Empower young people with disabilities in Cambodia

Thanks for supporting the Inclusive Arts Course at Epic Arts. Each year shy and nervous students, who’ve never taken part in the arts before, are empowered through our creative education curriculum.

But we don’t just run courses, our day-to-day programmes are backed up with advocacy and lobbying because every child deserves an education.

The majority of our students come to us we little, or no experience of formal education because of stigma of their disabilities or access to schools. We thought that we’d let you know about an exciting behind-the-scenes update

Country Director Onn Sokny has been selected to be part of the NGO Education Partnership Committee on Primary Education. Over the next two years the committee will work together with the Cambodian Government to create a strategy to reach the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goal to ensure inclusive and quality education for all! 

Growing up with a disability Sokny knows the challenges that children with disabilities face,describing how she felt about her disability as a child Sokny said,

“I used to pretend that I didn’t have a disability. I would cover my leg every day with a long sarong. I wouldn’t dare to look in a mirror because I hated what I saw and how I looked. Each day I wished that people would be nice to me, that they wouldn’t look down on me. I didn’t realise that I had the right to dream, that I even had a right to a future. When I think back to that little girl I want make her believe in herself. I want to tell her it will get better, you are unique & valued. You’ll find people who will believe in you and eventually you’ll believe in yourself!”

 Being selected for this prestigious national committee is great news for our Inclusive Education Programme which aims to empower, educate and transform children and young people to lead independent &fulfilled lives.

Your Gift Means a Lot

We receive no statutory funding for our programme so we rely on donations from generous donors like you to fund our life-changing courses and advocacy work.

Please consider setting up a monthly donation to help us continue our transformational work.

From all of the Epic Arts team thank you for your continued support

The Inclusive Arts Course has finished for another group of young people but their journeys are not over. Seven graduates you supported on the course were employed this year!

As our Inclusive education team prepare for a new intake of students, we’ll update you on the graduates who’ve been employed at Epic Arts!

Hang – Epic Creations Shop Assistant

Hang is using the skills she learnt on the Inclusive Arts Course in the Epic Creations shop in Kampot. She’s enthusiastically making Handicrafts and learning about customer service from her mentor and Shop Leader, Sina.

“ I am very happy that I can work in Epic Creations Shop. I really like to work with my boss, Sina, she has lots of skills and is teaching me how to make different products like, notebooks postcards and bags! I am so happy!” – Hang, 2019 Graduate and Shop Member

Malis – Community Arts Performer

Malis joined our community outreach team and has been working hard learning performances and workshops. As part of the team she’s already delivered 5 creative workshops in local schools.

“My family and community have changed the way they think about me, before the course they thought that I couldn’t do anything, but now they admired because I have ability good attitude and I’m thoughtful. My dream is to go on to become an excellent drama performer.” - Malis, 2019 Graduate and Epic Creations Assistant

Your Gift Means a lot

The majority of our students join us at the start of the course with little confidence after being isolated from their communities because of their disabilities. Our Inclusive Arts Course is an opportunity for young people with and without disabilities to not only learn artistic skills but to develop into confident people who believe in themselves.

Support us by donating again and transforming the lives of young people with disabilities in Cambodia!