Category: Case studies

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.

This Valentine’s Day, meet Ket Sour and Ri Yen, a resilient couple whose love has weathered life’s toughest challenges. After losing their fragile home, they dreamed of a better place for their family. Thanks to Habitat Cambodia, that dream came true.

Now, with a sturdy home, their children have room to thrive, and their love shines brighter than ever—proof that love is about resilience, partnership, and building a brighter future.

Story: 

A Love That Grows Stronger with a New Home

Ket Sour and Ri Yin beautifully capture the true meaning of love—one that grows stronger through life’s challenges and thrives with newfound hope. Living in the countryside with their three children, Sour and Yin, both in their mid-30s, have always worked tirelessly to provide for their family. Ket Sour, a construction worker, travels an hour by motorbike to his job site every day, while Ri Yin worked as a farm laborer before the birth of their youngest child. Together, they earn around $150 a month, a sum that often falls short of meeting their family’s needs.

Their struggles deepened when their small, fragile house collapsed last year, leaving them homeless and forcing them to seek temporary shelter with relatives. “I was in the hut when it collapsed with my little baby girl. Luckily, the house was small and short, so no one was hurt,” Ri Yin recalls.

They lived under their relative’s roof for years until they received a new, sturdy home built by Habitat Cambodia and a team of global volunteers. Today, their story is one of hope and happiness. Ket Sour and Ri Yin now have a new, secure home—a place they could only dream of before. “We no longer worry about the roof collapsing or the rain soaking us,” says Ri Yin. “Our children have more space to play and grow, and we feel safe and secure.”

Their love for each other and their family shines brighter than ever. Committed to providing their children with a better future, including a full education, they have also promised to care for their new home, keeping it clean and strong for years to come.

Their journey reminds us that love isn’t just about romance—it’s about resilience, partnership, and building a brighter future together. Their new home has become the foundation for their dreams and a lasting symbol of their enduring love. This Valentine’s Day, their story reminds us that love flourishes in a safe and stable home. Their journey is a testament to resilience, partnership, and the importance of working together for a brighter future.

Rem has lived with a disability for over 30 years after stepping on a landmine in the rice fields. Despite using a walking stick, she has worked hard to support her 13 children, especially after her husband’s passing.

Before receiving help from Habitat Cambodia, Rem and her 11 family members lived in a cramped, leaky 4×4 meter hut. Now, in a new, larger home, their quality of life has improved. Rem is thrilled her children and grandchildren have space to sleep comfortably, allowing her to save money on repairs.

Referred to the Tith project by Wind Rock NGO, Rem’s family is classified as ID poor 2.With the funds from Tithe, the family received a brand new house, a toilet innovation, and electricity connection in October 2023. After moving into the new home, she has felt a significant improvement in her well-being. Living in a sturdy house like others in the village has made her happier and she feels safer as the construction is strong enough to protect her and her family from rain and harsh weather. She mentioned, “In the past, whenever it rained, I couldn’t sleep because the house was leaking, and I feared collapsing. So, we all needed to run out to seek a neighbor to sleep. Now I can sleep all night because the construction keeps my family warm and safe.” She also expressed “without the support of this project, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to build my own house as my income is sometimes not enough for food.”

Heng’s life underwent a significant transformation after her family received a new home built by Habitat for Humanity Cambodia, thanks to the Building Resilient and Empowered Community project and the efforts of dedicated Global Volunteers. Previously, Heng and her family of five lived in a dilapidated hut made of old zinc sheets, which lacked even a proper door or lock, providing neither safety nor comfort. Struggling to afford daily meals, Heng had never imagined having a secure and decent house.

Today, Heng’s family resides in a tall, sturdy home with a spacious veranda where she enjoys sitting and relaxing. The new house provides a safe space for her children to play underneath and includes a proper toilet, greatly improving their living conditions. Grateful and proud, Heng and her husband make an effort to keep the house clean, often welcoming neighbors who come to socialize with them.

Heng expresses her love for her new home, noting that she has planted colorful flowers around the house and corn to earn extra income. “This house is beautiful in every way,” she shares. “It has doors and windows that I can lock. Unlike my previous home, which lacked locks and left my valuables unprotected, I now feel secure. When my husband goes fishing at night and I’m at home with our little kids, I no longer worry about our safety.”

Before receiving a new house from Habitat, Chhit Rem and her daughter lived in an old hut built on the ground from wood and tree leaves. Their house was small and short, offering little protection from the extreme heat during the dry season. In the rainy season, things were even worse as the walls began to rip off, and the roof had so many holes that they would get soaked during heavy rain. Aside from the severe weather, Rem always worried about her daughter’s security, as the house walls were not strong and could easily be broken into.

Now, their living situation is completely different, and they are overjoyed to have received a tall and spacious house. The new house not only provides enough space for her daughter to study but also makes them feel much more secure from the weather and potential theft.

After receiving a new home built by Habitat Cambodia, Chhit Rem feels a sense of security she has never experienced before. Her previous house had no lock, making her constantly worried for her and her daughter’s safety. As a single mother raising Sonita alone, safety was always a concern.

Despite earning less than $80 per month, Rem is determined to support her daughter’s education, hoping she will graduate from college and secure a good job. No matter the hardships, she ensures Sonita never goes to bed hungry. A hardworking mother, she grows vegetables around her home for both sustenance and extra income.

Rem takes great pride in her home, decorating it with flowers and upcycled materials she collects from the streets. She keeps it immaculately clean, sweeping daily as if expecting a visitor at any moment.

Receiving a new home has been one of the greatest gifts in Rem’s life. She shared, “There are five things I truly love about my house. First, it is strong and sturdy. Second, the design is modern and beautiful. Third, it has a heat protection sheet to keep it cool. Fourth, the lock and solid walls provide security. Lastly, I love the design of the wooden stairs.”

Her daughter, Sonita, also expressed her joy, saying, “With this new home, I finally have a proper place to sleep and study. The walls are strong and fully covered, so there are no more leaks. I feel safe and protected.”