Changing lives in rural Cambodia

PICTURED: Rotary clubs of Morisset and East Maitland members constructing one of four new dwellings for a local family in the remotest part of Cambodia.

Across rural Cambodia, Rotary clubs and community partners are delivering lasting change by combining clean water, safe housing and human connection to transform lives one village at a time.

In the rural and remote provinces of Cambodia, where access to clean water, safe sanitation and secure housing can never be taken for granted, Rotary is once again proving the power of service in action. A dedicated RAWCS project led by the Rotary Club of East Maitland, NSW, has been quietly but profoundly changing lives, one family, one village, one connection at a time. This year, the impact has grown further, with the Rotary Club of Morisset, NSW, joining the project and the Rotary Club of Maitland Sunrise, NSW, providing valued support.

Together, the team has delivered vital water and sanitation projects across multiple provinces, supported by a district grant that enabled the construction of toilets and wells, and a District 9660 RAWCS lapel badge sticker grant that has helped make the work possible. Four homes have also been rebuilt for some of the most impoverished families in the region, with funding generated through can and bottle recycling initiatives, a practical solution that not only funds housing outcomes but also supports environmental sustainability.

It is a powerful reminder that sustainable change comes from caring for the whole community, not just meeting immediate needs.

Beyond infrastructure, the project has invested deeply in people. Midwives, teachers and dental hygiene professionals have shared skills and knowledge, women’s sexual health education has empowered participants, and music workshops and games have brought joy, connection and laughter. It is a powerful reminder that sustainable change comes from caring for the whole community, not just meeting immediate needs.

PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Rotary Club of East Maitland member Carol Coffey hard at work on the tools. / Judy Hicks, of the Rotary Club of East Maitland, shows her motherly instincts during a health check on a local baby.

The project has also been strengthened by the generous support of the Anglican Church of Maitland and the Anglican Church of Rutherford–Telarah, whose funding helped make the home rebuilds possible. Reverend Sarah Dulley has been part of the team on the ground, adding a deeply human and compassionate presence to the work. Underpinning the entire initiative are SIM’s Cambodia Inc., with Brian and Sue Morgan as the original initiators, whose long-term commitment and local relationships continue to guide and inspire the project.

Across clubs, churches and cultures, this group has worked collaboratively and with humility, showing that Service Above Self is alive and thriving in Cambodia. These people are the real changemakers, creating lasting impact through partnership, care and commitment.