“I am thrilled and so excited that I’m able to volunteer and working alongside the families in the village. I never expect that we can be of help. This is my very first social service, but I’m sure it’s not my last,” said Seak Sithorn, 3rd year Mar-keting major student from Mekong University in Siem Reap.

Continuing throughout October and Novem-ber, Habitat for Humanity Cambodia along with affiliated organizations joined together to celebrate and highlight the World Habitat Day in different projects areas. After the two events in Battambang and Phnom Penh in September and October, Habitat Cambodia once again as-sembled volunteers from different universities such as Build Bright University, Mekong Uni-versity and Pannasastra University. Commu-nity members also joined the activity in Pouk

District, Siem Reap Province.

Guided by Habitat for Humanity’s global theme for World Habitat Day 2012, “Many Homes, One Community,” this activity highlights the dynamic roles that safe, decent and affordable housing plays in community stabilization and development by demonstrating the importance of personal hygiene and cleanliness within homes and communities they live in.

“I had so much fun at the hygiene event with students from the local primary school and the community children. I had a chance to work together with my friends and other volunteers to teach the kids the significance of proper hy-giene in their daily lives. I was shocked that the kids did not know how to wash their hands and clean their bodies properly at first, but I was

I ssue 47 | 1 | December 2012

World Habitat Day Celebration Successfully Concluded

happy and proud at the end of the program that we were able to teach the children properly and successfully,” shared Eang Linda the student rep-resentative from Pannasastra University. “I’m more than excited to see a lot of hopeful chil-dren and happy that they can finally understand proper hygiene and sanitation. I find that this is such a useful program that really helps lead chil-dren and their families to live healthy lives,” she continued.

The volunteer activity in Siem Reap which con-cludes the “Clean Homes, Healthy Community” program has recruited over 150 volunteers from different local universities in Siem Reap to assist more than 29 families and over 100 students and community children with the house cleaning, community clean-up and hygiene event.

To maximize the opportunity to serve and to raise awareness on proper sanitation to the lo-cal students and community members, Habi-tat Cambodia also celebrated the World Toilet Day through a one-minute big squat with all the participants and villagers. The Big Squat is a symbolic mass activity that helps raise global awareness on the struggle that 2.6 billion people around the world face every day without access to proper toilets. World Toilet Day also brings to the forefront the health, emotional and psycho-logical consequences the poor endure as a result of inadequate sanitation.

Mr. Sor Sitheng, a professor and a leader of the students from Mekong University excitedly shared at the end of the program, “It is a very good program and I’m glad that my students had a chance to get involved in this event. I believe activities such as this will not stop within this

World Habitat Day group photo

I ssue 47 | 2 | December 2012

Top Stories

community given the commitment we gained from all our students. Community service will surely spread to other places and the sense of volunteerism amongst more youth. This activity

is not only teaching the community members, it is also a great way for our students to learn and to realize the real needs and the living condition of their own people. I’m looking forward to the

new opportunities to serve our communities, and I’m ready to encourage hundreds more stu-dents to volunteer for the next one with Habitat for Humanity Cambodia.”

I ssue 47 | 3 | December 2012

Top Stories

Housing Kits Distributed to Social Land Concession Beneficiaries

7,380 sheets of zinc were distributed to 123 families in 13 Makara, Chamkar Russey, and O’kcheay Villages, Prek Preaksdach district, Battambang City, Battambang on 14 Decem-ber by Habitat for Humanity and government partners.

With the housing kits the families are able to supplement their housing repair activities and complete the construction of new houses on their newly allocated legal land plots that they recently received along with the land certifi-cates. “The zinc sheets support many families in my village to finish the construction and repair of their houses. This also builds-up their confidence towards the process of land tenure distribution with a demonstration of the posi-tive movement of our project. It has been a long process, but we are happy about the delivery of tasks as we’ve seen today. I have strong faith in this project; it will surely be able to reach its goal of delivering secure land tenure to families like mine,” says Mr. Phon Pho the Community Leader in O’kcheay Village.

The project called Strengthening Civil Society Government Partnership to Deliver Secure Land Tenure began its work in Battambang in 2008 supported my Japan Social Development Fund through The World Bank. HFH Cam-bodia has made significant steps in leading the program by working closely with all levels of the government (national, provincial, municipal and commune) and strengthening awareness on Social Land Concession. The aim of this in-

novative project is to provide each existing fami-ly with a legal plot located about 2km South East of Battambang’s city center (the Garden Area). The World Bank funding has allowed the proj-ect to build three community Centers, 8 lines of road and drainage system along with some housing loans to support the water and electric-ity connection needs of the families at the end of the project.

So far, 99 concrete columns and 123 bam-boo columns have been marked to define the boundary of the legal land plots on the Social Land Concession areas. As a result, 80% of the

families have started building houses on the new legal land plot and the other 20% are in the pro-cess of completing their land filling and are get-ting ready for their own housing projects. The construction of new road and drainage system will start early 2013.

The housing kit distribution was attended by H.E Uy Ry, the Deputy Governor of Battambang Province, representatives from The World Bank, local authorities, local and international partner organizations and other community members in the villages. Each housing kit contained 60 zinc sheets.

H.E Uy Ry symbolically hands zinc sheets to home partners

I ssue 47 | 4 | December 2012

Highlights

New House Designs Dedicated Three new house designs have been added to the range of brick houses, wooden houses, and the hand-made soil block house that HFH Cambodia is offering its home partners. These new designs include the Modified House, the Garden House and the Big Roof House. 3 house models were constructed for two weeks by the US GV volunteer team in November headed by Neale Kemp, 2011 Asia Pacific Ne-hemiah Awardee for Distinguished Volunteer Service. The new house models provide fami-lies with more options in order to meet their needs and suit their capacities in the most cost-efficient ways.

Upon the completion of the build, the house leaders shared their thoughts about their ex-perience of building new house designs.

Neale Kemp on the Garden House: On his 9th volunteer experience with Habitat Cambodia said, “We are very excited about working on this new house designs. It has been challeng-ing since we were expected to work with new construction methods. I really like the con-cept behind the Garden House. The higher roof, air block along with additional doors and windows allow the family to be free from

heat during the daytime. Plus, this house adds value to the family - the shade, protection and more space for their privacy.”

“I love my new home so much. It has a lovely different look, it leaves my family an extra room with its second floor space. The small garden gives us fresher air ,” said Chhun Phearum during the house dedication.

Andy Cullen on the Modified House: On his 5th GV volunteer work with Habitat Cambodia, Andy shared, “It has been my honor to come back to support the Cambodian people once again, and this time I feel more special for a new chance to work on a totally new house design by Habitat Cambodia. This is a good indication, which means families are having more housing options. Before our arrival, I was a bit concerned about the challenges we might face, but things turned out positively. With the support from the skilled workers and Construction Supervisor, we were able to deal with our work effectively. I’ll absolutely come back to Cambodia and see how the fam-ily has made use of their new home and how this new design has served more families.”

Mern Oeun, a single mother, shared, “this is a beautiful design with a nice roof, open floor and space, which promises the my family the chance to build a second floor later.”

Ralph Ruocco on the Big Roof House“This is another great design idea with new materials added such as pressed cement board. I have no apprehension for the new design because the tasks are mainly related to the timberwork which I have plenty of expe-rience back at my hometown. Furthermore, the team and I are enjoying building this new house and we made good progress. I believe the family has many benefits from this design with the space provided; the new feature of mansion, and large space of poach that they can use for different purposes,” said Ralph during his 4th GV volunteer work with Habi-tat Cambodia.

“The house looks amazing to me and I really love it. I’m happy about the second floor, the big spacious shade from the big roof I have. I’ll take very good care of my house for my children,” said Try Than with a huge smile on her face.

Neale Kepm Andy Cullen

Garden House Modified house

Ralph Ruocco

Big Roof House during build clean-up

I ssue 47 | 5 | December 2012

Highlights

Skilled Workers’ Refresher Training

To ensure consistent quality of construction work of Habitat Cambodia skilled workers, a one day Refresher Training on Construc-tion Skills was organized by HFH Cambodia Construction team on December 26.

The objectives of the training are to demon-strate basic skills required of a skilled worker for an efficient and effective delivery of al-ternative solutions to housing needs, dem-

onstrate the values, habits and attitudes that contribute to a supportive, productive and safe working environment, and the applica-tion of skills in effective monitoring of con-struction systems and products.

“It was a really useful training. I regained and I am reminded of a lot of the things I learned before that I may miss out on during some contruction work, because I sometimes fo-cus too much on the construction work but not on preparation for the build site. I’m happy that I was given this chance to join the training again. I will make sure I remember everything I was reminded about and make sure that I practice all in every build,” shared Uy Sophon. The training was attended by 15 skilled workers and including HFH Cambo-dia Volunteer Program Unit.

Korea Securities Depository Helps Molopor Community, Andong

The Korea Securities Depository, KSD has chosen to team up with Habitat for Human-ity Cambodia in serving 2 families, 1 com-munity and a school in Andong, Phnom Penh early this month. Ten KSD employees came to Cambodia to represent their com-pany on its sponsorship.

The team worked together with Keo Sam-bath family in building one brick house and in the construction of a Community Center for Molopor Community, Khan Por Senchey. Apart from building, the KSD team donated a playground and assisted in the installation of materials in Kork Roka Primary School, which was also located in Malopor Commu-

nity. The team took the opportunity to en-rich their community service by organizing a Hand Washing Hygiene Promotion event which mainly educated the 150 school chil-dren and community people about the need for proper hygiene and sanitation.

The team’s commitment and hard work dur-ing the 4-day special build inspired the home partner and the community people to strive to better their living condition and to have new hope for the future. “I had so much fun working with the volunteers. They are very friendly and their help allowed me to build my house. This is an unforgettable experi-ence for my family and me. With our new

house, my family is now able to live happily, safely and healthily. Plus I’ll be able to reduce my expense that used to go towards rent and increase our savings,” said Keo Sambath.

GLoBAL VILLAGe TeAMS

Issue 47 | 6 | December 2012

Viva Volunteers

Global Village Wrap Up

November 10 to 24: A group of 23 members led by Neale Kemp worked with Habitat for Humanity and 3 home partners in com-pleting the building of three new model houses in Trapaing Anhchanh community, Posenchey District, Phnom Penh. The build was packed with challenges, but the team was able to accomplish all the construc-tion work needed to complete the three houses for the families. Everyone involved celebrated their achievements together in concluding the 2-week build after the dedi-cations.

November 17 to 23: A 16-member Global Village volunteer team from Korean Inter-national School built two houses for fami-lies in Bekchan Commune, Ang Snoul Dis-trict, Phnom Penh. After a week of working alongside the home partners, the Korean team was able to complete the build of one brick house and a concrete foundation for another house. The group had an emo-tional sharing during the house dedication and finished with a fun farewell lunch with skilled workers and home partners.

December 03 to 06: Members of the very first Malaysian team ever to come to Cam-bodia under the Global Village program say – “this won’t be the last.” The team showed commitment to serving the community people in need of hygiene and sanitation in Pouk District Siem Reap. During their build, the team from Sinclair Knight Merx Company was able to finish four latrines for the community members and celebrated to-gether with the community people and kids with lots of singing and dancing. The team was comprised of 12 members who were grateful for the experience and knowledge they gained about the needs in rural Cam-bodia.

December 10 to 15: A big group of students and teachers from Prince Alfred College School Australia worked with Habitat Cam-bodia in building safe and decent houses for

I ssue 47 | 7 | December 2012

Volunteer voice

two families in Bekchan Commune, Ang Snoul District, Phnom Penh. The team excit-edly worked alongside the home partners in building both brick houses. Apart from their brick laying and cement mixing tasks, the team also made sure they toured the city.

December 10 to 16: Another Korean Global Village volunteer team from the Korea Se-curities Depository came to support people in Molopor Community, Porsenchey Dis-trict, Phnom Penh. The team was able to ac-complish many tasks including completing the build of one brick house, a community center, a playground in Kork Rokar Primary School. The team also organized a hygiene and sanitation event in the school. The team happily celebrated their success with the skilled workers, students, homeowner and community people in Molopor Commu-nity. KSD has sponsored the building of 2 houses, a community center and a school playground.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Cambodia.

Be part of a Global Village volunteer team. Visit this site for more information:

http://www.habitat.org/gv/

I ssue 47 | 8 | December 2012

Special Feature

Upcoming events and

Legal Holidays

HFH Cambodia Celebrates the Yuletide Holidays

SQUAT for World Toilet Day, Siem Reap

Please join HFH Cambodia in welcoming Oep Oann our newest Program Manager based in Siem Reap. Oann brings with him years of experience working with environ-ment conservation programs.

Please contact Oep Oann at oep_oann@habitatcambodia.org

New Faces

28 December – 06 JanuaryGlobal Village team from USA in Siem Reap

01 JanuaryInternational New Year

07 January Victory over Genecide Day

13 – 27 JanuaryGlobal Village team from Canada in Siem Reap

14 – 26 JanuaryGlobal Village team from Korea in Phnom Penh

15 – 19 JanuaryGlobal Village team from China in Phnom Penh

18 – 27 January Global Village team from Australia in Phnom Penh

or Kun!

Join HFH Cambodia’s Social Media Network! Become a Fan or join our Cause on Facebook http://www.causes.com/causes/260473-habitat-for-humanity-cambodia

Follow Habitat Cambodia Tweets http://twitter.com/#!/HabitatCambodiaVisit our website http://www.habitatcambodia.org

HFH Cambodia address: #35Bis, St. 478, Phsar Duem Tkov Commune, Chamkar Mon District, Phnom Penh City, P.o Box: 2452 Phnom Penh 3Tel/Fax: (855) 23 997 840

e-mail: info@habitatcambodia.org

Habitat for Humanity AUSTRALIA

Habitat for Humanity GReAT BRITAIN

Habitat for Humanity NeW ZeALAND

Habitat for Humanity CANADA

SAN GABRIeL VALLeY Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity MALAYSIA

UNIVeRSITY oF PITTSBURG Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of ST VRAIN VALLeY

WeSTMINSTeR CoLLeGe Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity GeRMANY

HoNoLULU Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity SeATTLe-KING CoUNTY

CeNTRAL DeLAWARe Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity ANCHoRAGe

SAN DIeGo Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity International - USA Global Village Volunteers

Habitat for Humanity CHINA (Hong Kong)

Habitat for Humanity NoRTH CeNTRAL GeoRGIA

Habitat for Humanity HARDIN CoUNTY, Inc.

Habitat for Humanity Cambodia says thank you to our corporate and international partners and our affiliate tithe donors.

Together, we will continue improving lives and building communities in Cambodia.

The Charitable Foundation, elton John AIDS Foundation,

International Children’s Care Australia, World Bank,

Japan Social Development Fund, Asian Development Bank,

Paul and Aileen Munn, World Vision Cambodia, and

Guernsey overseas Aid Commission

Pannasastra University of Cambodia, Build Bright University,

Royal University Phnom Penh, University of Cambodia,

Collaborative Studio, Mekong University, Fulbright and Undergradu-

ate State Alumni Association of Cambodia

U N I V e R S I T I e S A N D S C H o o L P A R T N e R S :

A F F I L I A T e D o N o R S :

I N T e R N A T I o N A L P A R T N e R S :

C o R P o R A T e P A R T N e R S : ANZ Royal Bank, Khmer Solar, Davies Paints Philippines, Hotel

Cambodiana, Korea Cadastral Survey Corporation, BUNGe,

SC Johnson, Korea Securities Depository

Habitat for Humanity GReATeR LoS ANGeLeS

Habitat for Humanity GReATeR LoWeLL

Habitat for Humanity GReATeR BoSToN

Habitat for Humanity eAGLe & LAKe CoUNTIeS

Habitat for Humanity INLAND VALLeY

Habitat for Humanity DeSeRT FooTHILLS

Habitat for Humanity NoRTH WILLAMeTTe VALLeY

Habitat for Humanity DoUGLAS CoUNTY

Habitat for Humanity MeTRo DeNVeR

Habitat for Humanity MeTRo WeST / GReATeR WoRCeSTeR

Habitat for Humanity WeST HAWAII

Habitat for Humanity oAKLAND CoUNTY, MI

WeST PASCo Habitat for Humanity

ST. JoSePH Habitat for Humanity, Mo

Habitat for Humanity GReATeR BIRMINGHAM

Habitat for Humanity GUAM

Daimler Financial Services, GeRMANY

Habitat for Humanity CINCINNATI

Habitat for Humanity of eAST KING CoUNTY

L o C A L P A R T N e R S : Khemara, Maryknoll, Sharing experience for Adapted experi-

ence, Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope, Save the Children