2nd Hands and Hearts: Beyond Building
The thought of living in their own house drove the 3 sisters to wear huge smiles on their faces each and every day at the build. Kath Rogers and Steve Laughton smiled each time they saw their home partner Kanika smile. They were both simply inspired by the resilience that the 3 sisters showed. Their smiles reminded Kath and Steve that all their hard work in raising funds just to be able to help Kanika and other families in need of adequate housing are all worth it.
Kanika expressed her joy dedication with her sisters and volunteers during the house dedication
Sous Kanika could not stop smiling. She carried a big smile on her face when she welcomed the second group of Hands and Hearts Build volunteers. She shared smiles with skilled workers when she passed a brick or a small pail of cement. She exchanged laughs with the team while sharing stories throughout the build. The November 12 to 16 Hands and Hearts Build brought her many different reasons to smile. For 18-year old Kanika, wearing a smile helped her and her sisters a lot in overcoming their challenges. “Right after the death of my mother, I was so discouraged and felt so afraid. Besides losing my mother, the responsibility of taking care of my younger siblings and of earning for our daily expenses scared me. I wanted to give up school that time,” said Kanika “but I was fortunate to meet MarykIssu e 46 |
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noll. They encouraged me and supported me and my sisters with our education.”
Like Kanina, Steve and his wife Tas wanted to see genuine smiles from other people’s faces through their help. The husband and wife tandem raised more than enough funds to be able to join the second Hands and Hearts build. Steve got involved in Hands and Hearts because he just turned 40 this November, and he and his wife wanted to do something special for others. They wanted to serve families not just by donating a certain amount, but to get actually involvement in the activities. He then found out about Habitat for Humanity’s work and decided to volunteer, he and Tas ‘had their skates on’ and started to raise as much funds
Kanika is now already in grade twelve while 16-yeear old Veasna and 12-year old Kanha are in grade 11 and 7. “I want to continue with a higher education after finishing high school. I dream of becoming a doctor because I will be able to help other people in need just like my mother when she was very ill, but I also have a strong interest to become a secretary; I love organizing tasks and meeting lots of people. If only I have the ability, I will move forward to reach at least one of these two goals.” Veasna, who was listening intently to her sister excitedly added, “I’ve always wanted to be a designer! I want to design and decorate houses. I love to see and live in a nice and beautiful house, and I continuously dream of decorating my own The team gets ready for the build home.”
Top Stories tain pledges from their neighbors and friends. Kath could finally volunteer on a build with Habitat for Humanity. She heard about Hand and Hearts Build organized by Habitat for Humanity Australia which focused on helping PLWHA and OVC. She knew this was where she wanted the amount she raised to go to. “I feel generally humbled with everything I experienced here. What I did just now and what I received from the fundraising were beyond my expectation. Through this work, I can now see that the world is a combination of differences and everybody has the heart to help others,” Kath shared with a warm smile on her face.
mitment and passion are the ones that drove Kanika and her sisters and Kem Chhunheng and her sons to their happiness. Their presence and hard work reminded them to smile as they begin to embrace their new life in their new homes.
Welcoming volunteer with beautiful hand-made flower
Kem Chhunheng starts with the first brick
Concrete mixing team
Bonding with skilled worker
Building higher
Visit to HHB I home partner, Ms Sous Chhreb
Photo with HHB I families during the visit
Proud of my work
as possible. Steve proudly says his wife did so well and raised most, about 70% of their total funds. Tas was excited to join the build but in the end was unable to, because she soon found out that she was 2 months pregnant. Steve brought his sister, Liaine, along which turned out to be a fine bonding time for both of them.
“I really enjoyed the build work and very happy to see the progress of our work from day to day. The heat and our limited building skills were negligible. We had so much fun while building, and very proud that we were able to build a well-constructed house for Kanika despite us not having any construction background or experience. We had the support of very patient skilled workers and The Hands and Hearts Build volunteers’ comhome partners. This is my very first build and I’m sure there will be next. My wife will be with me then, for sure,” Steve shared during the dedication.
Sous Kanika and Kem Chhunheng are two of the many other families that the Hands and Hearts Build proceeds support through one of Habitat for Humanity Cambodia’s shelter and social welfare-based project for PLWHA and OVC, which is in partnership with Maryknoll. Read about Kem Chhunheng’s story on page 09
Kath Rogers, on the other hand, could not stop smiling when she shared her “Walk for World” fundraising, which she simply did by walking for 20km in just a day. She and her four other friends walked a distance for cer-
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Top Stories
Ian’s first 2 bricks
Hi five!
Perfection!
Getting better with laying task
Having fun working with Sihong and skilled worker
Break time physical education :)
Visit at the Steung Meanchey Dumpsite
Almost done with window painting
More smiles from the sisters
Handing of symbolic key to the new house
Sharing about experiences inside the new house
Arab-piya dancing!
A nice way to conclude a build!
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Enjoying the view of the village and rice fields
Group posing for the accomplishments
Top Stories New Habitat Cambodia Model Houses Guided by its vision ‘A country where everyone has a decent place to live,’ Habitat for Humanity Cambodia has always initiated product and service innovations to ensure that we are able to reach people in need with the most suitable, reasonable and cost-efficient way.
The mezzanine provides a separate space for children or for storage and the concrete frame gives flexibility for future house expansion. The main materials used to build this type of house design are concrete frame filled with concrete blocks, steel, and zinc roof.
To add to the brick houses, wooden houses, and the hand-made soil block house we already have in our range of designs, HFH Cambodia has finished three new house designs.
The Garden House. It is a house which aims to open on all sides of its surrounding garden space whilst still providing a large living area and separate mezzanine. The openings provide access and view to outdoor areas as well as air flow and natural light to internal spaces. The use of concrete is minimized and a thatched roof is employed to minimize cost, the use of local materials and provide better protection from heat and noise from rain. The main construction materials include fire brick, wood and thatch roof. The Big Roof House. This design is based on common practice (and practicality) of out-
The Modified House. It is a development from the traditional HFH Cambodia house design. The double layered roof, broken into two parts for air flow protects the house from heat gain. Extending over the entrance, the roof provides a useable space for street-facing activities common to Cambodia - a small shop, area for household chores and work-related activities, social interactions, among others.
door living in Cambodia. The big roof house aims to cover a large majority of the area with a roof. The secure internal space for sleeping and storage is minimized where the roofed outdoor space is maximized for cooking, washing, play, business among others. Lightweight components allow ease of construction and breathability in a tropical climate. Key materials used in this construction include wood and steel structure, pressed cement board, zinc roof. The new three house designs are being built by a 23-member Global Village team from US led by Neale Kemp, a 2011 Nehemiah awardee for Distinguished Volunteer Service. The designs were made by HFHC’s design consultant (Collaborative Studio). Build started midNovember and will last for two weeks. More information about the build will be featured in the next issue.
Big Roof House
Modified House
Garden House
Home owner Try Than, after selecting a house design
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Highlights Healthier Habits
Community Center for All land.
“I am very happy that my students can now conveniently use a proper toilet located close to our school,” said Mr. Nhok Ouert, the teacher at Kok Toch Primary School situated in Angkor Chum district, about 50 km from Siem Reap town. Kok Toch is a small primary school with only one classroom and 36 village children. The students would normally go to the rice fields nearby to defecate. The hygiene level of Kok Toch village is very low, the students themselves have very poor understanding about the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation, and the value of latrine use. It is fortunate that mid this year, a US Global Village team built the latrine the children are now using. To complement the newly built latrine, the students were also orientated about the proper use of latrine and all about proper sanitation. “Just a month after the build of the new latrine, I am able to see a significant difference in my school. My students no longer walk to the rice field and even the community people around our school also started to use the latrine and began to aspire to have their own. As a contribution, the community people using the latrine share the responsibility of taking care of it,” said Nhok Ouert, a school teacher.
Khun Nimol, the youth team president shares during the drawing session, “This is already the second time that we made use of this community center as our learning session venue. We’re happy that we now have a free space to learn because we’re a volunteer group and we are unable to support the fee to rent a meeting room for our gathering.” The first among the 3 community centers planned under the Battambang project is serving community people well especially the youth. A group of youth volunteer s joined together in a 2-day Community Map Drawing session organized by Community Management Development Partner (CMDP) at the community center in Chmakar Russey Commune, Prek Preah Sdach District, Battambang. This is the second time this map drawing education to the youth was held in the Chmakar Russey Commune community center. The drawing session aims to allow the youth to understand land re-blocking and learn about land management, planning and drawing of small plots to maximize the accommodation of families in need of secure
The five-day training sessions were conducted five times in both Phnom Penh and Prey Veng province to 138 participants. The sessions were focused on development of various skills including financial education, micro-business management and Ecological Chicken Raising.
A series of livelihood and financial trainings were organized by the Chabpdeum Chivet Thmey (CCT) project, one of the HIV OVC shelter-based projects of Habitat Cambodia. The trainings were conducted from October to mid-November to HFH Cambodia home partner families from Phnom Penh, Kandal, Kompong Speu, and Prey Veng. 5
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The Chmakar Russey Commune community center was built on September 2012.
Chabpdeum Chivet Thmey Training Courses
“We are very happy now that we have the toilet close to our school. I always use this toilet and I never forget to wash my hands properly after. The hygiene orientation made me understand how important sanitation is in our daily lives,” shared Srey Len, a 12-year old grade 2 student.
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Apart from using the center for trainings, the community center is also being used by the community people and other organizations for their monthly meetings. “I’m happy that we have a wide space with fresh air for our meetings, trainings and other gathering without any fee. This community center really benefits many people in the community and even its neighboring communities. It provides a suitable area to gather and share information,” said Mr. Srun Veasna, the Community Development Supervisor for CMDP.
All the participants were very inspired after the training and truly appreciated the new knowledge they gained that will help lead them to improving their living conditions. Additionally, the trainees committed to apply the skills they learned for their growth - 28 committed to start recording their family incomes and expenses, 110 participants promised to begin raising chicken and 34 aim to have small home-based business.
Viva Volunteers Global Village Wrap Up November 2 to 11: A 12-member Global Village volunteer team from USA supported the Water and Sanitation Project in Siem Reap by building two rain water tanks for two different primary schools – Kouk Chhrey Primary School and Kjeay Primary School – located in Pouk commune and Sosorsdom commune, Siem Reap Province. At the end of the day the team was able completely finish the two rain water tanks for Kouk Chrey and Kjeay Primary School schools and celebrated together with the kids, teachers and community members for the dedication of the facilities. The US team also took the opportunity to donate some sports materials to the schools they worked with. November 3 to 10: Volunteers from Australia formed their own team and committed to serve people in need in Siem Reap through HFH Cambodia. The team was able to finish the two latrines for two families who are in great need of hygiene and sanitation support in Pouk district. These latrines mean a lot to the families; they can now start improving their hygiene and sanitation practices. The families were very excited for the dedication of the latrines. For them, their latrines will make their housing more complete. The volunteers spent extra time to visit a local hospital and a primary school in the community and donated blood to the blood bank and study materials. There were 12 members in this GV team sent by HFH Australia. November 4 to 11: 10 members built a house in Angsnoul District, Phnom Penh. On the last day of their build, the team celebrated their completion of one brick house and one wooden house for their home partners. They then finished the house dedication programs with lot of laughter, dancing and singing. Issu e 46 |
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Global Village Teams
Volunteer voice
November 12 to 21: A big group of student volunteers proudly worked together and joined a construction work in Vimean Trung Community, Phnom Penh. The 31-member team worked on three different brick houses and finished the foundation with concrete flooring and some parts of the house wall. The student team called American School in Japan celebrated their work with home partners, skilled worker in a fun 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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Khmer Harvest Build
Oudong Farm Update
From its humble beginnings in 2011, the farm has expanded serving many families in Oudong - vegetables continue to be planted by the two community members that work there. The chicken raising continues to grow in number and the fish pond recently expanded given new technology. Right now, 2,000 chickens are being raised and likely ready to sell to the local market in the next two weeks. “We are getting better now with our chicken raising skills; only a small percentage get sick or die in the farm. We also have a new method that helps us reduce expenses and enhance good production,” said Long Sambath, one of the workers from New Holistic Hope community.
cific species (like cat fish) in the small pond that can raise about 1,000 fish. “This is a recycled pond which we can reuse after the collection. With this fish pond we are able to access a lot of benefits – maintenance and monitoring are easy. It’s very easy for us to manage the water system for the fish too,” said Seng Senlim the Farm Manager. The ponds also help decrease the amount of expense incurred from the daily feeds because they can produce the fish food from available sources around the farm. “Due to the production and the increase of regular income, we plan to create three more ponds, which is recyclable and able to provide good production every season,” added Senlim.
In addition to the big fish pond on the 2-hectare farm land, the two other 4m x 6m Crop production is also another product in plastic fish ponds were created to raise spe- the farm. Varieties of vegetables including
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cucumbers, long beans, moringga, cabbage, morning glory, lettuce and others are being produced and often available for the sale at the market. “Our crops are being recognized by the villagers around here as organic products, they sometimes come to buy it directly at our farm without waiting at the local market nearby,” shared one Habitat home partner, Chum Savy. While the demand for crops is growing, the farm plans to increase the amount of production and aims to be a big distributor of organic vegetable to all the markets around Oudong by providing at least 40 to 50kg of products to the suppliers. “We are optimistic that we can sooner reach high levels of production, which in turn will support our workers,” added Senlim.
Special Feature Upcoming Events and Living with Faith “Both of my sons are the apple of my eyes. I can sacrifice this long journey of my life because of them. I have put all of my energy and spirit for my boys with firm hope that they can have a bright future,” shared Kem Chhunheng, 38, mother of Sin Sihong, 17 and Sin Silong, 12. Chhunheng is a widow; she soon found out she was HIV positive after her husband passed away. She earned just enough to support her children who were also HIV positive. Everyday Chhunheng reminds herself of her responsibilities, giving her children the support they need to live long and have the opportunity to experience better lives. “I was so stressed and afraid when I found out that all of us have HIV,” Chhunheng said. Her husband, Sin Sina, passed away just two months after finding out his test result. Faithful to her children and her responsibilities, she muscled in as much strength, she did not let her illness drag her down. Chhunheng was able to access some help - food and education for both of her children - from Maryknoll, Habitat for Humanity’s partner NGO that focuses on serving families infected and affected by HIV/Aids, but she continued to strive hard as she believes that it is important for her to help herself and to teach her children the same value. Chhunheng first started to sell second hand clothes at the market, then she provided cheap mobile phone service within the village, she did this until her health condition started to worsen. Despite her condition, Chhunheng still worked as a waitress for a breakfast restaurant in the market which was close to the house they rented. “I earn to pay for our house rent which costs $20 and for water and electricity which cost $8 a month,” she said. Chhunheng begins her day at 5am to cook breakfast for her children and heads to the market to work. She returns home before lunch time to prepare food. Apart from her work in the market and maintaining her household, she would often volunteer with another HIV organization as a resource person; helping others infected with HIV to understand more about their living condition, how to deal with their problems, how to take good care of themselves and to encourage others to share their story for support. “I volunteer and work with others who face the same problem as I have. It gives me more meaning and strength. I want to let them, as well as myself know, that we are capable of supporting each other and that we cannot simply give up. We have to decide to live and fight the situation with our families,” Chhunheng confidently shared. For her sons, life also goes on, “I really love to study. Aside from the free schooling we receive, my mother also saves enough money which she uses to pay for our English classes in the afternoon. At school, I often get praised by my teacher and classmates,” said Silong. “I study English because I can see that English is an important language, and after my graduation, I believe I can easily get a good job if I know how to speak English. I really need a good job because I wish to show gratitude to my mother. She is working hard and gets very tired taking care of both of us. I love my mother so much.”
Legal Holidays 27 – 29 November Water Festival
02 – 08 December HFH Construction Supervisor Joins Friendship Build in Bangladesh
03 – 08 December Global Village team from Malaysia in Siem Reap
09 – 16 December Global Village team from Australia in Phnom Penh
10 December International Human Rights Day
12 December Distribution of Housing Kits in Battambang
25 December Christmas Day
“Our new home, which our new friends from Australia so lovingly built with us will lead my family to a better life. Nothing can ever describe the happiness I have and I know my mother is very happy. This is her dream, and it has come true, finally! My brother and I now have enough space at home to do our homework after school. What a nice place it is!” Sihong excitedly shared. “I believe my faith has led us to this new house. It will not only bring us a better life but also stronger hope to live long and healthy. This place will help our family in decreasing the expenses and increasing our savings. Soon, I can use my savings to create a small business at home. I can now sleep peacefully now that I know we are living in our own house.” Issu e 46 |
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Kem Chhunheng and her children celebrate the dedication of their new house with 2nd Hands and Hearts Build volunteers
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, 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
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 OOL P A R T N E R S :
SC Johnson Pannasastra University of Cambodia, Norton University, Build Bright University, Royal University Phnom Penh, University of Cambodia, Collaborative Studio, Fulbright and Undergraduate State Alumni Association of Cambodia
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