PRESS RELEASE: Clean Water Flows in Kampong Thom: World Vision and Olam Outspan Celebrate Handover of Piped Water System
KAMPONG THOM, Cambodia –April 1, 2026: Today marks a turning point for the village of Sakream Cherng. Under the newly installed infrastructure, representatives from Olam Outspan (Cambodia) Co., Ltd, World Vision, and the Provincial Department of Rural Development (PDRD) gathered for an official ceremony to hand over the completed "Clear Water, Bright Future" (CWBF) project to the local community.
Nong Davith, Senior Technical Specialist for WASH at World Vision International in Cambodia, recalled: “For many years, access to drinking water in Sakream Cherng was limited and inconsistent. Families depended on nearby ponds or distant wells, which required significant time and effort, particularly for children. These conditions often affected health and school attendance. Today, the community marked an important milestone with the official activation of a new piped water network, bringing a more reliable water supply closer to home.”
The CWBF project, a strategic six-month initiative (October 2025 – March 2026), has successfully bridged the "last mile" gap in the Prasath Ballang district by expanding the water distribution network from neighboring Sakream Tbong directly into the heart of Sakream Cherng.
“Access to clean water is not just a basic necessity; it is the foundation upon which a child’s health, education, and future are built,” said Ny Sopharan, Operation Director of World Vision Cambodia. “Through this partnership with Olam Outspan, we have accelerated our efforts to ensure that every child in Sakream Cherng can now grow up in a safe environment, free from the threat of waterborne illnesses.”
The project’s completion delivers a robust, data-driven technical solution. With a total investment of USD 16,868, the team installed 2,000 meters of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe and 80 household water meters. To ensure the system thrives for decades, the project included specialized training for local water committees on financial management, fee collection, and technical maintenance.
The impact of this handover is immediate and life-changing. Beyond the 375 community people (including 102 children), the expansion provides the Samdach Ouv Health Center and local schools with a reliable and clean water supply. For women and girls, the handover signifies the end of hours spent hauling water, reclaiming that time for education and economic opportunities.
“The clean water system handed over today will transform daily life for hundreds of households, especially women and children who will now have more time for learning and livelihoods. For Olam Outspan, supporting such community-led solutions is core to our sustainability pillars of water stewardship, inclusive growth, and long-term rural prosperity. Partnering with World Vision helps to create this long lasting effect in the communities we work with” Said Dipen Joshi, Business Head of Olam Outspan (Cambodia) Co. Ltd.
This achievement contributes to both World Vision’s WASH strategic plan and Cambodia’s national efforts to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene. It leverages World Vision’s extensive expertise, which since 2015 has established 125 community water systems nationwide, providing clean water to over 330,000 people. With 1,172 villages now Open Defecation Free (ODF) through World Vision's support, the Sakream Cherng handover stands as a model of how targeted private-public partnerships can achieve the goal of clean water for all.
About World Vision International
World Vision International in Cambodia is a Christian grassroots organization that has been operating in Cambodia for over 55 years. In 2025 alone, the organization reached 5.4 million people, including 3.1 million children, across 21 provinces. World Vision’s holistic approach focuses on child protection, education, nutrition, and WASH, ensuring that the most vulnerable children can experience "life in all its fullness."
About Olam Outspan
Olam Outspan (Cambodia) Co., Ltd is a leading agriculture commodities trading company and a subsidiary of Olam International, a leading agri-business operating in 70 countries. With a global team of 72,000 employees, Olam supplies food and industrial raw materials to over 23,000 customers. Olam’s CSR framework is built on the pillars of Water Stewardship and Community Wellbeing, extending its support to approximately 4.7 million farmers worldwide to ensure sustainable and ethical supply chains.