A new well for the village

Kok Thnoat village is about a 30-minute drive away from central Siem Reap. Past the airport and the ancient temple ruins of Bayon, the road leading up to the village is a small pot-holed dirt path, and becomes narrower until no four-wheeled vehicle can pass. The rest of the journey has to be done either on foot or on a bicycle.

Children swing in a hammock. They
belong to one of the few families
who will benefit from the fresh water
supply.

Four year old SreySa (left) and her sister
Srey Chit, 6,sit on the steps of their home.  

On one of our recent visits, a new well was being dug. When finished in a couple of days, this well will be a safe and reliable supply of drinking water shared between four families. Other areas have also been earmarked for new wells, and it is our hope that every family will have their very own water source one day.

A construction worker digs a well with basic
tools. A typical well is between 25 and 30
metres deep and can take up to a week
to complete

A family holds up a well
sign. They will finally
have fresh water indoors
when the pump is ready.

The entire village used to share a derelict public well until some families decided to dig their own in their backyard. At 3m deep, these are unfortunately no more than muddy ditches that breed micro-organisms and algae. They are also a potential drowning hazard for small children.

It gets worse during the rainy season between September and November, when the whole village goes underwater, temporarily suspending all access to drinking water. At one home visit, workers were putting the finishing touches to a new water pump. When completed, it will be connected directly to the house so that the family will have a constant supply of fresh water even during the rainy season.

  

Longbean, morning glory and
pumpkin seeds being distributed.

 Once in a while, when we go around the surrounding villages to see how people are doing, we also 

Lunch from above! Stir fried
tamarind and cabbage, beef
with morning glory and fresh
lettuce leaves

distribute vegetable seeds to help families make a sustainable livelihood. 

Life here is simple and basic—most men work in the town, while their wives look after the home, and children go to a nearby school. But it can sometimes get financially very difficult when the only breadwinner of the family becomes unemployed. 

For others, their only asset is the house they live in, built by their ancestors and passed down through the generations. There is also no electricity in the village. Despite busloads of tourists who visit Angkor Wat every year, local incomes and standards of living have not gone up. As a result, Siem Reap continues to remain one of the poorest provinces in Cambodia.

Beyond the poverty of rural Siem Reap, lies beauty in the form of a welcoming smile and a kind word for the visitor. Sometimes a meal is also generously provided, as it was for us as we happened to be there during lunchtime. This warm hospitality is definitely one of the best experiences in life.

Do visit our donations page, if you would like to make a contribution for a new well. Full-day village tours are also available here. All proceeds from the tour goes towards FKC.

It costs $300 for a well and here FKC
staff show the sign that will placed
at the site