Habitat for Humanity Cambodia continues to build on its 30 months of experience in serv-ing families and orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) infected and affected by HIV/Aids through its second HIV, OVC-focused housing project, Building Homes, Building Positive Lives.

The 2-year project that started in May 2012 is funded by HFH Australia and aims to serve 140 vulnerable families from peri-urban vil-lages in Phnom Penh and Kandal province through improved shelter security, improved water and sanitation and by providing liveli-hood opportunities. This project involves a broad partnership with MaryKnoll, an NGO that provides expert medical and psychosocial support for PLWHA and OVC. The intergra-tion of shelter into HIV/Aids programming reinforces the importance of the catalytic

role that housing plays in turning lives around through secure housing, providing a level of protection especially among children and women. It also enables families to use their homes for micro enterprise activities and en-hances families’ living condition, providing them security from floods during the mon-soons and better access to water and sanitation facilities.

From its inception, the project has served 11 families like Thouen Visal-19 years old-who, since July, is finally reunited and living with his siblings in his new house and are together starting to build on the stronger hope that they gained upon owning their house. “I am very happy we now have our own house; my broth-ers and I are now starting to learn to save for our needs and especially for our little sister’s. I have stronger hope that we will have a better

I ssue 44 | 1 | September 2012

chance in life with our new home,” said Visal Visal and his siblings have been living apart since they were orphaned because of HIV/Aids and were supported by MaryKnoll through its foster care program. They moved to live in Phnom Penh under MaryKnoll’s care where they were able to continue their education, provided food and shared a de-cent shelter with other children who were also under the same program. As they grew, they had to be separated from each other to live with other orphans of the same age and gender.

With the building and provision of their own home, Visal and his siblings continue to re-ceive psycho-social support and guidance es-pecially his brother who is infected with HIV, who continues to undergo regular Anti-ret-roviral Treatments. These interventions help to build positive lives.

Project house repair activity in Oudong

Building Homes, Building Positive Lives

Family in a new home

Top Stories

I ssue 44 | 2 | September 2012

Top Stories

The three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) on Financial Education began on September 3 to further equip housing finance and program staff, and MFI partner with the knowledge they need to be able to capacitate more people on the theme “Improve Your Home, Improve Your Life”.

The training is part of Habitat for Humanity International’s global strategy of creating Fi-nance Education Impact through initiatives from the Global Financial Education Working Group. The training focuses on the transfer of knowledge and skills amongst trainers and then home partners in Following a Budget and Developing and Following a Savings Plan, which will eventually result into more fami-lies learning and actively demonstrating ac-tive savings, budgeting skills, responsible debt

management and ultimately, access housing improvement and/or housing finance.

In the recent ToT held in HFH Cambodia fa-cilitated by HFH AP, Housing Finance Man-ager, and HFH Cambodia Housing Finance Officer, the trainees were expected to be able to relate it to Habitat for Humanity, adapt and develop a new Financial Education Training guide for facilitators and home partners, and finally practice additional skills in adult learn-ing and facilitation.

During the session, fun exercises were used to allow the participants to easily and clearly understand the concepts, drive their potential to share knowledge to villagers and encourage them to openly share their ideas. Mr. Sok Serey, Program Manager for Phnom Penh Housing

and Community Development, shared after the training, “this training is really useful and it really helps in improving our staff capac-ity on housing finance. We now know how to assess families’ financial situations in villages we serve and work with. We are more confi-dent that we can better guide families in as-sessing their capacity before any loan.”

The financial training which aim to “Im-prove Your Home, Improve Your Life” was participated by HFH Cambodia staff, includ-ing Credit Agents, Community Organizers, Project Officers, and Cambodian Business Integrated in Rural Development (CBIRD), Habitat Cambodia’s MFI partner in its Bat-tambang Project.

Training activities

Financial Education ToT Preps HFH Cambodia and MFI partner

Another important achievement follow-ing the the awarding of land certificates to Social Land Concession beneficiaries in Battambang is signing of contracts with contractor for the building of infrastructure within the project site.

Khmer Décor Construction Co., Ltd won the public bidding for the construction of eight line road and drainage systems, and Keen Eye Investment and Consultant Co., Ltd as the provider of 300 housing kits. Another local supplier, named Phan Sreng Company, has been selected by the local authorities under HFH Cambodia’s close monitoring, to build three community cen-ters on the project site. All the suppliers were nominated based on the National Competi-tive Bid (NCB) and Project Implementation Manual (PIM) with approval from HFH Cambodia and its donor, The World Bank.

The construction of road and drainage sys-tems will kick-off early November this year and targeted to finish by end of February 2013. The distribution of housing kits will be in full swing this October. While the con-struction of community centers has started early this month.

All construction and distribution activities will take place in 13 Makara, O-Kcheay, and Chamcar Russey Villages, Prek Preahsdach Commune, Battambang City, Battambang province to serve benefiting families of Habitat Cambodia’s pilot demonstration project promoting the strengthening of civil society-government partnerships for the delivery of land tenure security in urban areas.

Another Step to Project Success

On August 23, HFH Cambodia conducted a consultation workshop on Low Cost Housing Design with home partner representatives, representatives from HIV/Aids-focused NGOs Maryknoll, Khemara, Sharing Expe-rience for Adapted Development (SEAD), and Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope.

The participants deliberated, discussed and provided feedback on the recent house de-signs based on key design principles, com-pared the quality and cost effectiveness of current house designs and proposed new designs and agreed on key effective design principles that will guide Habitat’s PLWHA/OVC housing project in Cambodia.

Low-cost House Design Consultation with PLWHA and OVC Similar to all of Habitat Cambodia’s pro-grams, the group along with the construc-tion and program team added the use of other construction materials for low cost housing after the workshop. Some examples are the use of metal frame instead of the wooden frame, sera board wall to replace wooden wall, cement block and compressed earth block, which are environment friendly substitutes to fire brick. Over and above this effort, HFH Cambodia maintains the home partners’ discretion in selecting the con-struction materials for their house.

“I think it is a good workshop because our home partners and partners were able to contribute their ideas, especially for home improvement. Some issues have been raised to us that are useful lessons we can pick-up and address in succeeding building activi-ties. We were also able to discuss and include new low cost materials in our construction list,” according to Mr. Pich Sovann, Program Officer for Building Homes, Building Posi-tive Lives Project.

I ssue 44 | 3 | September 2012

Highlights

Discussion on materials to be used

Cambodia Gears-up for World Habitat Day 2012

Habitat for Humanity’s theme for World Habitat Day 2012, “Many Homes, One Com-munity,” highlights the vital role that decent, affordable housing plays in community sta-bilization and development.

HFH Cambodia will take part in this world-wide campaign by partnering with people from schools, universities local associations and private companies to help through vol-unteering, sponsorship and to draw atten-tion to the need for safe, decent, affordable shelter for all through improvement of hous-ing situation, developing thriving and livable communities, encouraging growth of strong communities through Community Build-ing within their respective networks and through various channels. HFH Cambodia will have an early start with its World Habitat line of activities on September 29 in one of its project sites in Battambang where govern-ment, NGO partners and students will assist in the moving of project beneficiary houses to their formally allocated land plot. The

group will also help in repairing 2 houses.

Next is another activity in Phnom Penh called “Clean Homes, Healthy Communi-ties”, where local volunteers will be mobi-lized to assist Anlong Kong Village – an urban poor community located in Phnom Penh City – through house repairs and home cleaning, community clean-up. The community engagement activity will be on October 6 and will be concluded with a Hy-giene and Sanitation Promotion amongst community people. This activity also aims to demonstrate the importance of cleanliness within homes and surroundings amongst other communities. Habitat Cambodia will also receive support from various local me-dia and telecommunication companies for the promotion of World Habitat.

For more information, visit Habitat Cam-bodia facebook page https://www.facebook.com/habitat.for.humanity.cambodia or call 097 9923667 or 012 292936.

Global Village Wrap Up

June 27 to July 09: A dynamic Global Village team of fifteen members from Australia led by Mitchell Mackinnon came to build with HFH Cambodia and home partners.

During the week, the team was able to work on three different houses by completing the house foundations, house walls, and two toi-lets in Vimean Trung Community, Phnom Penh.

In addition to their build activities, the team also ventured around Phnom Penh and Siem Reap cities to understand more about the country’s majestic history and its promising present.

The team’s dedication was filled with laugh-ter and appreciation and was topped with songs and dances. The team happily hosted a simple but meaningful lunch party to pay tribute to their efforts, to thank the support of the skilled workers and to celebrate the families’ improved living.

Anne, a team member shared her building experience in Cambodia, “It was a well-or-ganized build. Plus the home owners were very appreciative. The community people were very welcoming and friendly. Last but not least, the skilled workers were very easy to work with. I will miss my time here in Cambodia and aim to come back sooner than later.”

Make a difference. Join Habitat for Humanity Cambodia as a Global Village volunteer, visit this site for

more information:

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

Foundation team

GLOBAL VILLAGE TEAMS

Viva VolunteersViva Volunteers

Issue 44 | 4 | September 2012

Getting better at brick laying

Just started Time to mix Level up the brick laying

Working on the front yard Presenting the best skilled worker Clearning the house

Piece of cake We can do it!

Big group shot Happy day! For good luck!

“I earn no income for being a Community Leader, but I’m happy to serve people with hope that my community will grow and have an even better situation in the future,” said Ms. Chum Sivorn, the 50-year old New Ho-listic Hope Community Leader since 2009.

After the closing of Steung Meanchey dump-site, Ms. Sivorn and her family was assisted by HFH Cambodia to voluntarily move and live in her new house in Oudong, Kandal province to start new lives.

With years of experience working with World Vision Cambodia Community Or-ganizers as a Community Facilitator and consultant in Stoeung Meanchey, there was no doubt about her being elected among other 40 candidates to be the Community Leader. “I was very happy. First I was able to get a new house to start for a better future, and then I became the Community Leader and given a chance to serve my people and provide as much support as possible even in

Leading and Learning

my small ways, ” shared Ms. Sivorn with so much delight as she recalls her moment.

As a Community Leader, Sivorn is involved in her community in many ways. She is ac-tive in the family selection processes and work hand-in-hand with Habitat Cambodia in checking if the families fit the selection criteria in the housing development pro-gram. She assists families in preparing legal applications with the local authority for legal settlement, and assist in sending children to proper schools.

“The work is not always that easy since we are dealing with human beings. However, I never consider giving up on my responsibili-ties, because I believe that trying hard will bring you success and this is my simple way of helping,” said Sivorn who is also very ac-tive in mediating and facilitating relation-ship issues amongst families in the com-munity and solving conflicts among them. Another mission she considers very impor-

Khmer Harvest Build

Issue 44 | 5 | September 2012

tant is to encourage the families to keep to their commitment in paying back their loans regularly in order for HFH Cambodia to use this fund to support other families that are also in need.

Chum Sivorn is one of HFH Cambo-dia’s home partners who moved to live in Oudong, in a row house in 2009. Like other Habitat Cambodia home partners, she was required to pay back her house loan within five years. Her payment was based on her monthly income. “Right now our commu-nity is accessible to the school, health center and proper roads, but I still believe that we can still do better in building the success of our community by communicating better amongst ourselves as responsible members and building more relationship with nearby communities to help each other improve,” Ms. Sivorn said with conviction.

Processing her house loan repayment Showing us her newly renovated house

Talking with community member

I ssue 44 | 6 | September 2012

Special Feature

It was almost lunch time, Toun Bunthon, Visal’s younger brother, was at the back of their house preparing food for his siblings. Visal’s familiar smile greeted us when he took a pause in cleaning some clutter left behind by his two younger siblings from playing inside before they started running outside. The house is well organized and very tidy. From its empty space after the dedication, it now has beds, a closet, a small grocery cabinet next to the small stove and a small chicken shed located right outside their door.

“My godfather and eldest brother, who both lived in the main city because of work, helped us arrange the house one weekend. They both come visit us on weekends. We take turns in tidying things as we really want to keep it clean,” said Visal with a big smile that simply implied how delighted he was when their cleanliness was appreciated.

“I can clearly remember working with the guests (Hope Jourmey participants). It was a wonderful moment in my life as well as my siblings. It is something I will never forget as I can still feel the love they shared and their kindness toward my family. They were a blessing to us.”

Visal has now moved to study at Chumpu Vorn High School, closer to his new home while his brothers and little sisters moved to Trapaing Anhchang Primary school. They only need to spend five minutes of walk to reach their school. Visal spends around 15 minutes every day biking to school. “I now have lots of new friends in school, and I met one of my old friends who used to study with me in my old school. I was so happy when I saw him again! My new school also has good teachers and the school environment is fresh,” shared Visal. Visal also happily shared that he has gained new friends in the community.

Visal and his other siblings moved from MaryKnoll’s foster care program to finally live together in their new house. Their move was gradual, within a month, after the construction as they each had to take care of enrolling to their new schools. They were very excited that they once again could reunite and support each other all the time. “As I said before I never thought I’d have my own house and that we would forced be living apart from each other after our mother died, but things are changing now. I’m able to see change hap-pening every day. I am studying hard, so I can get a good job after school to help my brothers and sister. I understand I have respon-sibilities, but I’m very happy,” Visal added.

Hope Journey Update

Sreynoch with her chick Bunthong on duty

Toun Visal

Lunch is almost ready

Visal with his brothers and sister in front of their house Helping each other prepare lunch Together at last

I ssue 44 | 7 | September 2012

29 SeptemberPre World Habitat Day Event in Battam-bang

01– 05 OctoberStrategy Planning in KEP

01– 05 OctoberConduct Training Needs Assessment for Chabpdeum Chivit Thmey (CCT) Project

06 OctoberWorld Habitat Day Event in Phnom Penh

08– 31 OctoberConduct Four Trainings to CCT Project Ben-eficiary in Phnom Penh and Prey Veng

15– 17 OctoberPchum Ben Days

29 OctoberCoronation Day

Special Feature

Upcoming Events and

Legal Holidays

Meng Nat’s husband’s health condition has become so much better. Meng Nat attributes this significant change to their new home. It has been almost three months since they moved to their house and husband Sin Sambo has not fallen ill since then. Meng Nat proudly shared that he is now able to fully help her in maintaining their home by taking care of their children and doing household chores like cooking their daily meals while Meng Nat works with her oldest son.

“I am pleasantly surprised with myself. My new home and the new environment we live in right now have made me healthier. I feel more energetic and hardly find myself get-ting weak,” said Sambo.

As soon as the house was finished, Meng Nat and the rest of her family made a quick move and lived in their new house just a day after the build. “It all happened so fast. Just about two weeks before we moved, the house only had its foundation filled. Then many people came here to build with us, get to know us and especially play with my children. Just few days after, I had my own house, a safer place, dry floor, a community with fresher air and a comfortable space for sleeping,” added Meng Nat with tears in her eyes.

Since Meng Nat’s husband can no longer work due to his mental illness, their eldest son helps her earn a living in one restaurant in the city, but her second daughter is now back to school. Meng Nat’s family no longer needs to pay rent and utilities, she is now able to save and plans to buy one motorbike to facilitate their transportation from home to work more easily. Her son, Panha however still plans, later in the future, to enter a vocational school where he wants to become a good cook. Their restaurant work has encouraged him to love in cooking.

“I cannot wait to go back to school. I’m a bit nervous because I haven’t been able to for many years and now I have to start all over again, but this is what I always wanted. I believe I’m going to do well in class, make friends and get good grade as I used to,” Sinat, Meng Nat’s daughter, shared as she excitedly awaits to be back in school mid next month.

“Our new home has brought me happiness and peace of mind I have never felt before. It helps me to reduce my worries about my children’s safety, their health including my husband’s and mine.”

Welcome Deniss Pilkevich from Latvia, who joins Habitat for Humanity Cambodia as Construction and Innovations Intern for six months. After six months, he will be able to complete his Master Degree in Humanitarian Action from University Col-lege Dublin.

Please contact Deniss at deniss@habitatcambodia.org

New Faces

Meng Nat

The family in front of their new house Meng Nat and her youngest daughter, Sinay

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

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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

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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, Norton University,

Build Bright University, Royal University School of Social Work,

University of Cambodia, Collaborative Studio

U N I V E R S I T I E S A N D S C H O O L P A R N T E R S :

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ence, Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope