Overview

In the developing world, persons with disabilities face discrimination at every level of society. Often excluded from education, employment opportunities and community life, they are the poorest of the poor. We are working with people with disabilities in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, East Timor and Indonesia to promote equal rights and opportunities through rehabilitation, capacity building and advocacy. In many low income countries, there is a severe lack of expertise in areas such as prosthetics and orthotics (the prescription and fitting of artificial limbs and orthopaedic braces). Yet these skills are vital for persons with disabilities such as landmine survivors and people affected by polio, cerebral palsy, leprosy and diabetes. We train Prosthetist-Orthotists from countries such as Cambodia, Iraq, Malaysia, the Philippines and Papua New Guinea, in order to build the foundation for sustainable, locally-run physical rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities.

Background

The Cambodia Trust was founded in 1989 to provide prosthetic care for land mine survivors in Cambodia. Opening clinics first in the capital city, Phnom Penh (1992), and subsequently in Sihanoukville (1993) and Kompong Chnang (1995). While initially focused on prosthetic services the clinics have evolved into Physical Rehabilitation Centres offering prosthetics, orthotics, physiotherapy, and community work programs for persons with disabilities. Current Activities: 1. Provision of training in prosthetics and orthotics through the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics ( CSPO ), 2. Provision of rehab services including prosthetics, orthotics, and physiotherapy in the 3 rehabilitation centres, 3. Community programmes to provide services for people with disabilities in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Sihanoukville, Kampot and Kompong Chhnang,

Mission

The Cambodia Trust’s overall mission is “ to enable persons with disabilities to participate in the life of the community”.

Vision

The Cambodia Trust’s long-term vision is equal rights for persons with disabilities in an inclusive barrier-free society.

Staff