Therapy Services for 80 Cambodian Families

In our last report we shared that the ABLE Project had received five new cases within a two-month period. That trend has continued, as we have received an additional seven cases in the last three months. This highlights the tremendous need for services to support families in caring for children with disabilities and chronic health needs here in Cambodia. The lack of services available to families means that many families have a difficult choice to make – relinquish their child to institutional care, or try to care for their child the best they can without access to any interventions to improve their child’s situation. Families who are caring for a child with disabilities or a chronic health condition face tremendous pressure with regard to resources of time and money and, in many cases, experience a decline in their child’s and family’s situation. But, the good news is that, with the right supports, these children and families can thrive. This is why it is so vital that these supports be provided. Without them, children with disabilities do not have the same opportunity to have their right to appropriate care within a loving family protected.

The ABLE Project team is not only working on building our own capacity to meet these needs, we have been offering up assistance to other organizations so their staff are equipped with skills to make their services more inclusive of children with disabilities and responsive to their needs as well. Through trainings and consultation we are building stronger collaborative relationships with partners to work with them in making quality care available to more children with disabilities. As we look to the future we recognize that we need to continue to keep building on both of these fronts: building our own capacity through hiring and training additional staff, and continuing to develop a more structured approach to helping other organizations build their capacity. Many organizations working together in close collaboration will have a widespread impact in making family based care inclusive throughout Cambodia. The ABLE Project is committed to having a strong role in this effort.

Recently, Family Care First produced a video to highlight the work of the ABLE Project and the difference that inclusive family based care can mean for a child. Srey Oun* had been abandoned at a local hospital and her family could not be located. She was born with significant congenital anomalies which made it difficult for her to eat. She was also blind and in need of surgery. Children In Families received her into emergency foster care and the ABLE staff began working with her and her emergency caregiver, while also working with CIF’s social work staff to find a long term foster family for her. Please click on the link below to watch the video and see the beautiful difference inclusive support for family based care has made in the life of this little girl.

* Child's name has been changed

Links:

• https://www.facebook.com/FCFREACT/videos/2354907911415697/UzpfSTE2ODg0ODQ2OTE5MToxMDE1NzM3NzEyOTYzOTE5Mg/