their idea: promote projects to prevent human trafficking in
Kampong Speu, Cambodia
$50 Buys a home garden to generate income
$120 Buys a shallow well to water home gardens
$250 Buys a mold to create biosand water filters
$2,000 Buys a deep well for an entire 200 person community
$10,000 Starts a comprehensive business program for an entire community
the power of their idea
Project Details
Water is a crucial commodity to life. The Wells of Opportunity project provides clean water to rural Cambodians in the Kampong Speu province to provide economic independence and improve health. The project also aims to limit the financial burdens resulting from water access that ultimately cause families to engage in desperate behaviors such as trafficking themselves or their children.
We start the project by providing a clean water source for a community. Next, the community learns how to grow food now made possible by this water source. We build upon this success by teaching people in the area financial and project management skills so they can start earning an income, and can become economically independent. As the communities grow, we link them together to work in cooperatives, learn from each other, and build an international support network.
Groundwork Opportunities is proud to partner with the Sao Sary Foundation (SSF) led by Vichetr Uon to implement this project in Cambodia. The tragic assassination of Vichetr's father was the spark was the motivation to give back to his community. After his father's death, Vichetr spent nearly a decade working for various international non-government organizations where he learned the skills to run his own operation. His efforts have been recently documented by the BBC and he was also chosen as a young visionary leader representing Cambodia at the 2010 Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit.
Together, we have impacted over 5 communities and have provided effective, long-term clean water solutions for nearly 1,000 individuals in Kampong Speu. Our continuing five-year plan with SSF seeks to expand this project to over 50 communities in Cambodia by 2016, directly impacting 7,000 individuals.
the impact of our support
Phim's Story
Phim Dy (left) and her family were living together in a small house with a dirt floor where everyone was forced to sleep on a muddy floor when it rained. None of her children were in school and they would work seasonally wherever it was possible. Through the Wells of Opportunity project, the family was taught how to grow vegetables and given a seed loan to start a business. The family also received bicycles so they could take the morning glory they harvested to the market and sell it themselves.
With the help of GO and SSF, the business has flourished and the family now harvests and makes approximately US $50 every two weeks. This has allowed the family to not only eat, but also has given them the ability to save money. As a result of the work completed and the money saved, the family was able to build a new, larger house with an adequate roof, and the children are now able to stay dry while sleeping. Phim Dy now has the power to earn money for her family and provide a better future for her children, who are now back in school.