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Through a factual TV documentary series, Don’t Wait For Rain, complemented by community events and engaging social media content, we improved knowledge of climate risks and encouraging people to protect themselves against the effects of extreme weather.

Inspiring change

On air nationally from February to May 2019, Don’t Wait For Rain was aimed at the audiences in Cambodia most vulnerable to climate change. The series showcased easily replicable and affordable techniques that people can use to protect themselves against the effects of extreme weather, such as flooding and drought. It also explored the reasons that may prevent people from planning for extreme weather in the first place, such as financial worries or a lack of confidence in trying something new.

The show focused on a different region each week, exploring the weather challenges most relevant to people in the area, and paired local experts with those experiencing problems to explain how simple steps can lead to life-changing results. Topics covered included early warning flood systems, drinking water storage methods, and grafting plants together to make them more resilient to drought and pests.

Community outreach

To ensure people living in hard-to-reach areas without access to a TV get the chance to view the show, we took Don’t Wait For Rain to the people with community screenings across five priority areas of the country.

At these events, we facilitated audience discussions about the problems and solutions seen in the show, as well as holding live demonstrations of the techniques featured. Through these events, we connected communities to experts and resources in their local area who can support them in making changes at home.

Underpinned by research

To understand how Cambodians live with climate change and how media can be used to improve their lives, we conducted a large-scale study of people’s everyday experience of climate change in the country. Findings from this study informed both the topics covered and the format of the TV programme to ensure the content would be accessible, engaging, and transformative for our target audiences.

By getting Cambodians talking about climate change and how it affects them both individually and in their communities, we hope to ultimately encourage people to take small steps towards preparing for the effects of climate change so that they can cope, whatever the weather.

Our impact

The series reached an estimated 1.29 million people aged 35-55, and our evaluative research revealed that Cambodians found the programme to be unique, educational and inspiring. Viewers felt an emotional connection to the main contributors because they were ‘people like them’, who experience the same challenges in their lives. 

Project information