June 2015 was my first trip to Cambodia. From the moment I stepped through the arrivals gate at Phnom Penh airport and was greeted by the warm smile of the pick up guy Piseth Nuth I fell in love with the Kingdom of Cambodia. During my first week I was intoxicated by the city’s chaotic yet charismatic atmosphere and the spirit of the Cambodian people.
Despite the Khmer’s turbulent history of bloodshed, poverty and political instability the Khmer have still managed to keep a smile on their faces. The happiness and compassion of the local people has resonated so deep within me that I now consider Cambodia to be my home or “phteah” in Khmer. I often tell friends and family or those willing to listen Cambodia stole my heart and when I’m away from the Kingdom of Cambodia I certainly long to be back home.
An accomplice to stealing my heart is Koy Phallany, executive director of Khemara Organisation. During my short spells in Cambodia I have had the honour of working alongside this fantastic grassroots organisation. Khemara’s work in the local community is endless, from running free daycare centres for disadvantaged children to running AIDS/HIV prevention projects.
On a Sunday morning Phallany met my boyfriend and I to take us to Koh Dach (Silk Island) located just a short drive away from the capital. After taking a ferry across the Mekong river Koh Dach island is a different pace of life from the capital. With dirt track roads and traditional stilt houses painted in various shades of blue with the Brahman cows munching on hay with their bells gently ringing in the breeze.
Although the island sounds idyllic many of the residents here suffer from high levels of unemployment and poverty. The purpose of our visit was to see the Khan family who were struggling to make ends meet. The mother had just given birth to a baby girl who was just four weeks old and the father who is disabled is unable to find work.
Before the mother gave birth the parents drove 160 km everyday to pick snails to sell where they roughly earnt $2 per day to feed a family of six. However with a baby to care for their combined wage is limited. The father struggles to find work due to his disability although a decree was signed in 2010 where state-run institutions must employ one disabled person per 50 employees, while private companies are obligated to employ one disabled person per 100. However these quotas are barely filled and disabled people are often subjected to discrimination and are unable to find well - paid secure jobs. If disabled people are able to find jobs it’s often in low-paid and dangerous work.
Phallany heard about the family through one of Khemara’s daycare centres where two of the children attend whilst their parents are at work. Hagar International kindly donates $50 per month to the family as well as rice to help the family during these desperate times.
Unfortunately stories such as these are far too common in Cambodia. Our next stop was evident of this as we were off to see a family who live five minutes around the corner. Single mother Chenda and her two children who both attend one of the daycare centres run by Khemara on the island. Her youngest child Bopha is disabled when we arrived he had just taken a tumble trying to run around with his friends and was seeking a kiss and cuddle from Mum for his grazed knee.
This courageous little boy aged four was born with a disability, when I ask his mother “What did the doctor’s diagnose him with?” she responded “I don’t know”. Unfortunately services for disabled people are still very limited and the healthcare sector are unable to provide key services such as assistive devices, medical rehabilitation, physiotherapy, education and training. Virtually all services for disabled people in Cambodia are delivered by NGO’s and with the current uncertain funding climate many charities have had to cut back resources leaving many families without access to healthcare services.
Bopha’s fingers and toes are locked into a fist leaving him some difficulties with his day to day life. Through the Public Health programme run by Khemara in partnership with Projects Abroad Bopha is now able to walk, previously his sister and mother carried him but with encouragement from the staff he is now up and about with his friends causing mischief. The teachers also provide him with basic physiotherapy which means his fingers are still flexible which will be extremely important for the future.
Stories such as Bopha and the Khan family are just the tip of the iceberg. As in most developing countries, accurate statistics on the number of disabled people in Cambodia are not available. Nevertheless it is estimated that Cambodia has one of the highest rates of disability in the developing world (UN ESCAP 2002). Disability and poverty are inextricably intertwined.It is estimated that 36% of the population in Cambodia live below the poverty line of US $0.40-0.63. Poverty is a significant cause of disability. It is poor people who are often victims of mine and UXOs (unexploded ordnance) as they are forced to live near mine areas and collect food or firewood. They are also unable to access basic healthcare meaning that simple infections, illnesses and injuries often result in permanent disability because they go untreated. For example, untreated childhood ear infections are a major cause of permanent hearing loss in children.
Although there are some fantastic NGO’s supporting the local community such as Action on Disability and Development (ADD), Handicap International and Khemara (who are looking to extend their services for disabled children) a greater understanding and awareness of disability in Cambodia is needed.
Throughout my blog I have criticised the development sector for not including disabled people within mainstream development and Cambodia is another prime example. It is critical that organisations engage with the disabled sector, that the government is supported to resume more responsibility for its disabled citizens and that disabled people are empowered.
If we were to witness changes such as these perhaps little Bopha and the Khan family will be able to lead a life where they have access to a secure job and healthcare. I certainly think they deserve all the happiness in the world and more.
My next blog will be about my trip to Tboung Khmum Province in Cambodia.
If you would like to find out more about Khemara please visit their website and to donate please visit their JustGiving page.
* Names have been changed.
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