Rebuilding Hope in Cambodia - One Roof at a Time

“We thought we had lost everything. This repair means we can start fresh, and our children can study without fear of the next storm.”

The rainy season in Cambodia doesn’t knock - it crashes in. From May to October, the southwest monsoon delivers up to 75% of the country’s annual rainfall, with 8 to 12 inches falling each month in many regions.

For farmers, it’s a season of growth. For families in fragile homes, it’s a season of worry. Tin roofs rattle. Walls made of bamboo bend. And every storm carries the same question: will this one be too much? In rural areas without drainage systems or flood protection, the rain doesn’t just soak the ground - it seeps into daily life, disrupting sleep, safety, and stability. That’s why every repaired roof matters. It’s not just shelter - it’s peace of mind when the sky turns dark.

This past May a powerful storm started off the Cambodian rainy season, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to Siem Reap. One of our local partners, REACH, contacted us in need of an emergency grant to repair homes for 19 families devastated by the recent weather. In just one month from receiving the funds, tins sheets, wooden beams, and tarps, were delivered and installed with care and urgency. And just like that, 76 individuals - including children and elders - had safe, weatherproof homes again.

“Before, the rain poured directly into our house, making it impossible to sleep. Now, we feel safe and warm. Thank you, Shelter Equity and REACH, for giving us back our home.”

But this wasn’t just about fixing roofs. It was about restoring stability, safety, and the ability to dream again. Families didn’t just receive help - they gave back, volunteering in REACH’s school kitchen and garden. That’s the kind of community spirit Shelter Equity loves to support: one where everyone lifts together.

Storms may come and go, but what remains is the strength of a community that refuses to be washed away. In Siem Reap, 19 families didn’t just rebuild their homes - they reclaimed their sense of safety, their rhythm of daily life, and their hope for what’s next. This is what Shelter Equity stands for: not just shelter from the rain, but the chance to rise after it.

Because when love shows up in the form of tin sheets and wooden beams, it builds more than roofs - it builds resilience.

Roof Repair: Before and After