From March 4th to 7th, 2025, Caritas Australia and its partner, Epic Arts from Cambodia, conducted an exchange visit to Trieu Phong district, where the project supporting people with disabilities has been implemented by the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) in cooperation with Trieu Phong District People's Committee. Participants included Mr. Pheakdey Chan – Country Representative for Cambodia and Vietnam, Ms. Sotheary Tum – Cambodia Program Manager, and Ms. Kakada Ngeth – Program Manager, EpiC ARTS partner.
Following the schedule, the delegation first had a working session with the project team in Hue, sharing insights on the experience of implementing activities supporting people with disabilities within the framework of the "Together We Can" project – VM075. Subsequently, the delegation went to the project area, meeting and exchanging with people with disabilities who are members of the Club and the Village Saving and Loan Asociate (VSLA) group, as well as the adults and children with disabilities participating in different project activities in Trieu Trung, Trieu Dai, Trieu Thanh, and Trieu Tai communes.
The delegation paid particular attention to specific activities such as safe, independent, responsive and accessible living environments for people with disabilities at home and in the community; improving and developing livelihoods for diversified income sources based on local available resources and their individual conditions; home-based visit for rehabilitation, community collaborators, clubs and its regular meetings, and community based classes with playgrounds that created an inclusive environment and promoted the active participation and self-management of parents and caregivers of people with disabilities.
Sharing with the project team, partners, and participants, the delegation acknowledged the positive changes and impacts on people with disabilities and their families after participating in the project, the spirit of mutual support among club members, as well as the responsibility and commitment of local authorities and the community. The delegation also expressed concern about safer environment to ensure the best protective participation of children and adults in community classes and playgrounds.
Finally, the delegation expressed their expectation of SRD and local partners continuing project implementation effectively, building on already achieved positive impacts and changes, and considering the planning process in the coming years that takes into account long-term sustainability for people with disabilities through participation, employment, and income generation opportunities, self-management capacity, and networking, so that people with disabilities can not only take an active role, live independently, and safely, but also together continue to shine and further develop.
Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)
No.31, Alley 19 Kim Dong Street, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi
Phone: +84 24 3943 6676/78 | Fax: +84 24 3943 6449
