy their rights for secure living,” said HFH Cambodia’s Country Director Bernadette Bolo-Duthy in her Welcome Remarks during the opening night. The contribution of the volunteers made the families’ celebration of years of hope even more meaningful for them, and as the week grew, each volunteer found a new and stronger appreciation of HOPE. Following the start of the Battambang government’s distribution of land tenure certificates in December 2012 through the Social Land Concession project on Strengthening Civil Society-Government Partnership for the Delivery of Secure Land Tenure, HFH Cambodia’s Battambang site began to open Battambang to volunteer builds in January 2013 which further led to this first ever Special Build purely intended to contribute to the expansion of the project. North Build was a collaboration between Habitat for Humanity New Zealand and Habitat for Humanity Cambodia. Issu e 51 |
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Special Feature Upcoming Events and Legal Holidays 19 – 31 June EHOPHHS and CCT Final Project Evaluation
24 May – 02 June Livelihood and Business Training for BHBPL Project in Phnom Penh
01 June International Children’s Day
05 – 06 June Construction Technical Training to TPA Loan Assistants at HFH Cambodia
07 – 16 June Global Village Team from USA in Siem Reap
10 – 15 June Sun T6 Taining at HFH Cambodia
18 June Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk’s Birthday
New Faces and Congratulations
Please contact Chhim Samon at chhim_samon@habitatcambodia.org
HFH Cambodia welcomes Chhim Samon, the new Project Officer for Building Homes Building Hope Project in Phnom Penh. Samon brings with him years of experience working with local and international NGOs Issu e 51 |
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Please contact Hourn Kimhour at hourn_khour@ habitatcambodia.org
Please join HFH Cambodia in welcoming Hourn Kimhour our newest Construction Supervisor for Building Homes Building Hope Project (BHBPL). Kimhour brings with him years of working experience in construction with private companies.
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, International Children’s Care Australia, World Bank, Japan Social Development Fund, Asian Development Bank, Paul and Aileen Munn, World Vision Cambodia, and Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission
LO C A L P A 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 OOL 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