Hygiene Education

Building clean water infrastructure is only the beginning — lasting change happens when communities understand why and how to use it. Water For Cambodia delivers WASH training in schools and households covering proper latrine use, regular cleaning, and the six steps of handwashing with soap — turning good habits into daily routine for students, teachers, and families alike.

A critical part of this work is menstrual health. Without adequate sanitation facilities and menstrual hygiene support, girls may miss up to five days of school every month — or drop out entirely. In 2025, made possible through the generous funding, guidance, and expertise of our partner Just a Drop, Water For Cambodia completed a Menstrual Health and WASH project across seven schools in Siem Reap Province, reaching 2,296 students, teachers, and parents. Working alongside local midwives and Green Lady Cambodia, sessions covered cycle tracking, personal hygiene, reusable sanitary pads, and breaking cultural taboos — for students, teachers, parents, and school administrators alike. Every school now has girl-friendly latrines with bins, locks, and emergency menstrual kits, so no girl is ever sent home due to lack of supplies.

The results speak for themselves: girls moved from fear to confidence, teachers became open advocates, and menstruation became a normal, supported topic in the classroom. Girls are more confident, more willing to attend school, and more able to speak openly with teachers about their needs. Because when every girl can come to school with dignity, every day of the year, the whole community moves forward.