Filipinos in Cambodia Help Build Homes for Cambodian Families
The Philippine Embassy in Cambodia, in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity Cambodia, organized a build project on 28 August 2022 in Svay Chek Thmey community located in Sangkat Kork Rokar, Phnom Penh as part of the commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Cambodia diplomatic relations. Aside from the 11 embassy personnel, 30 Filipino volunteers from the Samahan ng mga Pilipino sa Cambodia (SAMAPI), Philippine Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia (PhilCham Cambodia), Campinoy Bikers and other members of the FIlipino community, participated in the project.
Aside from assisting in building three new homes and painting one completed home, a seminar on COVID-19 and hygiene awareness was conducted followed by the distribution of hygiene packs to the community.
In her remarks, Ambassador Maria Amelita C. Aquino highlighted that the activity is a demonstration of the long-lasting ties and friendship between Filipinos and Cambodians and that the project not only builds houses but helps build lives and brings new beginnings and hope for the beneficiary families.
For her part, Habitat for Humanity Cambodia National Director Ms. Bernadette Bolo-Duthy gave a briefing on the work of the organization and thanked the Philippine Embassy and Filipino community volunteers for helping in its advocacy of building houses and raising awareness on hygiene among the community. Deputy Commune Chief Mr. Bunthat Eam also spoke during the event.
After the activity, four Filipino volunteers shared their experience with one saying “mission accomplished!” while another quipped, “it’s not an easy task, but there is a sense of achievement” attributed to “good teamwork.” Another volunteer thanked the Habitat for Humanity for the experience and “big privilege in helping in this project.” The last volunteer shared, “it was worth it seeing the owners’/families’ smiles when we work” and that the community, “felt the care of Filipinos.”
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit organization present in 70 countries, which aims to provide affordable housing. Its branch in Cambodia has served 100,000 families from building houses and toilets to conducting seminars on sanitation and hygiene.
Earlier this month, the Philippine Embassy also organized a blood drive in cooperation with members of SAMAPI, PhilCham and other members of the Filipino community, in partnership with the National Blood Transfusion Center as part of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the Philippines-Cambodia diplomatic relations. END
