UNICEF Revamps Hygiene for Remote Ethnic Minority Students

Kratie Province, Cambodia – For 13-year-old Pheaktra, getting to school every day is an adventure. She crosses streams and braves heavy monsoon rains, often relying on a canoe to reach the only school in the district. Recently, life at her school has improved significantly, thanks to UNICEF's Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programme implemented in support of the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport (MoEYS) efforts to improve students' hygiene and well-being.

At the primary school, where four teachers educate 101 students up to the 6th grade, a significant change has taken place. Previously, 14 sixth graders had to take turns fetching water from the school's well, a task that consumed much of their time and energy. For the children of this indigenous Pnong (Bunong) community in Cambodia's northeast, accessing clean water has always been a daily struggle.

Everything changed when UNICEF's WASH programme rehabilitated the school's bathroom facilities. The once cramped, dark bathrooms were replaced with spacious, light-filled facilities that include separate rooms for boys, girls, and students with disabilities. The new facilities feature washing stations equipped with soap, clean water, and large mirrors—a luxury that many students, like Pheaktra, do not have at home. A small, carefully tended flower garden adds beauty to the area.

"We spent so much time carrying heavy buckets of water to fill the large bin," Pheaktra recalls. "It was exhausting, and we had less time to study." Now, dressed in a neatly pleated white shirt with a blue bow tie, she smiles as she describes the impact of the new facilities. "The best part about the new bathroom is the mirrors and the sanitation bin in the girls' bathroom. I don't have a mirror at home, so I check for pimples while washing my hands."

Her best friend, Chac Chin, who walks to school with her younger sister, has noticed another important change. With her neatly braided hair pulled back, Chac beams, "We get sick less often now. Before, the bathrooms were not clean, and we didn't have soap. Now, everything is different—we study, we play, and we stay healthy."

The new facilities have not only improved hygiene but also instilled a sense of pride among the students. Nerd Krud, a classmate, admits that he now takes more care in his appearance. "I use the bathroom to check my hair," he says with a grin. "I've got to look good in class!"

For 13-year-old Tien Tola, the changes have had a major impact. "It was so heavy and time-consuming," he recalls of the water-fetching task. "Now, we have more time to focus on our lessons instead of carrying water."

Principal Sam Chea has observed the positive changes with satisfaction. "We've seen a 10 per cent increase in attendance, and the students' hygiene has improved noticeably," he remarks. "They comb their hair, cut their nails, and come to school looking well-groomed. Parents have more confidence in sending their children here, and the students are eager to attend." To maintain the new facilities, Principal Chea has implemented a rota system where students take turns cleaning the bathrooms, fostering a sense of responsibility and pride in their improved school environment.

The UNICEF-supported programme has made significant strides in improving WASH conditions in underserved areas. The initiative has installed water systems, handwashing facilities, and latrines in 22 Multilingual Education Schools across four northeastern provinces—Kratie, Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, and Stung Treng—where access to clean water and sanitation has long been a challenge.

This WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) intervention for multilingual education is made possible through the Capacity Development Partnership Fund (CDPF). This innovative funding mechanism represents a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and several international partners, including the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union (EU), the Swedish Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), and UNICEF.

The impact of this initiative extends to over 3,800 students in the region, enhancing their lives through improved access to clean water and hygiene facilities. In collaboration with the MoEYS, UNICEF supports broader efforts to improve rural WASH for ethnic minority communities across the country, addressing a critical need in these areas. For Pheaktra and her friends, the changes at their school have made a world of difference. 

"Now, we can actually pay attention in class and enjoy being at school," she says, her smile infectious.