Hagar presented ground breaking research, "Toward a Cooperative Future: A Study on the Situation of Children with Intellectual Disabilities in Cambodia" on July 15.  Representatives from the Government of Cambodia's Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation  and UNICEF attended the workshop presented at the Cambodiana Hotel in Phnom Penh.   

Hagar staff and children from House of Smiles participated in the day.  The children performed a short role play and introduced themselves to the participants.  Yan Bunnaro also sang a song about a frog coming home from school.

 The research was commissioned by Hagar and supported by UNICEF, the Disability Action Council and the Komar Pikar Foundation.  The research found that children with intellectual and/or severe disabilities in Cambodia have very few services currently available. 

"They face widespread discrimination within their families, communities, schools, and hospitals," said Jennifer Carter, researcher and author of the final report.  "The key areas of need are education, health, poverty alleviation and inclusion in society." 

Recommendations include adding intellectual disability to Cambodia's disability sector and creating new and adapting existing programs to suit the unique needs of children with intellectual disabilities. 

"As the needs of persons with intellectual disabilities are numerous and varied, appropriate service provision will require cooperation between the relevant government ministries (MoH, MoEYS, and MoSVY), NGOs, and the private sector in Cambodia," Carter said.

How does Hagar respond to children with intellectual and severe disabilities?  Read about House of Smiles and Community Based Rehabilitation.

Read the Research Here.