The Stats
The Problem
People with disabilities (PWD) face persistent discrimination in Cambodian society and there are a variety of factors that contribute to this. A few are characteristic of the discrimination PWD face worldwide including lack of understanding about disability, disbelief in PWD's potential, embarrassment, etc, One factor that particularly affects PWD in Cambodia is the societal stigmas embedded in karma, which lead people to believe that disability is a form of punishment for a crime committed in a past life. All of this stigmatization leads to tragic outcomes where PWD are left vulnerable to homelessness, abuse and neglect and are denied access to basic care. Children with disabilities (CWD) are especially at risk, as they can often be abandoned at birth as families do not have the knowledge nor the means to afford the necessary care required.
Ways We Help
Prevention
Preventing the stigmatization of CWD often begins with educating the parents about their child's specific disability and how to adapt their parenting to fit their child's needs. Our disability centre in Neak Loeung offers support for parents to reduce stigmatization and address any challenges, they face with raising a child with disabilities.
Disability Training Program
Throughout 2021 and 2022, Damnok Toek, in collaboration with nine other NGOs, provided specialized training focused on working with PWD for practitioners nationwide. This training was aimed at educators, caregivers, and other professionals working with PWD that do not hold a formal degree of education in the field.
It is our hope that this training will increase the interest of professionals to work with PWD, and more broadly, raise awareness of the importance of working with PWD. In this way, we believe we can further destigmatize the idea of disability and improve the care that is given to PWD across the country.
Protection
Through our Outreach program in Neak Loeung, our social workers identify children with disabilities in the community to offer support services through the Day Care Centre (DCC).
We work closely with other NGOs and the commune/district leaders to ensure that more families are aware of the services available at the centre as well as the potential for their children to acquire new skills.
Small-Group Homes (SGH)
Our SGHs in Neak Loeung are open to children with both intellectual and physical disabilities, many of whom were victims of trafficking or were abandoned and could not be placed in foster or kinship care. These homes provide children with disabilities (CWD) full-time care and a family-like environment as they grow up with other CWD and their caretakers. Learn more through the stories of Makara* and Chanvatey*.
Rehabilitation
Day-Care Centre (DCC)
A centre where children from the SGHs and CWD from the community spend time every day and have access to multiple services including:
- Medical Care
- Physical Therapy
- Psychosocial Support
- Sensory Integration
- Opportunities for Basic Education
The centre is continuously growing and our staff regularly receive updated training, which has allowed the centre to become a point of reference for rehabilitation and social inclusion in the community.
Damnok Toek Kep
DT Kep was established in 2016 in response to the need for a safe environment for people with disabilities (PWD) who have outgrown alternative care programs as they turn 18 years old. Due to their disabilities and the disenfranchisement they have experienced, the beneficiaries have not been given the skills nor opportunities to perform roles in society that would allow them to live unassisted.
This project has two main features:
-The Residence: provides accommodation, nutritious meals, life-skill education, and necessary medical care according to their needs, including psychosocial and educational support.
-The Farm: provides residents with life skills through farm work. The farm consists of organic vegetable gardens, tea, and livestock. Residents work on the farm and are educated in the entire process of growing and harvesting vegetables, caring for chickens as well as producing and cultivating tea.
Reintegration
Unfortunately, many of the CWD in our care have been abandoned by their families. When this is the case, our main focus is to increase their sense of self-worth and support their development. We are always assessing possibilities for family reintegration or placement in foster/kinship care whenever while providing safety and basic needs to the children in the meantime.
For adults with less severe disabilities who were unable to be reintegrated with family, we established La Farmidable at DT Kep, which will operate as a social business designed to equip residents with more specialised life skills and vocational training, as well as semi-independent living arrangements. This will be coupled with more responsibility and a salary in the hope that this additional autonomy will provide the experience the beneficiary would need to become fully independent and reintegrate into society.
It is our belief and experience that positive reinforcement, education, respect, training, and support are the most effective means of preventing future exploitation of these individuals.
Learn more about the success of our reintegration efforts with PWD through the incredible story of Thach Sokchamroeun, our accountant at DT Kep!
