Sadly, in Cambodia, people with disabilities are often viewed by their families and their communities as being inferior and even an embarrassment. At the same time, the hearts of the parents of these children ache for them. They often believe that the child is completely dependent on them and always will be so. Such, they think, is their fate. It does not occur to these parents to send their children with disabilities to school, fearing they may be subject to ridicule and believing they will not be able to benefit from the teaching.

World Renew and their partners have been working on inclusive education initiatives since 2009. We invite parents and school teachers together for a workshop. The teachers learn how to work with disabled children in the classroom. Parents are taught that sending their children to school will help to improve understanding in the community for disabled persons and lesson discrimination. They are also encouraged to understand that with the right approach, children with disabilities can learn many things and can become independent. Through these workshops in inclusive education, by the end of 2015, 16 of the 19 children with disabilities in the target area of CFT, one of World Renew’s local partners, was attending school.

Vat Venn (10) is one of those children. He and his family live in Prey Ampil village, a poor community about two hours northwest of Phnom Penh. Vat was born with an intellectual disability. He never learned how to sing, count, or greet his elders. Sometimes when his parents were away for work, Vat would follow the other children around the village and easily lose his way. Often his parents or relatives would have to search for him in the evening. After attending training on inclusive education, Vat’s parents decided to send him to the community kindergarten. With the skills from the inclusive education training provided by World Renew and CFT, the teacher was able to encourage and teach him, step by step, until he eventually learned to sing children’s songs, count, and answer questions posed by the teacher.

At the beginning of this school year, Vat was interested to continue studying at primary school in order to join the other children in the village. His parents are no longer ashamed or afraid to send him to school. Being accepted by his teachers and peers has greatly improved Vat’s performance and attitude. This year the teacher had the confidence to give him more responsibility and assigned him as class leader. 

Blessings,

Kathleen Lauder

Country Consultant
World Renew Cambodia