Giving Compass' Take:

• Mekong Homes is a social enterprise that provides houses for Cambodians living in rural areas. This model addresses issues of affordable housing, sanitation and hygiene, and sustainable living. 

• The Mekong Homes model also teaches local contractors how to build the homes, increasing their capacity and ensuring sustainability. Why is this model effective for continuous progress regarding problems in rural areas of Cambodia? 

• Read about how tiny homes in the U.S. are becoming a solution for affordable housing issues. 

Living conditions in rural Cambodia can be extremely tough for the 80% of the country’s 16 million population that are living there. In rural Cambodia today, 3.9 million people live without access to clean water, 8 million people live without the use of adequate toilets and 6 million people live without electricity. That’s a lot of people who don’t have access to the bare basics.

Traditionally homes in Cambodia have been made out of timber, but these are often susceptible to rot and insect infestations over time. On top of that, many rural families still lack access to formal lending systems. So, if their house needs renovations or improvements families don’t have access to finances and often rely on private loans that are not regulated or controlled, leading them into an even more dire financial situation than before.

Recognising this, Mekong Homes was born. Mekong Homes is a project of ISI GROUP, one of Cambodia’s leading group of companies that specialise in the building, construction and technology sectors. ISI GROUP Director, Sen Kang, said the “desire to create and build is in our DNA. We can see the problems that face rural Cambodians and recognise our responsibility to use our expertise in ways that benefit everyone, including rural families.”

As a project, Mekong Homes improves the lives of rural communities by elevating living standards through the construction of quality, affordable houses that are made from prefabricated materials and come with beauty, comfort and sustainability.

For every Mekong Home that is built, the MKH Team trains local constructors on how to build the homes, developing their skill set and capacity. Home-business owners can improve business conditions and activity in a better working environment.

Read the full article about social enterprise by Sarah Cowley at Causeartist