Basic education and literacy, sanitation and hygiene are basic needs for a poorly developed country like Cambodia; especially important for children. With the support of separate District Foundation International Grants, World of Difference (WOD) conducted projects to improve both the school and sanitation facilities at two primary schools in rural Cambodia. These projects were also supported by Brighton North, Hawthorn Rotary and a WOD /VicPol Legatee tour in November 2024.Both schools had inadequate buildings, classrooms, equipment, and outdated sanitation systems. These conditions discouraged female attendance and increased diseases due to poor sanitation and hygiene. The main external support for schools in Cambodia is through the payment of wages. Particularly since the COVID pandemic which saw a decrease in tourism and subsequent employment opportunities, impoverished village communities have been impacted and are unable to financially support schools in their communities.
The schools were identified by two Cambodian NGOs, Cambodia Clean Water & Toilet (CCWTP) and Water for Cambodia (WFC). Each NGO carried out the water and sanitation part of the projects and arranged the work on the school buildings and facilities together with the principals of both schools and members of each community.
World of Difference (WOD) and VicPol Legatees (VPAL) tours helped scope, implement, and fund the projects. Importantly, Rotary leaders Bronwyn Stephens and Katrina Flinn led a VPAL tour in Nov. 2024. WOD will continue supporting both schools through Darrel Steer (a past member of Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne) and WFC to ensure project sustainability.
The direct beneficiaries of the project are 450 students and 19 teachers at both School who will benefit from the improved classroom facilities and equipment provided by the Grant. The new toilet and washroom facilities will also benefit the students and teachers. The improved sanitation facilities which include female dedicated facilities will encourage females to attend school on a daily basis. Also, the handwashing facilities should improve hygiene amongst all students. The provision of new school desks and modern teaching equipment should also improve the education of the children attending the school.