In rural Cambodia, children living with intellectual disabilities are often hidden away – unseen by their communities, excluded from education, and forgotten by a world that does not recognise their worth.
The numbers are stark. Just 1.4 per cent of people living with a disability in Cambodia complete secondary school, while nearly 30% of children with disabilities over the age of seven have never attended school at all. In rural areas, the challenges are even greater.
With support from Australian supporters, Jesuit Mission Australia is working to change this. Through its partnership with the Jesuit-run Karuna Battambang Organisation (KBO) in Cambodia, children like 12-year-old Kanika are stepping out of the shadows and discovering their God-given potential.
When Kanika was born with a learning disability, her parents did not understand how to support her. In their village, disability was poorly understood and often viewed as a form of divine punishment. With no support and little hope, Kanika’s parents hid her indoors – away from neighbours’ whispers and stares.
But everything changed in 2017, when Kanika and her family began receiving support from a programme funded by Jesuit Mission and its compassionate supporters.
Today, Kanika is thriving. She attends school, reads and writes, dresses and bathes herself, and even helps her mum with daily chores. As her mother proudly shares:
“Kanika can now express her needs like any other child. She attends school. She can read and write. She’s even become more involved in our daily activities, like cooking rice and washing the dishes.”
This transformation is made possible by the Enhancing the Life of People with Intellectual Disabilities programme, which delivers specialised education, healthcare, family support, and community awareness initiatives in rural Cambodia. The programme also works to break the stigma of disability–fostering understanding, respect, and acceptance in communities where children are too often forgotten.
“Every child is precious and deserves the chance to live life to their full potential,” said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission. “With the support of our donors and project partners, children like Kanika are no longer hidden–they are celebrated and empowered.”
To support children with disabilities in Cambodia with life-changing education, please click here.
