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Celebrating 16 years of BioSand Water Filters in Cambodia

March 11, 2015 • Asia
Pictured above, His Excellency Kor Sum Saroeut, Governor of Banteay Meanchey Province (at podium) presides at our celebration event at Doan Noy School. More than 800 people were in attendance.
Pictured above, His Excellency Kor Sum Saroeut, Governor of Banteay Meanchey Province (at podium) presides at our celebration event at Doan Noy School. More than 800 people were in attendance.

Dr. David Manz (Canadian inventor of the BioSand Water Filter), Samaritan’s Purse, and one of our historic partner organizations in Cambodia celebrate 16 years of bringing clean water to those in need-representing more than 155,000 BioSand Water Filters.

by John Clayton, director of programs, Samaritan’s Purse

The Governor awarded four Gold Medals of Cambodia to our group (note the medal on the chest of Samaritan’s Purse staffer Ray Cantwell, far right). In the background is a Samaritan Filter for Schools, flagged by male and female washrooms on either side. This is one of 20 similar projects that Samaritan’s Purse Canada is engaged in with our Water for Kids program in Cambodia for 2015. This community worked with Samaritan’s Purse by raising and contributing significant funds for this project (about $2,000 CDN).

The Governor awarded four Gold Medals of Cambodia to our group (note the medal on the chest of Samaritan’s Purse staffer Ray Cantwell, far right). In the background is a Samaritan Filter for Schools, flagged by male and female washrooms on either side. This is one of 20 similar projects that Samaritan’s Purse Canada is engaged in with our Water for Kids program in Cambodia for 2015. This community worked with Samaritan’s Purse by raising and contributing significant funds for this project (about $2,000 CDN).

Dr. David Manz (brown shirt) and Samaritan’s Purse staff visit with the proud owner (plaid shirt) of this BioSand Water Filter and test the filter’s flow as part of regular monitoring procedures. The owner says he loves his filter because it keeps him healthy.

Dr. David Manz (brown shirt) and Samaritan’s Purse staff visit with the proud owner (plaid shirt) of this BioSand Water Filter and test the filter’s flow as part of regular monitoring procedures. The owner says he loves his filter because it keeps him healthy.

Dr David Manz stands with Mr. Theng Harn (and his granddaughter), the proud owner for the last 16 years of our first BioSand Water Filter in Cambodia. Thanks to the durability of the filter and the diligence of Theng, our partner organization, and Samaritan’s Purse to regularly maintain it, the filter is still producing clean water for Theng’s family to drink and use in their home today. Theng has lots of great things to say about living with clean water... and there are tens of thousands more stories in Cambodia that are similar to his.

Dr David Manz stands with Mr. Theng Harn (and his granddaughter), the proud owner for the last 16 years of our first BioSand Water Filter in Cambodia. Thanks to the durability of the filter and the diligence of Theng, our partner organization, and Samaritan’s Purse to regularly maintain it, the filter is still producing clean water for Theng’s family to drink and use in their home today. Theng has lots of great things to say about living with clean water… and there are tens of thousands more stories in Cambodia that are similar to his.

Dr. Manz (middle), Executive Director of Clear Cambodia Mr. Yim Viriya (left), and I share some water directly from 16-year-old filter #1.

Dr. Manz (middle), Executive Director of Clear Cambodia Mr. Yim Viriya (left), and I share some water directly from 16-year-old filter #1.

Mr. Viriya and Dr. Manz stand with the six-year-old daughter of Mrs. Teum Ros. Mrs. Ros is a widow, has three girls under the age of nine, and spends all day collecting cow manure to sell. If she works hard, she can maybe make $3 a day—real poverty. At least her family has a choice about the water they drink.

Mr. Viriya and Dr. Manz stand with the six-year-old daughter of Mrs. Teum Ros. Mrs. Ros is a widow, has three girls under the age of nine, and spends all day collecting cow manure to sell. If she works hard, she can maybe make $3 a day—real poverty. At least her family has a choice about the water they drink.

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