Cambodian Well Project - Water for a Better Life

During a trip to Southeast Asia in January 2008, former Iowa Chapter president, Glenn Vondra and his wife Diana, had the good fortune to make the acquaintance of a remarkable young man in Cambodia by the name of Khin Po-Thai. Thai works as a guide and does commentary for the National Geographic Channel when they do a piece in that part of the world, and in addition is the founder and administrator of a local project called “Water for a Better Life”.

This project's sole purpose is to construct hand pump fresh water wells for impoverished families and their children and is sponsored by a private fundraising organization.

Cambodia is a beautiful but very poor country which has not fully recovering from the Pol Pot genocide where nearly one half of the population was murdered. Clean water is still a very precious commodity and most people dip their drinking, cooking and bathing water from polluted wells and waterways. Up to one third of the children die from waterborne diseases such as typhoid and chronic diarrhea.

The Iowa Chapter SCI is becoming involved with the people of Cambodia and is providing funding for clean water wells. So far, the Chapter has five new wells in operation and will be providing funds for more wells in the future. Each well serves several families in remote villages and consists of a hand pump, concrete platform with curb, and a sign identifying the Iowa Chapter of Safari Club International as the donor of the well. Construction of the wells also provide much needed employment for the local people.

The project is currently active in villages around the Siem Reap region of Cambodia, but is starting to move to other areas of the country. The families who get to use clean water have a minimal incidence of water related diseases, and hopefully, the Chapter can do a small part in helping the children have a healthy life.

Your donations will provide clean water for the children of Cambodia and their families. 100% of funds raised will go towards the construction of fresh water wells. Each well costs $300.

If you would like to help, please

     - click here to print form to mail with check
          - or email Glenn Vondra or Nels Spevak for details.