Hemispheres: Water Filters and Schools in Siem Reap Cambodia

Siem Reap Province is generally a place in need of development. Aside from tourists visiting the famous Angkor Wat temple, this rural area in northwest Cambodia does not see much economic activity, health, education or food security.

Host Nikki Kayser speaks with a Wyoming woman changing all that through small improvements done locally that make a big difference. With a participatory approach and very small scale, 50 bio-sand water purification filters have been made by local people in the area. It all started 13 years ago when a Wyoming woman saw the need for clean water while visiting Cambodia.Chris Coats is soft-spoken and modest as she makes things happen behind the scenes, fish ponds, irrigated gardens, latrines, schools, libraries, bicycles and small business loans though her non-profit The Trailblazer Foundation.

Village life has been tough since the Khmer rouge of the 80’s and 90’s. Siem Reap did not have the chance to rebuild until the last 18 years or so. Last June, Chris chats with our host during the wet season to hear how small projects have made improvements. And it didn’t seem like she’s planning on slowing down any time soon.

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