On 25 August 2023, DT hosted a walking campaign for disability awareness in Kep Province. The aim of the event was to raise awareness of the rights and abilities of people with intellectual disabilities. The walking campaign consisted of two separate groups comprised of residents and staff of DT Kep, beneficiaries and staff of Kampuchea Sëila Handicap, Komar Pikar Foundation and Epic Arts, Kep local authorities, and community members.
Each group began the walk from locations 1km away from the DT Kep Centre. The Kep Secondary School was chosen as a starting point in the hopes that the walking group would pique the interest of school-goers and community members around the school. The other starting location was just off the main road, next to a bustling local shop.
Walking for Advocacy
Damnok Toek residents dressed up and were excited to lead the event. The girls flashed freshly painted nails, proudly showing off their dresses for the occasion. By 7:30 am, all attendees had arrived and were escorted to their respective starting locations. The two processions included people walking, pushing wheelchairs, and riding in tuk-tuks and cars.
Loudspeakers inside the tuk-tuks played joyful music and participants waved Cambodian flags and banners reading “Providing job for person with disability according to their ability!”, a slogan chosen by DT residents as the message they most wanted the public to hear. Shortly before 8 am, both groups arrived at the DT Kep project site combining into one procession to conclude the walk.
Collaboration Leads to a Successful Event
Following the walk, DT welcomed the participants at the project site with a reception, which included speeches from DT’s Executive Director, Sovannarith Sam, Kampuchea Sëila Handicap’s Executive Director, Soung Sephan, Komar Pikar Foundation’s Director, Kong Vichetra, DoSVY Deputy Director, Mrs. Neak Chanly, and DT resident, Ieang.
This event was the first time Ieang had given a public speech. “Before coming to Damnok Toek, I was forced to beg,” he said. “I did not have food or shelter. Then I was rescued. I have been well treated by this organization. I was educated, and I now join daily activities such as caring for the younger residents, planting, and producing tea.”
Following the speeches, attendees from Epic Arts gave a lesson in basic sign language. They also performed a moving dance routine themed on the experience of people with disabilities in Cambodia.
DT’s Community-Focused Approach to Inclusion
Awareness-raising events like this are part of a larger initiative spearheaded by Damnok Toek to increase the visibility of people with intellectual disabilities in the Kep community with the intention that this participation will lead to job opportunities for the residents of DT Kep in the future. Ultimately, the goal is the full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities, especially intellectual disabilities, into society.
To increase the visibility of people with disabilities in the community, DT residents have been doing regular beach trips, attending markets, participating in events with NGOs and volunteering in clean-ups of local areas. Increasing the interaction between people with intellectual disabilities and community members has already made a significant difference in the way people with intellectual disabilities are perceived and treated in the community.
Disability Awareness Crucial to Disability Rights
Changing public perception surrounding intellectual disability is a long-term goal of DT’s. It is a complex issue and will require a flexible and dynamic approach. With support from the Danish organization, LEV, DT intends to form a network with other NGOs working in the field of disability to help orchestrate future awareness-raising events and promote greater community advocacy efforts.
Simultaneously, DT is working to empower the residents of the Kep Project by increasing the organisation’s capacity, especially in communication techniques with people with intellectual disabilities, and engaging in bi-monthly self-help groups where the Semi-Independent Living Arrangement residents can voice their concerns, share their experiences, and learn from each other. Ultimately, DT intends for the self-help group to transform into a larger platform for self-advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities, not only at DT Kep, but also in the wider region.
Organizational capacity development, empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities, strong network building, and awareness-raising campaigns are at the crux of what DT believes will lead to full inclusion and rights recognition of people with intellectual disabilities in Cambodian society.
