Water Brings Children Health and Safety

Two sponsored children, Soung Sreynet, 12, and her younger brother Narak, 8, love to carry drinking water from home whenever they go to school. Sreynet’s family drinks water from a water filter donated by World Vision Cambodia.

“Since we received the water filter, my children have enjoyed good health and we haven’t wasted money,” says Peng Soknouek, Sreyenet’s mother. “Before, my children got sick easily. They often had diarrhea. I spent at least 100,000 riel [25 US dollars] each time we saw the doctor.” 

To earn 100,000 riel, Sreynet’s father has to work for 10 days.

About 45 km from Phnom Penh, many communities in Ponhea Leu lack access to clean water, sanitation facilities and good hygiene behavior which can lead to poor health, especially in the dry season. 

“The absence of water and sanitation facilities increased living costs for the poor, reduced income earning potential, damaged well-being and made life more risky, especially for children,” says Nong Davith, programme manager for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene of World Vision.

Sreynet and Narak used to drink unclean water. Soknouek says, “When my children were thirsty, they were always in a hurry to drink. They drank water before boiling.”  

“Now with the water filter, I don’t have to waste time to boil water or spend time looking for fire wood as before," Souknouek adds. 

World Vision also built two wells in Sreynet’s village. Sreynet’s family and neighbours get water from the well right behind her house. 

“I have used the water from the borehole for cooking rice, washing cloth, dishes, showering,” Sreynet says. 

“Before having the well, I had to walk to a pond which is about 100 metres from home. To reach the pond, we need to pass by the thick bush. And sometimes, leechs bites us. I did have a bath only once in the early evening. And I had to go with my friends and my older sister,” Sokouek says.

“I was afraid of walking to the ponds alone…I was afraid of being raped,” she says.

During the dry season, the pond did not have enough water for her villagers to use and drink. “My children are very lucky, especially my daughter because they have enough water to use. If there is no well, I would worry so much if she had to go to the pond for taking a bath or collecting water,” Soknouek says.

Soknouek also boasts about the change she has witnessed among the 101 people, including 84 children, who live in her village.

“My villagers have better understanding about health and pay attention to their children’s health, such as the cleanliness of their children’s bodies. They shower and clean their children’s bodies regularly, which is different from before. Children especially have learned the habit of washing their hands before meals,” she says.

 Besides using the water for showering and washing clothes, Sreynet understands the importance of keeping herself clean, which she learned from her children club meetings. 

“I always wash my hands after leaving toilet and before having a meal,” Sreynet says. 

To ensure the health of community people, especially children, World Vision has built 67 wells and provided trainings and awareness on good sanitation and hygiene in Ponhea Lue Area Development Programme (ADP).