In Cambodia, Aide et Action has made education of children with disabilities one of its priority themes since the implementation of its first programs in 2003. Cambodia is a very young country, where one out of three people is under 15 years old, and where 8% of people live with some form of disability. This huge proportion is partly explained by the country's history and landmine accidents. But poverty, malnutrition and disease also contribute to the risk of disability.

In terms of education, Cambodians with disabilities are the most marginalised. More than one child out of two has never been to a classroom, partly because the government is slow to implement a policy to promote access to an environment adapted to their needs, and partly because the parents of these children, for cultural reasons, tend to see disability as a source of bad karma, and therefore of shame. For Aide et Action, the aim is to promote children's access to education, while creating a change in family mentalities and lobbying political actors.

An example of child-friendly pedagogy through artistic expression

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Last September, a new milestone was reached in our work with the publication of a specialised teaching manual for children with disabilities. Entitled "Learning Through Creative Arts", the manual created in partnership with Epic Arts enables teachers to teach children by stimulating their creativity and their relationship with play. It was developed following several studies conducted by Aide et Action on the importance of a specialised pedagogy for vulnerable children, especially those with disabilities, where play and artistic expression, including dance, are central.

The publication of this manual is a strong sign for the education of the excluded in Cambodia. Our work shows that concrete steps can be taken to improve the situation of people with disabilities, and that this starts with an adapted pedagogy. Aide et Action is currently promoting the manual throughout the country to ensure that schools take ownership of it, thus contributing to a significant improvement in the school environment for children. We thank the Alta Mane Foundation for its financial support for the creation of the manual.

We invite you to consult the Learning Through Creative Arts Manual by clicking on this link!