Home Building Project

With the assistance of local architects, CBAVC builds traditional Khmer-style wooden houses for the poorest families in rural areas of Siem Reap province targeting the communes and villages with the highest levels of homelessness. Most of our work is approximately 60 kilometers outside from Siem Reap town.

Poverty levels are stagnant in Cambodia, with most rural families earning less than one dollar a day and hoping to survive on that income. In many cases the housing is rudimentary at best and many homes are fragile structures with palm front walls and dirt floors. Many do not survive the flooding created by severe rainstorms that occur regularly in this area.

Our houses replace fragile structures that offer little protection. We have seen first-hand how improved living conditions change lives, through better sanitation, increased security, better sleeping arrangements and healthier living. Children in secure homes are less likely to get sick and more likely to attend school.

We work with local social workers and volunteers from around the globe, much like Home Aid America, to build safe housing for rural families. Volunteers work under the guidance of our skilled building team to construct a house in one week. 

What is the design of house?

Houses are constructed with wooden frames and coverings and will last over 100 years with continual upkeep. The size of houses is (4m x 6m) with concrete footings, wooden sides, floorboards and a tin roof. They include one enclosed room and one room with open sides. The space underneath the house is often used as a daily living and cooking area.

How long does it take to build a house?

• It takes 7 days to build a house. On the final day, a new Khmer house blessing ceremony is celebrated before the family moves into it. This is a special cultural experience for both the families and the people who have constructed the house.

• Each house has a signboard of the sponsor name or someone they dedicate it to and the country they are from.
  

What are the benefits from volunteers helping in construction?

Many sponsors would like to be a part of the project that they donate, CBAVC being one of the very few that allow volunteers to be involved.

• To give local builders the opportunity to teach foreigners the skills of house building.
• To become partners with CBAVC, volunteers raise funds for various projects.
• To learn a practical experience of the impact on many people here through building the home for a family in our project. More details about our local builders and volunteers build each house.
  

How much does a home cost?

It costs $3,000 per home, including the cost of local builders whom participate in building activities for five days.

Please note: Transportation can be arranged by via your own tour operator, or CBAVC is happy to organize this for you from Siem Reap to CBAVC areas at the countryside by Minivan, or Taxi car.