Many schools in Cambodia lack access to clean water and adequate facilities for personal hygiene. The water from existing wells is often contaminated with bacteria, parasites and chemical residues from agricultural activities. To add to the problem, the number of latrines and hand-washing stations is often insufficient for the number of students. This leads to open bowel movements and children attending class with dirty hands. In Cambodia, almost 50% of schools do not have safe water supplies and 30% do not have adequate toilets. Research shows that lack of access to these facilities encourages absenteeism and increases the dropout rate, especially among girls.

“The most important thing we have is our health. When people are healthy, they can do anything. ” - Director Chan

This is the concept:

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BioSand filter system

Our high-capacity BioSand filter system filters 180-250 liters of water per hour. The BioSand filtration process removes up to 96% of E-Coli, 100% of protozoa and helminths, 50-90% of organic and inorganic toxins. The tanks in which the filter system is located are made from recycled material and have a service life of 15 years. Then the tanks can be exchanged and the BioSand filter medium moved into the new tanks. Each of these filters can provide clean water for drinking and hand washing for up to 1000 people.

Latrine building with 6 cabins

Our six-cabin latrine building provides adequate sanitation to rural schools with large numbers of students. Each latrine building has six private cubicles with flush toilets. This provides a sanitary toilet solution for the students and the school staff. The latrine building is divided into two sides to provide three cabins for each gender. There is also a hand washing station on each side. The school has to provide a 500 liter water tank for the water needs of the latrine buildings.

Hand washing station

Our hand washing stations in the main school courtyard enable a large number of students to wash their hands in a short period of time. Clear Cambodia offers soap and towels for the first year and pays 50% of the cost of soap and towels for the second year.

Waste incineration plant

Proper disposal of waste is often difficult in rural communities. Our waste incineration plants help communities burn waste safely and reduce smoke pollution by concentrating waste and enabling faster, hotter incineration.

Hygiene curriculum

Our hygiene curriculum gives schools and teachers the tools to change the hygiene habits of their students. By educating the children, we also influence the habits of the student families. Students who become familiar with proper hygiene see first results and share their knowledge with their parents and relatives.

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Hygiene Education, Water and Food Safety Curriculum

Students are taught about the dangers of drinking unfiltered or uncooked water and about safe food storage practices to prevent food poisoning.

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Hygiene and personal hygiene

Children are shown the importance of using a latrine, how to keep the latrine hygienic, how to wash your hands, and how to wash your hands with soap.

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Monthly hygiene

Older female students are trained in the proper use of hygiene and hygiene related to the menstrual cycle.