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What's In It For You
Below is the majority of a letter we received from a former volunteer that I thought you may find interesting. Volunteers play a vital role in the successful implementation of Trailblazer's work. We thank everyone who has volunteered with us over the past almost 20 years now.
"Hello, my name is Dominico, I am writing this letter to show m
Below is the majority of a letter we received from a former volunteer that I thought you may find interesting. Volunteers play a vital role in the successful implementation of Trailblazer's work. We thank everyone who has volunteered with us over the past almost 20 years now.
"Hello, my name is Dominico, I am writing this letter to show my gratitude for being able to participate in your water filtration project. Your program was much more accessible for volunteer participation than many other international non-profit organizations…. because it shows your desire to obtain whatever help or resources you can to accomplish your humanitarian efforts…. to provide aid in the most effective way possible.
Letter continued...
Working with the locals was a lot more engaging than doing the work at home, isolated from the culture that is actually using the provided aid. Understanding that locals were employed to stimulate development in the area was a noteworthy feature of the program….. I also valued that volunteers could participate in all st
Letter continued...
Working with the locals was a lot more engaging than doing the work at home, isolated from the culture that is actually using the provided aid. Understanding that locals were employed to stimulate development in the area was a noteworthy feature of the program….. I also valued that volunteers could participate in all stages of development, even delivery. While being educational and allowing you to see the impact of your actions on the lives of Cambodian families, it also gives a sense of transparency that makes the mission statement seem credible and honest.
Thank you, immensely, for this rare opportunity. The reward has helped me have a grasp on the disconnection of cultural understanding."
FROM OUR RECIPIENTS
Mrs. Rihampol lives with her husband and child, a five-year-old boy, in extremely poor conditions in a village an hour north of Siem Reap. Even by rural Siem Reap standards, this is a deprived area of the country.
Our Board member, Justine Auton and Mr. Sor Ratanak, our Field Director for Trailblazer Angkor, stopped in to have a chat with
Mrs. Rihampol lives with her husband and child, a five-year-old boy, in extremely poor conditions in a village an hour north of Siem Reap. Even by rural Siem Reap standards, this is a deprived area of the country.
Our Board member, Justine Auton and Mr. Sor Ratanak, our Field Director for Trailblazer Angkor, stopped in to have a chat with Mrs. Rihampol after seeing a Trailblazer biofilter next to her house. Mrs. Rihampol shyly agreed to talk to Justine.
Mrs. Rihampol is young, maybe 20, and her life experiences have been exclusively in this village. She was born here, did some schooling here and married here. She lives much the same life, in the same state of poverty, that her own mother did.
In 2016 Laura and Conor Nelson, supporters of Trailblazer from Minnesota, USA, donated a biofilter and their filter ended up with this family. The filter stands in pride of place next to water pump and it is very well cared for.
Justine asked Mrs. Rihampol about the filter, which is shared with a neighbor.
“The water tastes good!” was the much-repeated response. “The water from the pump tastes bad, but after it goes through the filter it tastes so good. Even if the water I put into it is very dirty, it comes out clean.”
Justine asked about the impact the filter had had on the family.
“One month after we started drinking the clean water my little boy stopped being sick and we all stopped having diarrhea. We don’t have a latrine. It was very bad before…. being like that. We use the water for drinking and for cooking.”
How had the family come to have a filter?
“We had got the water pump before and had heard of filters. We asked the Chief to get one. We paid US$3 which took us two weeks to save up.”
Justine asked Mrs. Rihampol what the most important thing was about the filter.
“It tastes so good! I’ve had water from other filters but this one is the best!”
Pictured is the family home and Mrs. Rihampol proudly showing her filter to Justine.
