Three parents of children living with disabilities shared the concern about their children’s learning and requested for more school for them who need special need, care and support for their education.

Mr. Sor Chan Rithy, 61, a father of a child with Autism spoke about parenting’s experiences, struggling, and support his family has given to his son. Life was tough to get to know that their child is diagnosed Autistic but nothing can change. He told “what we can do is to give him love, provide full support and teach him on basic living activities”.

Another mother, Mrs. Hoy Houng, 61, of a child with Down Syndrome also shared similar experiences in supporting her daughter. She said “every day is a challenge but we try our best as parents to ensure that she can live happily. At home we teach her to do certain

things such as eating, taking shower, wearing clothes and other basic activities to ensure that she can do things independently”. Mr. Chanthy and Mrs. Houng come regularly to Caritas’s Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health program (CCAMH) to get mental health services, special support, care for children and to quip themselves with skill to be able to take care their children at home. Both suggested the government and non-governmental organizations open more schools and train skilled teachers and special educators for children with special need and care.

Vice chairman of Caritas Cambodia called for more concerted effort.  He also emphasized if we work collaboratively we can share more and support for children and people who are living with disabilities. Presently, Caritas Cambodia’s CCAMH, Karuna Battambong, the local church and a couple of Catholic organizations are running programs to support people with mental health and intellectual disabilities. They provide special services for children, capacity building to train children and parents, outreach activities, education and other interventions to ensure holistic approaches is given for them.

Lastly, Bishop shared one of the delightful announcement from the Ministry of Religion asking all the parish and churches to prepare wheelchairs accessibility for disabled children and people.

• Karuna Presentation on Intervention of Intellectual Disabilities 22 Oct 2018
• CCAMH Intellectual Disabilities service gap in Cambodia 22 Oct 2018
• More photos