Clean Water Project
It is impossible to see the smiles of the children in Cambodia and not want to help provide them with a better chance. That better chance often starts with something as simple as clean water, a simple pleasure that most people take for granted. Not just to be able to drink from a tap, but actually to have a tap is literally a world away for many Cambodians.
The shocking statistics on waterborne disease exemplify the worldwide need for access to clean water and JWOC had clean water as one of its first initiatives.
Starting with $100 wells, JWOC has provided clean water to over 2,000 people. With the need for wells in the local suburbs becoming less of a priority JWOC is now putting in wells off the beaten track, at $350 per well there is a higher expense, but the people benefiting often have very few other options with water sources disappearing in the dry season. Through the amazing generosity of travelers, access to clean water in Cambodia is becoming a reality and the health and quality of life for many has grown in leaps and bounds. Signs over our wells show the names of those people who made this amazing gift possible and you can too…
Give as you go: To make clean water part of your tour you can donate a well as you are booking your trip and we will try, depending on time and your schedule, to take you to visit the well here in Cambodia.
Price: $350 plus $25 for a personalized sign
“How can we help?”
A letter from two of our guests, sent to friends and family after returning from their trip:
As you all know we are back from our trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. It was a journey that will stay with me for the rest of my life. We saw so much and met many wonderful people. We were moved by the kindness and generosity of spirit of both the Vietnamese people and the Cambodian people. The company that we booked our tour through- Journeys Within- also known as Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC) is amazing. Not only for the thought and time they put into our journey, but more importantly for what they are doing to help the people of Cambodia. Their slogan is “See a Problem...Solve a Problem.” And they are!
One of the villages we visited “Kaoktnout”-- the Palm Tree Village--is a village in need. Our driver and guide both live in this village. The people were so warm, kind and welcoming to us. One major aspect of Journeys Within is to help supply clean drinking water to these villages. I quote from their brochure “We witnessed the common practice of rural villagers drinking from pools of standing water and streams contaminated with waterborne disease and polluted with waste. JWOC initiated the “Clean Water Project,” installing hand pump water wells providing roughly 30 people with a safe water source.
John and I are sending money to purchase a water pump--it's $100 and will help close to 30 people in one village. What we are asking you, our friends and family, is to donate what you can. My goal is to be able to send enough money for 5 pumps (but would love to do more). That equals only $400 more. Whatever you feel you can spare, the cost of a latte, the cost of a pedicure, a tank of gas, whatever you can do, will change the lives of these very kind people. I will be mailing a check (or sending the money on line) by April 30th. If you feel you can help, please send your check or money directly to me (made out to me) and I will send it as a lump sum. (John and I will also purchase a sign that will be put in the village--saying From Your Friends in Seattle, Washington.)
Please visit the website: www.JourneysWithinOurCommunity.org and see how your money will help these wonderful people. Every penny will go directly to building the wells. Every Penny! You'll read that a photo will be sent of the wells and the people using them. I will forward all pictures and info from Journeys to all who support this cause. Brandon and Andrea Ross are real people doing great work to help others. I DID not tell Brandon and Andrea that I was going to try and raise money, it's just in my heart to do this. Please help in any way you can. It will be deeply appreciated by John and me, but more importantly by the people of Cambodia.
— Mindy & John
A note from a guest:
We would like the contribution to go to a water well and school supplies. We were very impressed with what you are doing with the clean water and so impressed with the use of the wells that we saw on our tour of the village. As a former teacher, school supplies are “close to my heart.” We hope to someday return to Cambodia and to Journeys Within.
— Mary Lynn Logan