why we do it
Bridge in the remote north west of Kampong Thom on the way to Phum Svay and Phum Thnal. Image: Susie
working with the education system
We have trained a small group of teachers from within our schools to deliver workshops across the province . The sessions cover Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Menstrual Health Management (MHM), reproductive and sexual health and toilet infrastrucure maintenance and cleaning.
Brigid O'Keefe conducting a "train the trainer" workshop at the Teacher Training College. Image: Susie
WASH programme
"Every child has the right to quality education, which includes access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene...Children spend a significant portion of their day at school, where WASH services can impact student learning, health, and dignitiy, particularly for girls." UNICEF Data: Monitoring the situation of children and women. WASH in schools, May 2024
Thy inspecting new toilets and double sided hand washing facility with Principal of Kuok Nguong secondary school. Image: Susie
menstrual health mangement
"Without toilets, girls’ mobility is highly restricted during their menstrual cycle, most likely due to the stigma which often surrounds menstruation such as impurity, indignity and embarrassment...This study has shown that compared to boys, girls from grade 6 (approximately 13 years) are much more likely to drop-out of school and/or repeat a grade in poor WASH conditions, most probably due to the critical need for adequate toilet facilities during their menstrual cycle. This behaviour puts girls at risks of not completing basic education as shown in previous studies..." Agol & Harvey, 2018, Water Alternatives vol 11 issue 2, pg 284-296 https://www.water-alternatives.org/
inclusion
Alongside MHM, runningwaterproject is aiming to provide toilets that are inclusive of all people. " A study by UNESCO revealed wide disparities in enrolment. The largest gap was seen in Cambodia where the proportion of children with disabilities out of school is much higher than their peers without a disability; 1 in every 14 children without disabilities is out of school compared to 1 in every 2 children with disabilities." https://apa.sdg4education2030.org/sites/apa.sdg4education2030.org/files/2022-11/TOR_Disability%20Inclusive%20Education%20APWG.pdf
working in an international framework
Our aims are aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). By providing running water to toilets and hand washing basins, there is a reduction in communicable diseases that leads to greater attendance in school for students and teachers. Girls are more likely to attend school during menstruation.
‘Education…is a key to escape poverty’ (UN SDGs 2021).
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, 2021, ‘17 Goals to transform our world’, viewed 19 June 2021, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/.
world food progam
Many of the primary schools we have provided running water to are supported by the Word Food Programme. We plumb water to World Food Programme hand washing stations, school vegetable gardens and school kitchens for cooking student meals.
Kitchen Garden at Phum Svay. Image: Narith
World Food Program kitchen at Roussey Douch. Image: Narith
recycling
Thy started a simple plastic drink bottle recycling programme at Kampong Thom High School using galvanised wire cages. The bottles are collected by a commercial recycling company and the school earns money. Other schools have now implemented the same programme.
Kampong Thom High School. Image: Susie
how it all began with Teachers Across Borders
Over fifteen years from 2006 Susie presented workshops or led the Teachers Across Borders programmes in Kampong Thom. Along with a host of other Australian teachers they helped develop the capacity of the education system in two levels: ‘teaching teachers to teach’ pedagogy and methodology, within the Cambodian national curriculum; and developing a ‘train the trainer’ programme for Cambodian teachers to run workshops and programmes for each other.
Trudy and Kitty conducting a primary maths workshop with practicing teachers. Image: Susie
