Location
Thnot Chum Commune, Baray District, Kampong Thom Province, Cambodia
Community Description
Almost all of the residents of this larger-than-average commune in Kampong Thom Province engage in farming.
Although it is only 8 kilometers from the National Road, it faces huge economic and educational disparities, even when compared to the nearest town. Multiple families tend to live in compounds and share wells, or walk to nearby locations that have shared wells for the community.
Problem Addressed
There are no paved roads in the community, and the houses in the target area sit off of a mud road. The residents face severe flooding during the rainy season.
Holes have been dug for the collection of water. However, the holes are always very dirty and full of trash. Since they are not covered, the water is contaminated by human and animal fecal matter, causing serious gastrointestinal problems among the residents.
The standing water creates perfect conditions for the breeding of mosquitos, allowing for the proliferation of insect-borne illnesses, such as malaria. 
Although there is an irrigation system nearby, family members in these compounds are elderly caretakers who often cannot bear the physical work of carrying water back to their homes.
Project Description
This project will build two wells in two compounds of the village.
The wells will be located in centralized locations to provide access to multiple families. They will provide water for drinking, cooking, washing clothes, sanitation, and hygiene.
The wells will be hand dug to a depth of between 10 and 15 meters, depending on where the water table is found.
The construction will include a waterproof cement lining and a runoff area to prevent the accumulation of standing water.
The work will be done by a local construction worker.
Water Charity funds will be used to pay for the materials, including cement, sand, gravel, and wire.
Community members will contribute unskilled labor and locally-available materials, and will build covers for the wells.
Project Impact
100 people will benefit from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Josephine Mahlie
Monitoring and Maintenance
After the project is complete, water samples will be collected to test for potability, and the Peace Corps Volunteer will educate the community on proper water safety.
Community members will work with the Peace Corps Volunteer and commune/village chiefs to ensure the continued maintenance of the wells.
Comments
This is an important infrastructure project that addresses immediate health problems in a very vulnerable and underprivileged community.
This project is being implemented as part of the Water Charity WHOLE WORLD Water Program – Cambodia. Donations to continue the overall program are being accepted on the program page.
This project has been funded by WHOLE WORLD Water. Additional donations will go to other projects in Cambodia.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.
