Searching for
the source
We know that to make long-term change on a massive scale, you need solutions tailored to local contexts. That's why we work with local partners, including NGOs, governments, and private utility companies, to help increase access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene in ways that last.
The source of our impact is working alongside these local partners and communities. In our series Searching for the Source, we've teamed up with our partner Who Gives A Crap to share our journey with some of these local partners and communities to change lives through clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
3.9 million people in Cambodia don’t have a decent toilet of their own.
That's almost a quarter of the population
The whole journey
In Cambodia with WaterAid: The inclusive toilet
Who Gives A Crap co-founder Jehan Ratnatunga headed to Cambodia to check out an inclusive toilet that was built with accessibility in mind.
In Cambodia with WaterAid: Clean water and the community
Long Chay Hout is a fisherman in Prasat who now has access to a working toilet, which means his family, children, and neighbours aren’t as sick anymore.
In Cambodia with Wateraid: A water treatment plant
Robin Cho, Head of Impact at Who Gives a Crap, visited a water treatment plant in Cambodia to experience the impact it’s had on the community.
About our work in Cambodia
WASH: Water, Sanitation, Hygiene. Three words that can save millions of lives.
Water
In Cambodia, climate change is causing more frequent droughts and floods, making traditional water sources unreliable and unsafe. We're working to provide climate resilient water solutions, and to strengthen the systems that ensure these solutions are sustained well into the future.
Sanitation
Having somewhere safe to go to the toilet is vital for communities to thrive, but with much of Cambodia's population living in challenging environments, such as floating communities, achieving this is uniquely complex. We're working to provide the infrastructure and the knowledge to end open defecation throughout Cambodia, and ensure better health for entire communities - particularly the most vulnerable.
Hygiene
Good hygiene is a simple way to prevent sickness, but without the knowledge, materials and clean water to practice it, lives are put at risk. We're working with our local partners in Cambodia to run hygiene education and behavioral change campaigns, so communities are better equipped to protect themselves.
Ms Kompeach
When I go out visiting the communities, I see people with disabilities facing the most challenges.
The most important part of having a toilet is that it allows people with or without disabilities to stay healthy. When people are healthy, they spend less, they can reduce their poverty, and they are able to spend more time working or taking their children to school.
Meach Soutieng
People face more difficulties in the dry season because all their water wells dry up. If their water runs out, they have to buy water. And poor families cannot afford this, so they often go without enough water.
When people use clean water, they live full and happy lives. Water is the most important thing.
Chayhout
Since I got a toilet, I've noticed that my children don't need the doctor or health centre.
If we have a toilet our environment is clean, water is clean, we have good hygiene, and then our community will have good health for everyone.
Ms Kompeach
When I go out visiting the communities, I see people with disabilities facing the most challenges.
The most important part of having a toilet is that it allows people with or without disabilities to stay healthy. When people are healthy, they spend less, they can reduce their poverty, and they are able to spend more time working or taking their children to school.
People face more difficulties in the dry season because all their water wells dry up. If their water runs out, they have to buy water. And poor families cannot afford this, so they often go without enough water.
When people use clean water, they live full and happy lives. Water is the most important thing.
Chayhout
Since I got a toilet, I've noticed that my children don't need the doctor or health centre.
If we have a toilet our environment is clean, water is clean, we have good hygiene, and then our community will have good health for everyone.
Last year, we supported almost 50,000 people in Cambodia to access clean water close to home.
Donate today
Donate today to change lives in Cambodia with clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
Image credit: WaterAid/ Tariq Hawari
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