“From now on, if any household runs out of water, they can simply bring an empty container to get clean water. They no longer need to spend money on buying water,” says joyfully Village Headman Decha, one of the community leaders in Pa Deng sub-district, Kaeng Krachan district, Phetchaburi province, whose life, including the lives of over 1,900 villagers, has been completely transformed after receiving support from FedEx Corporation in collaboration with World Vision Foundation of Thailand.
“In the past, whenever we ran out of water, we had to go out and buy water, each container costing 17 baht. My household used about 6 containers a week, which amounted to 102 baht,” Village Headman Decha recounts the daily life that relied heavily on bottled drinking water.
Pa Deng Sub-district, Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi Province, is a rural community facing challenges in accessing basic resources such as clean water and stable electricity. The community particularly struggled with relying on unstable electricity sources and the burden of excessive costs.
“The power here went out very often, especially during the rainy season. When there was lightning, they had to cut the power, and it was not fixeduntil the morning. By the time the water flows again, half the day is gone,” says Kae, or Kittipon, a representative of the villagers, explaining the situation they faced.
Additionally, the community faced issues with insufficient water production capacity. Kae explains, “Our water supply system could not keep up, so we had to use electricity to help, which is costly. In our village, we spent tens of thousands of baht on electricity each month, yet we still could not produce enough water to meet the demand, as there are nearly 300 households using water.”
In response to these issues, FedEx Corporation, one of the world’s leading express transportation companies, has partnered with World Vision Foundation of Thailand to implement a project to install a solar-powered water filtration system for the community in Pa Deng sub-district.
This project is supported by volunteers from FedEx Thailand who have joined hands with the people in Pa Deng community to install the solar panels and water filtration system. This initiative aims to build essential infrastructure that will benefit over 1,900 people in the area, covering 4 villages.
Mr Sasathorn Phaspinyo, Managing Director, FedEx Thailand, says, “Water and electricity are fundamental to the well-being of everyone in society. At FedEx, we are committed to delivering solutions that meet the needs of communities in underserved areas. This project reflects FedEx’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for people in Pa Deng Community by increasing access to these essential resources.”
“The villagers are very happy that World Vision Thailand and FedEx have provided the water filtration system, so they no longer need to buy water,” Village Headman Decha says with a smile. “We installed this water filtration system at the community hall in the middle of the village. If any household runs out of water, they can bring empty containers to fill it up, free of charge.”
Kae, has seen a clear change in the daily life of the community. “A few days ago, we tried installing the system, and the villagers were very happy. There is a constant flow of water. This system runs directly on solar power, and when the sunlight is gone, the system stops. Then we switch to using electricity to keep it running at night.”
“The daily life of the villagers has become much more convenient. There is no shortage of water, and it can be used in agriculture as well. In the past, even watering plants was insufficient, but with this solar cell system, we can pump more water. The villagers have enough water without worry, can raise animals, and grow vegetable gardens,” Kae continues proudly.
Alonzo Lee, Ministry Quality & Impact Division Manager Programme, World Vision Thailand, says, “This project aligns with our ministry to promote community self-reliance through sustainable living practices. Collaborating with FedEx to create stable energy and water sources helps people in Pa Deng Community become more self-sufficient.”
On the days when the sun shines brightly over Pa Deng Village, it not only powers the solar panels but also symbolises hope and sustainable development for this community. Here, the sunlight not only provides energy but also enhances the quality of life through clean and sufficient water for everyone.
“I am very grateful for the solar cell system that helps produce water. It has been very beneficial to the villagers and has shown real results. I have talked to the villagers, and everyone is very happy to have a constant flow of water for use and drinking,” Kae concludes with a smile of joy.
