Adopt a village for CSR

As Lien AID continues to engage corporates in different ways to achieve their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, it appears clear that there is a growing trend of the private sector engaging with the non-profit space, not just passively donating valuable resources but also by donating valuable skills through the active participation of their employees in these activities. Every company is different, and while the end-goal is the same (improving access to clean water for poor rural communities), it is our approach to work very closely with a company’s management, to build a CSR programme that is equally beneficial for its own CSR objectives.

In 2012, we were approached by BASF – The Chemical Company, interested to partner with us on a sustainable water project as part of a new BASF management trainee program in South East Asia . In order to provide employee engagement and development opportunities beyond corporate training, the new management trainees actively worked alongside Lien AID staff at all stages of the project cycle (needs assessment, project implementation, post project sustainability assessment) over a course of 6 months to develop a Lien AID designed community-based water social enterprise (CWE) at a small Cambodian floating village, in need of an improved access to clean, affordable drinking water. In addition, a health and hygiene training for school children was introduced by BASF’s management trainees.

In March 2013, Kampong Uor Village with a population of 620, celebrated the official launch of the first CWE in their community.

We are excited to continue on this journey working with more corporates to form more water alliances that bring clean water to more poor rural communities in Asia. Below is a clip of  the FM93.8 Live Interview with Mr Dean Draper, Managing Director ASEAN Sub-region, BASF South East Asia Pte Ltd.