Building houses families can call their home
Millions of families in developing countries face a severe housing problem. A lack of shelter is a manifestation of widespread poverty. People live in homes that are built of flimsy materials, lack adequate sanitation, have an irregular or no electricity supply.
To help mitigate housing issues, DWC’s RAISE THE ROOF program provides adequate shelter and improves the conditions in which families live through sustainable construction projects. Essential services are addressed, such as safe drinking water, improved sanitation, space for food gardens and other means by which people can increase their capacity to generate income.
A liveable home can have a tremendous impact on a family’s well-being and their ability to break the cycle of poverty. In addition to health improvements, ownership of decent housing increases a family’s personal safety, security, and performance in school and at work. Secure housing improves a whole community.
In Cambodia
- Two-thirds of the households in Cambodia experience seasonal food shortages every year. This is one example of a consequence of living in a rural area that depends on living off the land. Food supply can change with the seasons, leaving it as an unreliable source of sustenance.
- 12.3 million people, or around 70 percent of the population in Cambodia, do not have access to a piped water supply.
What to ExpectA Typical Workday in Cambodia
Families on Tonle Sap eke out a living by working in the fields during harvest and planting seasons and fishing in the non-growing seasons. Many families live in makeshift shelters along the river bank that are affected by the rising and falling of the river during rainy season. Our teams work in partnership with our in-country partner Bridge of Life School to build homes that can float or sit on the riverbank depending on the season.
Your group will be led by a trained DWC team leader and will be working with a local site supervisor, translator and laborers to complete this project. The worksite will have various types of task to support all skill and strength levels of your team. In general, expect to work 6-8 hours per day. No building experience is necessary, but a desire to connect with the locals and pitch in as you can is one of the best parts of DWC projects.
This trip includes all accommodations, airport pickup/drop off, in-country transportation and 3 meals a day for the duration of the trip dates.
DWC volunteers work alongside people who have grown up in the region, contribute to the local community, and see a side of Cambodia that most never see.
It's Not All WorkVisit the Temple of Angkor Wat
Siem Reap, located in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex, one of the world’s greatest cultural treasures. The town itself offers a blend of rich history, vibrant markets, and welcoming local culture. Visitors can explore the ancient ruins of Angkor, including the stunning Bayon Temple with its smiling stone faces, and the tree-clad Ta Prohm. Beyond the temples, Siem Reap boasts lively night markets, delicious Khmer cuisine, and boat tours on Tonle Sap Lake, making it a perfect destination for both history lovers and adventure seekers.
Trip Details
Each trip is coordinated by DWC with the help of a Team Leader, who has travelled with DWC previously, is First Aid Certified, and has completed a Criminal Record Check. Your Team Leader will liaise with DWC and ensure all your questions are answered. Your Team Leader will handle all team finances through the trip and travel with you to ensure the best possible travel and volunteer experience for their team! They also facilitate fun, cultural experiences where possible, ensuring group cohesion. See your Team Leader Biography here:
Kathleen D'Sylva and Kathleen Simard
Kathleen D’Sylva
Kathleen recently retired from her job after 30+ years in IT. It was through this work, that she was introduced to DWC and Kathleen Simard! Kathleen has participated in DWC trips to Railmagra, India in 2017 and then Cebu, Philippians in 2019 and Costa Rica in 2023. Kathleen currently lives in Burlington, ON with her husband David, 2 of her 3 sons, and their basset hound, Harley. She enjoys hiking and cycling, really, anything outdoors and is working towards her level 1 Sommelier, Intermediate Wine Certification
Kathleen Simard
Kathleen, originally from Atlanta, lives outside of Philadelphia with her Cana dian husband, 2 daughters and a son. She loves adventure and has never met a stranger, making friends wherever she goes. She met her co-leader, Kathleen, on her first DWC trip to India in 2016. It was a life changing experience and one she is thrilled to do again in Sri Lanka! Kathleen is semi retired from technology sales making more time for her personal passions including Family, friends, travel, cycling, yoga, snow-boading, live music and acting! Her mantra: “Write down your dreams and follow them because the universe is listening. There is no limit to what you can achieve in this life!”
Travel Light Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Carbon offsets are used to compensate for the greenhouse gasses that we create through certain activities, such as flying. For every tonne of carbon released into the atmosphere, an ‘offset’ is a carefully designed project that absorbs or stores the equivalent CO2 emissions. You can choose to offset your own flight, your whole family’s, or do this as a gift for a friend.
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
Joy
Volunteer Program Manager