Tuesday 5th April, we had Paul Rake as guest speaker from Rotary’s World of Difference. Paul’s presentation was indeed very powerful as he described the many ways WOD was impacting the lives of so many in remote Cambodian areas. Interestingly, World of Difference began as Eyes Wide Open in the Melbourne South Rotary club. Following on from the event, Paul approached us to partner with the Rotary Club of Chadstone East/Malvern to upgrade approximately 45-50 washrooms, including toilets in the Ankor Wat region in Cambodia. The board were in agreement so the next step will be writing the grant for the WASHROOM PROJECT.
Washrooms Project
The Rotary Club of Port Phillip with support from the Rotary Club of Chadstone East Malvern will seek District Grant International support to create approximately 45-50 washroom including toilets in the Ankor Wat region of Cambodia. The final number will be based on the currency exchange rate.
The creation of washrooms is very significant in improving general hygiene, safety and gender equity in Cambodia. The washrooms would be created using the below ground structures of older toilets. A washroom is large enough for women to have privacy when washing themselves and their children. Washrooms also provide secure space lockable door for women to attend to their sanitary needs.
In addition, local villagers will be engaged to perform the construction work thereby enhancing local skills. Each washroom creation will cost about $US285/$Aust 380 (@conversion of 0.75c) for materials and labour.
Rotary Club of Port Phillip will contribute $Aust 2000 and Rotary Club of Chadstone East Malvern will contribute $Aust10000 seeking a grant of $6000 for a total of $Aust 18000. The time frame is to get the grant into District Grant International is a small window hence the haste.
We have sent a Notice of Intent to Foundation Grants and now Alison and I, with Paul’s
support are completing the application form and the letter of participation. I
have copied an email below with photos for you. The email comes from
‘Dunny’ Darrel, a Rotary member of a Queensland club who spends most of the
year in Cambodia with WOD.
support are completing the application form and the letter of participation. I
have copied an email below with photos for you. The email comes from
‘Dunny’ Darrel, a Rotary member of a Queensland club who spends most of the
year in Cambodia with WOD.
Greetings from Cambodia,
There was a touching moment last Friday. We had finished the installation of a toilet and after the handover, where one of the children showed us how well she could wash her hands, her mother became so emotional with gratitude. Her eyes moistened and she struggled with her words ‘Okun ’ - thank you.
It really touched my heart. Was it because:
- the family now had a hygienic toilet?
- there was now a washroom, a place of privacy for her and her children?
- no longer the shame she experienced every day when she was forced to defecate in the open?
- someone cared?
I was reminded again of just how much a proper sanitary toilet can change a family’s world.
Okun / thank you for caring.
Darrel