From our Executive Director: WaterSHED’s Strategic Exit

Dear friends and colleagues,

Sovattha Neou, Executive Director

This year is a big milestone for WaterSHED, one that we have been working towards for a decade. By the end of 2020, remaining elements of our program will be taken forward by the national and sub-national government. Areas in which we previously offered support—such as toilet production, financing, etc.—are now functional parts of a thriving market.

My time at WaterSHED has really shown me that a local NGO can have the capacity to change a system long term and that the government does see real value in leadership development. I am very privileged to be part of this exciting journey, to see real change in my country.

At the end of this year, we will celebrate our hard work and close our doors—not because we have to, but because we planned for it and have intentionally worked towards it.

Provincial Coordinator, Soban, working with provincial government officials in Kampong Chhnang Province.

None of this would be possible without this inspiring team. It gives me energy to watch our young team members work with intense dedication to help commune councilors learn new things. They live in the provinces where they helped local businesses knock on doors and sell toilets, and now they work closely with their respective provincial government officials to take the lead in providing sanitation services—not by foreigners, but by the local private and public sector.  It is immensely satisfying to watch all these generations, young and old, work with so much creativity and excitement. Best of all, many tell me their families are proud of them.

I have already received a lot of questions about the process of implementing our exit strategy and corresponding 2020 program of work. We will do our best to share our reflections, research, and key milestones through out the year, so please follow our newsletter for the next 12 months. We hope our experience can inspire others to set a new bar for sustainable, locally led development.

With kind regard,

Sovattha Neou