House Construction Project in Cambodia

Whist COVID has prevented some of our school groups from travelling overseas to engage in educational tours, it is still possible for school groups to continue their community service work from afar, as is the case with St Peters Lutheran College in Queensland, Australia.

For the last 10 years, Year 11 students from St Peters Lutheran College have regularly travelled to Cambodia to engage in highly successful, collaborative community service projects assisting disadvantaged communities. Whilst the students’ 2020 trip was postponed, the students nevertheless still managed to raise funds at a school golf event and by selling food and beverages at an athletics event in Brisbane. These funds were subsequently used to construct a dwelling in Cambodia just before the wet season began in May.

Tour coordinators Maria Liveris and Murray Paterson suggested that even though they could not physically be in Cambodia, the country is still at the front of their minds due to the friendships developed over the years and the wonderful experiences that students have had under Student Educational Adventure’s guidance.

As with all projects of this nature, the local authorities were consulted to identify the community and family most worthy of receiving a new dwelling. The decision was based on several factors, including the family’s health, living conditions, and potential to earn an income.

In recent times, Student Educational Experiences has moved away from overseeing the construction of timber structures in Cambodia to more sustainable bricks homes that require fewer repairs and are generally more resilient structures.

While school groups would usually spend three days in the village helping local tradespeople to build the dwelling, this time, the local tradesmen spent nearly one month constructing the dwelling. The local building team lacked the assistance of what has in the past been a very efficient and motivated group of young people to assist. Whilst a successful build by all accounts, the villagers remarked that they missed the usual interaction with the Australian students this year.

Photo: The original family home in Ronn Village, Banteay Srei District, Siem Reap.

Instead of saving their meagre wages for years to purchase a new house, this family from Banteay Srei District can now spend their limited savings on other necessities. The family recently purchased a small second-hand cart to transport and sell coconuts around the community bring in additional income. With their extra income, they can afford to pay for their children’s education. Due to the sturdy new brick home, the family’s health and well-being have improved significantly, and the children can attend school regularly, even during the wet season.

Photo: Construction of the new brick house in early April 2021.

Photo: The husband and wife inspect the completed new brick house.

Photo: Mr Sornn Sok and his family now live in their new home with their recently purchased cart to transport coconuts (micro business).

When St Peters Lutheran College return to Cambodia in the future, travelling students and staff will visit this family to see exactly what their fundraised monies have helped create. Mr Sornn Sok (the father) has already invited the schools’ next group to visit their new brick house, where he will say thank you in person and offer coconuts to one and all.

There are several other similar families near Siem Reap in need of support. For interested schools wanting to undertake a community service project (from afar for now), we could provide you with photos and a biography of each family’s living conditions.