May 18th, 2008 - In advance of the fast-approaching monsoon rains, the community donated labor and grass for one of the most critical parts of our project: the protection of the reservoir embankment. Everyone chipped in, from small children to old ladies. The excitement felt by the community for the reservoir's completion has been palpable.

Our project's goal: Channel the rains to grow rice. Through this we are trying to directly improve t he lives of thousands of Cambodian villagers who live on less than $1 per day.

Since 2004, Human Translation has been helping local grassroots organizations and villagers in Prasat Bakong district, Cambodia, to develop a community project which will affect the lives of roughly 6,000 people.

HT's goal is to empower the local community to realize their own dreams of rebuilding a communal reservoir system, which will catch the torrential waters of the monsoons, and save them for the drought-ridden dry season. These villagers currently rely on a single crop of rice annually, allowing them a fixed income year after year. Water is their most precious resource, and subsequently their biggest problem. With additional water, these destitute people will have an opportunity to improve their own income through additional rice harvests. Side by side with the community, we have rebuilt a water gate, irrigation canal and a spillway to replace the 600 meter earthen dam and reservoir that were destroyed by flooding in 1994.

By allowing these local farmers to plant an extra crop of rice annually. The harvest will effectively double their agricultural income, and give them resources with which to build their future.

Over the long term, the project will earn dividends year after year which the communities will reinvest in essential services such as education and medical care in order to permanently improve their living conditions.

Our timeline calls for construction to continue in late 2008, when the monsoon rains subside. Local participation will encourage a sense of ownership of this project. We have elected and trained a council of villagers, consisting of women leaders, local monks and village elders, dedicated to ensuring the future of this dam and canal system.

Human Translation has taken on the role of fundraising, assessment, oversight, and logistical coordination for these endeavors. We have completed funding for this project, and are now translating our successes into an innovative educational program and new clean water fund.

We're ready to end extreme poverty and desperate conditions in these communities. Thank you for making these projects a reality!