A lifeline of clean water for Cambodia and Myanmar
The Rotary Club of Wollongong, NSW, is assisting Australian charity The Water Gift in its mission to bring safe drinking water to the world one SAFE sticker at a time.
Amid global challenges, where access to clean water remains a critical concern, The Water Gift offers a beacon of hope for some of the world’s poorest communities.
PICTURED: A happy family from Kampong Phluk Water Village in Cambodia enjoy clean, safe water thanks to verified solar disinfection.
Founded just two and a half years ago, the Australian-based charity is dedicated to improving the lives of the most vulnerable by providing a simple yet innovative solution to verify Solar Disinfection of Water (SODIS) through the use of its own invention, the SAFE Stickers.
The SAFE Sticker has been called ‘the missing link’ in SODIS water disinfection verification and named one of the best inventions to aid humanity in water delivery.
The Water Gift’s director, Dr Martin Butson, hopes they can eventually provide safe drinking water to the near one billion people who currently do not have access to a safe/protected drinking water supply.
PICTURED: Children learning the SODIS/ SAFE Sticker process at Banteay Chheu Chrei in West Baray, Cambodia.
Transforming lives with SAFE Stickers
The Water Gift is more than just a charity; it’s a movement towards sustainable health and safety. By distributing SAFE Stickers, The Water Gift empowers people to purify their water using solar energy, ensuring that the water is safe to drink.
This method, known as SODIS, is the cheapest form of water disinfection on the planet. It uses the sun’s UV rays to kill harmful bacteria, viruses and micro-organisms in water.
PICTURED: A young girl collecting bottles for Solar Disinfection of Water (SODIS) in Ballangk Commune, Prasat Bakong, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The SAFE Sticker confirms when the water is fully disinfected by measuring when it has had the required amount of solar UV exposure for solar disinfection.
The process is performed in old, recycled PET plastic water and soft drink bottles, so encourages recycling and removes the need to burn wood or coal to boil water for disinfection.
Over the past six months, The Water Gift has considerably expanded its reach, particularly in Cambodia and Myanmar.
More than 300,000 SAFE Stickers have been distributed, with more than two million litres of water treated, benefiting thousands of families across these regions.
PICTURED: The Water Gift Ambassador for Cambodia, Pear, in Sangkat Chreav Village, Krong, Cambodia.
In urban Siem Reap, including the West Baray region, and in Puok, which was only declared land mine free in 2021, The Water Gift has been instrumental in providing clean water solutions to both schools and surrounding communities.
The Rotary Club of Wollongong: A pillar of support
The success of The Water Gift has been amplified by the support of the Rotary Club of Wollongong, NSW, which has not only raised essential funds but also actively participated in the hands-on production of SAFE Stickers. Members organise ‘SAFE Sticker Making Events’, where volunteers come together to produce thousands of stickers to be sent to Cambodia and Myanmar.
PICTURED: The Water Gift founder Dr Martin Butson teaching a young girl the Solar Disinfection of Water (SODIS) process in Kampong Phluk Water Village, Cambodia.
Expanding reach amid growing demand
The club’s involvement is a testament to the power of community and collaboration. Members encourage other Rotary clubs to join this vital cause by providing both financial support and person power. With more Rotary clubs on board, The Water Gift can expand its reach even further, helping more communities gain access to safe drinking wate
Since its inception, The Water Gift has garnered attention from more than 10 countries eager for support. However, the challenge lies in meeting this growing demand. The expansion into new regions can only be sustained with increased financial and volunteer support.
In Cambodia, the charity is looking into national government testing approval and accreditation, which it will hopefully receive over the next year.
The Water Gift’s commitment to sustainable development is evident in their approach, which empowers communities by providing both the means to purify water and the knowledge to maintain this practice independently.
PICTURED: A family member from Sangkat Kouk Chak Village, Cambodia learns the SODIS/ SAFE Sticker process.
A lifeline for refugees and displaced persons
The Water Gift’s work extends beyond Cambodia’s borders into the conflict-ridden areas of Myanmar. Since the escalation of civil war in 2021, more than one million refugees have fled to border camps, and nearly two million people are internally displaced. The situation is dire, with makeshift purification stations the only source of clean water in many areas.
Through partnerships with local organisations, The Water Gift has introduced SAFE Stickers in Internally Displaced Persons camps, military evacuation camps, and Peoples Defence Force camps in Myanma
These efforts are saving lives by providing a reliable source of safe drinking water in some of the most challenging environments. The charity’s new partnerships, including one with Mr. Jone, have enabled them to reach more people, offering hope and healing amidst the chaos.
Looking ahead: A future of expansion and hope
The future looks promising for The Water Gift as they plan to extend their initiatives into new regions. Pilot projects are being planned in the Western province of Papua New Guinea, and the charity has already begun responding to natural disasters, such as the recent cyclones in Vanuatu, by providing SAFE Stickers and educational packs.
The Water Gift’s expansion is a story of hope, collaboration, and community empowerment. With continued support, they can bring the gift of safe drinking water to even more people around the world, transforming lives and ensuring that clean water is a right enjoyed by all.
For more information on The Water Gift or to get involved, visit thewatergift.org, follow them on social media #thewatergift (Instagram and Facebook), or contact them directly via [email protected].
MAIN PICTURE: The Water Gift founder Dr Martin Butson with members of Sangkat Svay Dankum village in Siem Reap, Cambodia.