CLEAN WATER, BRIGHTER FUTURES: HOW ONE SCHOOL IN CAMBODIA IS TRANSFORMING ITS COMMUNITY
Cambodia
This World Water Day, we’re celebrating how a community water project, funded by Guernsey Aid and delivered by UWS Cambodia, is reshaping a school, a village and providing 1,000 litres of safe drinking water every 20 minutes!
At a school in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia, a row of bright blue water tanks now stands beneath a sturdy red roof – a system built not just to deliver clean water, but to transform daily life.
Why Clean Water Transforms Education
Wherever children live the presence – or absence – of clean water shapes their entire school experience. Without safe water, children regularly fall ill from waterborne diseases; girls often spend hours collecting water instead of learning; and schools struggle to offer even basic hygiene, affecting health, impacting attendance and concentration.
Today, the picture is completely different. The new Bio Sand filtration system is large, purpose-built, and engineered for long-term community use.
It produces a huge 1,000 litres of safe drinking water every 20 minute – That’s 36,000 litres of clean water in 12 hours
The system generates enough water each day to serve not only the school but the wider village.
Everyday Life Has Already Changed
With the water system now open, the children now drink clean water throughout the school day, and no longer need to carry heavy water containers from home with them.
Teachers lead regular WASH activities, helping students build habits that protect their health for life. Attendance is rising, and children are more focused – a reminder of how education is shaped by the conditions that surround it.
The new system is also easing pressure on families across the village. Clean water is now available to the whole community at a small, affordable cost – with the price of 20 litres dropping from 5,000 KHR (£0.93) to just 500 KHR (£0.09). It’s a 90% saving, making safe water accessible for everyone.
For the first three months, water will be provided free while families adapt. After that, the small fee will be managed openly by the School Management Committee, with every riel reinvested directly into maintenance. This ensures the system stays reliable, community‑owned, and sustainable for years to come.
Community-Led from the Start
What makes this project especially powerful is the way it was built.
Over three days, the school principal, a teacher, members of the School Management Committee, the village chief, and a volunteer team worked alongside UWS technicians to install the system.
They learned how to monitor water flow, carry out routine checks, and fix minor issues, giving them the confidence and skills to manage the system long after installation.
Thanks to Guernsey Aid’s support and the dedication of local leaders, the school now has safe drinking water, better hygiene, and a stronger, healthier foundation for learning. Children can concentrate on what truly matters: growing, discovering, and shaping their futures.
This World Water Day, we are reminded of a simple truth: Clean water makes education possible – and education changes everything.
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