In O’Kralanh village, Kralanh district, a dedicated community volunteer group known as the PASSA team, led by Som Saeng, has recently completed a vital infrastructure project—a new 900-meter by 5-meter road that now shields villagers from seasonal flooding and enhances accessibility during the rainy season.
Sam Seang has been a PASSA volunteer for nearly a decade. Initially, he never imagined committing so many years to the team, but witnessing the transformation in his community has fueled his passion to continue. Through Habitat Cambodia’s training, he has gained invaluable knowledge on climate change, housing resilience, livelihoods, and community sustainability. One of the team’s greatest achievements before this project was constructing a water catchment system, which provided the village with a more reliable water source for agriculture and daily needs.
Most recently, through the Conditional Cash Transfer project, Habitat Cambodia granted $2,000 to Okrolanh village for road construction. Although this amount was not completely insufficient to cover all expenses, the community united, contributing an additional $300, bringing the total to $2,300. With this budget, the PASSA team successfully elevated and built a 900-meter by 5-meter stretch of road by the end of 2024. Villagers also volunteered their labor, helping to reduce costs and foster a deeper sense of ownership over the project.
The results have been transformative. Farmers are now able to get their harvests to the market more effectively, and children can reach school without navigating through muddy, flooded trails. Additionally, this project taught an important lesson about community involvement. At first, some villagers were reluctant to participate, unsure of the value of their contributions alongside the grant from Habitat. The PASSA team recognized the need for clear communication and educating residents about self-help principles, which helped cultivate stronger support for future initiatives.
Mrs. Chhoun, 73, a beneficiary of the new road, shared her deep gratitude. “I can’t even put into words how happy I am,” she said. Before the road was built, she had to rely on a boat to reach the main road during the rainy season and constantly worried about her grandchildren’s safety on their way to school. Now, she can easily travel to the health center without battling muddy paths and ride her motorbike with confidence, no longer fearing slips and falls.
This road benefits three villages directly and another five villages indirectly, impacting approximately 300 families. Beyond construction, Sam Seang has emphasized the importance of road maintenance, encouraging villagers to keep it clean and repair any damages so it remains in good condition for years to come.
“If we come together to take care of this road, it will serve us for generations,” Sam Seang shared. He believes that all Cambodian citizens have the motivation to contribute to society, and even small contributions can lead to transformative change. He encouraged people in the community to think about the public good first. So that they can lend a hand, do it—because collective effort is what drives sustainable development in our communities.
