Building houses in Cambodia

Lyn Schwan, a Perth member of MCH, tells a touching tale of her contribution to a an exciting development project.

I was introduced to the Tabitha work in Cambodia in May this year through friends in Lancelin – a fishing village 100ks north of Perth.

Barbara and Kevin were gearing up for their third trip to build houses and spoke enthusiastically about the enjoyment and satisfaction they got from joining about 25 others from various walks of life, and from all around the globe, to participate in a house-building program.  It sounded like a good idea so, after being accepted into this particular team, I set about trying to raise some additional funds.

Each team member pays their own fares and accommodation and you are also asked to contribute $350 towards the cost of a house.  However, with each house costing around $1200, I felt this would be a good additional target.  Little could I imagine the amazing generosity of my friends and relations, and I took off for Cambodia in July with nearly $4000!

Cambodia is one of the world’s poorest countries – and life for the poor is bleak.  Few have permanent housing, access to potable water, healthcare or even the most basic education.

The dehumanisation of the Khmer Rouge period is perhaps one of the most complete in history. Entire extended families were wiped out, possessions and savings lost and the humanity of those remaining alive was totally obliterated. Recent estimates put the number of Cambodians who died at the hands of the Khmer Rouge, starvation, overwork, diseases and execution at around two million, or almost 25 per cent of the then population. 

A non-profit community development organisation targeting the poorest of the poor, Tabitha Cambodia was started by an amazing Canadian, Janne Ritskes, in 1994. 

At the heart of Tabitha is the innovative use of savings as a development tool and a self-sustaining model of funding through cottage industries. Participating families typically take three to five years to pass through the Tabitha program – at which point they will have progressed from absolute poverty to owning a permanent house, sending their children to school and having regular income through ownership of one or more small businesses.

The house-building program has mushroomed since it was started by a number of Janne’s friends anxious to support her work.

Janne’s idea was to show Cambodians that many people did care about their well-being and were keen to help put them back on their feet.  So rather than just slowly, over a period, save and raise enough money to get local builders do the whole job, Janne felt it important that the Cambodian people see that foreigners cared about their well-being and were willing to come and work alongside them to improve and enhance their lives.

Most of the house-building takes place in the provinces where a typical house is approximately 3m square, built from cane with thatch or palm fronds, and with a dirt floor that is dusty in the dry season and flooded in the wet. 

In July, we worked in Kep (Kampot Province), a four-hour bus trip from Phnom Penh, and built 14 houses in two days.  It was the wet season and while fairly humid, it was relatively cool.  The rain is solid and seems to fall in sheets but there’s no stopping – Janne is careful to ensure we maintain the respect of the villagers.

From the photograph, you will see the houses have a tin roof, one small window and built about 2m off the ground.  When we arrive, a local builder has sunk the pylons and constructed the frame-work of the house.  We set about nailing down the floor, and then erecting the walls out of 20cm wide ply planks – with a ply beading to cover up the gaps.  Very basic but much-loved. The smiles on faces when the houses are handed over are a joy to behold. Residents can’t wait to get inside, and before the last nail is driven in they have already started moving in their meagre belongings. I was intrigued as to why the steps are not fixed to the house and was told it is so they can be hoisted up in case the “bad people” return.  How very sad to live with such fear.

This was an amazing, life-changing experience.  I met, talked to, laughed and cried with a remarkable bunch of people and look forward to joining them again.  I found this story, related by Janne, to be particularly inspirational:

“In late April we had a team from Australia build in Kompong Som. On completion of the houses, the ‘builders’ were, as is the custom, presented to the families, and the spokesperson, a lady in her 40s, 90 per cent blind and raising seven children, said:  I have never lived in a house before and I thought I never would. Now I have a home. You will not remember us over the years ahead, but on the day that I die it will be your faces that I see.”

For more information on Tabitha Australia, see their web site: www.tabithafoundationaustralia.com