A young girl in Cambodia comes to faith in Jesus Christ through a clean water project.
When dry season arrived in Cambodia, Chivy’s* family did not expect to spend nearly a month suffering from a stomach illness. Chivy, 11, and her siblings missed school because they were sick. Her parents were also sick and couldn’t work. The family’s meager savings quickly dried up as they struggled to recover.
All of these hardships came because the family lacked a clean water source. When the rains stopped, and the small pond near their home filled with waste, it remained their only option for drinking, washing, and cooking. Chivy and her family knew they would face illness again unless something changed.
No Longer Sick
Chivy now has clean drinking water at school.
The first glimmer of hope for a different, brighter future came when a Samaritan’s Purse team arrived in their village. At Chivy’s school our team built a community biosand water filter, which can can meet the daily water needs of more than 300 people.
Our team also built a four-room latrine and several hand-washing stations at the school.
This was the first time that Chivy and her classmates had access to clean drinking water and hygienic latrines. With the support of school staff, our team also taught the students about health and hygiene practices.
“After learning about how they could improve their health, the students changed their habits quickly—especially Chivy,” said Chann, a Samaritan’s Purse staff member. “She is a bold advocate for clean water, hygiene, and sanitation in her community.”
Chivy’s family is healthier because of what they learned through our water and hygiene project.
Chivy’s life is now very different. She understands the importance of using clean water and washing her hands regularly, and she helps clean the latrine alongside her classmates.
“Chivy no longer gets sick, and her studies are much better than before,” Chann said.
Chivy taught her parents everything she learned at school about clean water and good hygiene. Her parents have built a latrine near their home and received a household water filter from Samaritan’s Purse. Now, Chivy’s entire family is healthier.
New Life in Christ
Samaritan’s Purse staff had the opportunity to share the Gospel with Chivy and many of her classmates as they taught health and hygiene lessons.
“Chivy realized God’s plan for her life. She accepted Jesus as her Savior,” Chann said. “She shows God’s love to her classmates. Her principal has seen how she treats others, and he is grateful for her.”
We praise God for what He has done in Chivy’s life. We pray that many more children around the world will receive the gift of clean water and the eternal hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
*Name changed.
Please pray for the children of Cambodia. Pray that they will come to know Jesus Christ, the Living Water.
