Wells

Wells are greatly needed in the countryside. Most villagers use and transport water from long distances from deep holes in the ground. Wells allow women and children, traditionally responsible for water collection, to collect water more quickly and easily. Having a well remedies one initial problem: access to water.

Chanry, 32, was born in Kampong Cham Province. When she was young her family was plagued by diarrhea and poverty. Chanry had to carry water from a pit well, and sometimes found worms in her food. After starting a family in Sras village, Chanry acquired a Trailblazer well and bio-sand water filter. Clean water has allowed Chanry to irrigate a garden, protect her family from disease and send her children to school. She also received a small Trailblazer grant for her sewing business, which has done so well she has been able to afford significant housing improvements.

With your gift of $120 USD or $600 USD you can create a ripple effect of independence and development - a lasting legacy. You can create stories like Chanry´s.

We acquired new semi-automated well drilling equipment in 2011 and had our well drilling crew trained by the Rural Water Department officials which means our team is now certified by the Cambodian government on this equipment. These wells are deeper with a larger bore and equipped with a filtration unit at the base of the well, and so can service several more people. These wells cost $600 USD. We also drill pull pump wells for $120 USD with our manual equipment. To increase our drilling capacity we plan to have two well drilling teams in the near future in order get water access to even more people.

Once a villager has access to a convenient and an ample water source they can begin to think beyond basic life-sustaining capacities. A well provides villagers the ability to irrigate gardens or create fish ponds, whereby improving their food supply, ultimately their health, and creates the opportunity for income from the sale of excess provisions. It is our goal that one in every three to five families in rural villages are provided a well as a consistent source of water. All wells are recorded with GPS locations.