Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club Partners with Sustainable Cambodia to Empower Rural Villages

The Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club has teamed up with a group helping families in rural Cambodian villages to become more self-sufficient and sustainable.

Sustainable Cambodia, which was established in 2004, is a Rotarian-led nonprofit organization — with Rotarian international officers, directors and consultants serving as volunteers for the cause — concentrating on education, clean water, agriculture and economic development, providing hope and opportunity to thousands of these families.

Since Sustainable Cambodia is a shared Rotarian project, the Freeport-Merrick Rotary has also lent assistance to the cause. Emily Margulis, the club’s past co-president, has taken the lead as a member of the Rotary, working with the Cambodian villages of Kean and Domrey Sor in Prasad City, as of 2023.

“We help people in Cambodia with getting fresh, clean water . . . we help them by providing bikes so they can ride the bikes to school,” Jordan Pecora, the club’s vice president, said.

Sustainable Cambodia focuses on teaching skills and promoting a culture of community service, where village families help themselves and neighboring villages.

The organization employs only native Cambodians as paid staff, while international officers, directors and consultants are considered volunteers. This helps keep overhead and fundraising expenses under 3 percent, ensuring that nearly 100 percent of donations go directly to on-the-ground projects.

The organization has built several schools and learning centers in underserved areas, offering free education to children who might not otherwise have access to learning. The curriculum includes traditional subjects such as math, science and languages, as well as lessons on health, hygiene and environmental conservation.

The education they receive not only equips them with academic knowledge but also practical skills that are essential for daily life. This comprehensive approach helps break the cycle of poverty and builds a foundation for long-term community development.

Many rural Cambodian villages face significant challenges in accessing clean water, leading to numerous health issues. Sustainable Cambodia has implemented projects to provide safe drinking water, including installing wells, water filtration and rainwater harvesting systems.

As a result of these efforts, thousands of families now have access to clean, safe drinking water, dramatically reducing the incidence of waterborne diseases, while improving overall community health. This has allowed children to attend school more regularly, and adults to engage in productive work without the constant threat of illness.

“So, Prasad City is where we’re working in Cambodia,” Margulis said. “We focus on community building, providing water, sanitation and hygiene. We’re helping them build latrines and shallow wells.”

In some villages, women older than 60 have to wait until night to use the bathroom to avoid being seen by young men.

“At the Rotary International Convention in Singapore, we learned that installing latrines prevents fecal matter from contaminating groundwater,” Margulis said. “Now, villagers don’t have to travel far for clean water, reducing sickness from dysentery and other illnesses.”

Agriculture is the backbone of rural Cambodian economies, and Sustainable Cambodia emphasizes sustainable farming practices to help farmers increase their yields and diversify their crops. The organization provides training in modern agricultural techniques and promotes organic farming methods.

Farmers learn to grow a variety of crops, including vegetables, fruits and herbs, which they can sell at local markets for additional income.

Economic development is another key component, and the organization offers microloans and business training to help individuals start small businesses and create new sources of income. These micro-enterprises range from handicrafts and tailoring to poultry farming and small-scale retail.

Women, in particular, have benefited from these programs, gaining financial independence and confidence.

The organization has therefore created a model of sustainable progress that can be replicated in other regions facing similar challenges.

Through about $5,000 raised by Margulis and the Rotary club, they have been able to support various families and villages in Cambodia, including the Mao family.

Margulis recently visited Cambodia for a second time to witness the impact of the organization’s contributions, and to see how things had changed since her initial visit through Sustainable Cambodia in 2018.

Margulis said, “Last year . . . my second visit through Sustainable Cambodia to Cambodia in 2023, I got to see this family called the Mao family . . . and I asked my club to help support, through money, and we ended up getting . . . a letter from the Development Director of Village Development.

“He sends us what it is that they’ve been doing in their life and how it’s been changing.”

Her friend and two other Rotary club members accompanied Margulis on the trip.

The collaboration between Margulis, the Rotary club and friends continues to bring hope and sustainable development to Cambodian communities, showing that this collective effort is making a difference.