Better lives for disable people

Kong Thuok Family: mother, two daughtersherself once her mother passes away.
Even though, a reliable count of the current disabledSSF is working with Socheat as a pilot project
population is not available, however, it is generallythroughout the Kampong Speu province to show the
accepted that Cambodia has one of the highest ratescommunity that people with Cerebral Palsy can
of disability in the world and that approximately 21%indeed become independent members of society.
of the disabled population are children. The mostSSF supports visits from the physiotherapists who
common types of disability among children inhave helped restore some basic motor functions in
Cambodia are Polio, hearing and visual problems andSocheat. Socheat can now sit up in her wheelchair by
problems relating to the brain such as Cerebral Palsyherself. She can also speak and express herself,
and emotional and behavioral problems. Source:which she formally could not.
WorldEnableAdditionally, SSF has given Mrs. Kong Thuok three
grants of US $375 to begin and later to expand her
There is a long history of discrimination against thegrocery selling business. Because grocery selling is a
disabled in Cambodia. Most Cambodians believe that ahard business, we encourage her to enjoy her life
disabled person did something in his/her previous lifewith her children and continue to support her. In
to deserve this condition, thus must be left alone toaddition to paying for her much-needed goiter
suffer and wait until their next life. So is the caseoperation, SSF continues to give Mrs. Kong Thuok US
with Kong Thuok’s daughter, Socheat. Socheat$20 each month for transportation to Phom Penh to
was born with Cerebral Palsy, one of 400 casesget her HIV medications.
throughout the Kampong Speu province. Her motherIn the future we will continue to work with Socheat
is infected with HIV, and her older sister hasso she can hopefully become the head of her family.
disowned the family, leaving Socheat in charge of