Home > Projects > O Rung Water Project
"I now feel relieved from fearing that my children might drown." - Norn
O Rung
O Rung, Cambodia, Asia
GPS: 13.7408, 104.3579
Clean Water, New Life: Norn's Story
For decades, Norn and her family gathered drinking water from a pond far away. It was badly contaminated, and life was a daily challenge.
Today, everything is different. Norn, her husband, Buntee, and their four children drink safe water from a Lifewater well. Norm cares for them and raises chickens while her husband works on a farm nearby.
"I am no longer tired from fetching water far away," she said. "I can have more time with my children."
The children are healthy; they're able to run and play and focus on their schoolwork. Another benefit of the safe water well is the ability to clean.
"My children can take a bucket shower and do laundry at the well," Norn said. "We have enough water now for bathing, washing, and home gardening."
Before, the whole family bathed at the pond. Not only was it unclean, but unsafe.
"I now feel relieved from fearing that my children might drown," Norn said.
With safe water and sanitation practices, families like Norn's are transformed. You can be a part of a transformation story. Sponsor a water project today, and follow along to see your impact.
Life in O Rung: Tee's Story
Ever since her husband left to become a monk, Tee has raised her eight children by herself. Now, those children have children, and Tee is always overburdened.
"Because there is not enough to eat, I've been having sleepless nights for these last few months," she said. "Last night, I couldn't sleep so I got up at 1 a.m. and hoed, flattening the back yard until dawn."
With such a large family, there is great need for water, and everyone takes turns riding the family bicycle to the pond. It is a thirty-minute trip, and Tee's family makes the journey many times in a day.
"The road to get the water is steep," she said. "Sometimes, we stumble and slip."
The water is badly contaminated with insects, human and animal feces, and harmful bacteria. Tee's children and grandchildren are sick often, meaning the family must use their income on medicine and treatments at the health clinic.
"Our small children and grandchildren often have diarrhea, dizziness, fever, and blisters," she said.
All eight of the children but one have dropped out of school to work and help support their family. The child who is still in school is in fourth grade.
"I have no hope… I only live day by day," the mother of eight said.
Tee loves her family, but she is struggling to find purpose in a life of extreme poverty and sickness.
With safe water close by, Tee's family can save money on health care costs. They can save time on bike rides to the pond and use that time to invest in their futures.
You can help Tee's family and others is O Rung village today. Your gift will provide health training for each household, plus a new, safe water source near their village.
Sponsor O Rung village today.
O Rung is in a very remote region of Cambodia
Here's the Plan for O Rung:
O Rung has selected water committee members to manage the safe village water source. Forming a water committee is a key step toward establishing a safe water source in a village. Committees are made up of local men and women who manage the well and collect fees, ensuring the community's investment lasts for generations to come.
Work is officially underway to build a new water source for O Rung village. Our local teams are using technology appropriate to the region and geography to ensure the new water source is sustainable.
Great news! O Rung is now a certified Healthy Village. That means the safe water source is complete and more than 90% of the community's homes are healthy. That is a new future for 300 children and families.
Contact me about O Rung
Get Progress Updates From O Rung
Follow along as the community of O Rung, Cambodia discovers health and hope.
Thank you for your interest in O Rung, Cambodia
Norn and one of her sons
Old, unsafe water source
Tee's family before receiving safe water
Tee's family at their home in O Rung village before receiving safe water