Improve Health with Clean Water in Rural Cambodia

Prohut village is one of many remote villages in Siem Reap province, Cambodia where Trailblazer works. In the rainy season, which is happening right now, only bicycles and motorbikes - with the help of being pushed by the riders, can travel to villages like Prohut. Villages like Prohut have less access to clean water, therefore, villagers are forced to use rain water and/or pond water to meet their water needs. However, these sources of water are not potable, even if boiled, and cause serious health issues. Few families can afford to purchase a filter from the market to have for clean water for their family.

In 2015, Trailblazer drilled pump wells and installed bio-sand water filters in Prohut Village for several families. One example the impact of having clean water and access to water can make is with Mr. Hoy and his family. Mr. Hoy and his wife Hann were one of the recipient families that received a bio-sand water filter and a pump well. They have three children. Their daughter studies in Prohut Village Primary school.

Mr. Hoy recently told Trailblazer, “Before our family received the bio-sand water filter and the pump well, we had difficulties in our living, especially problems with our health. We got diarrhea and were sick often. We faced money problems because we lost production time in our garden, and had to use the money we could earn from our hard work to pay for medicine and health care. We didn’t have enough water to raise animals or irrigate our small garden."

Mr. Hoy continued, "We were very happy when Trailblazer introduced us to the bio-sand filter and trained us about hygiene. This is very important. We lived our life without knowing that by consuming clean water it would save our health and improve our economic ability. After using the pump well and filtered water from the bio-sand filter, we noticed that our health situation improved, and continued to get better. No one is sick with diarrhea now. We can save money to buy study materials for our daughter. It has been four years now, and the bio-sand filter still works well, and we are having a productive life." 

Now in 2019, Mr. Hoy has a small tractor, two motorbikes, one bicycle, 5 cows, 15 ducks, and 10 chickens. This economic growth is clearly a result of better health because of clean water and access to water. Owning livestock raises a families level of poverty from extremely poor to simply poor. Mr. Hoy and his wife thank the donors and Trailblazer for receiving the bio-sand filter and pump well. It was life changing.

Other villagers in Prohut Village who received a bio-sand filter and pump well from Trailblazer reported experiencing a similar positive impact and benefit to their lives as Mr. Hoy and Hann have.

We wish thank all of you who aided in this effort to bring clean water and hope of a better life to rural villagers throughout Siem Reap province, Cambodia.