On March 4-10, a service learning team from Hong Kong International School traveled to Cambodia to serve with CWEF in Kampong Taben village. To begin, the team took time to learn more about the history and culture of Cambodia by in Phnom Penh. Next they traveled Kampong Taben to serve alongside community members.During this time, the HKIS students helped to install biosand filters at ten homes in the village and taught English and health lessons at the local primary school. The team also visited Angkor Wat before returning to Hong Kong. The team served alongside residents in Kampong Taben for two and a half days.
CWEF has been working in Kampong Taben village for six years. Over these six years, CWEF facilitated an animal gift program in the village and surrounding communities. During this trip, the HKIS students were able to expand the relationship between CWEF and Kampong Table primary school. The HKIS students taught lessons emphasizing the importance of clean drinking water and hygiene to the primary school students.
This service learning trip provided an opportunity for CWEF to expand partnership into the community by helping residents to build the biosand filters at ten homes. In Kampong Taben, many residents collect water from wells. Although they have access to water, they do not have a way to ensure the water is safe to drink. The biosand filters are an effective and sustainable way to clean the water, ensuring it is safe to drink. Each of the biosand filter recipients attended a training on how to maintain the filters and the importance of safe drinking water to reduce the risk of water borne diseases and illnesses.
CWEF hopes that through the continued partnership in Kampong Taben, the community will be transformed through improved literacy and health!