Create Change: Support Disability Empowerment

At Epic Arts we believe education should be for everyone. That’s why we’re working with local primary schools to create Integrated Classrooms- safe, inclusive spaces inside state schools where children with disabilities can learn alongside their peers.

We sat down with Kakada, our Program Director, to hear more about how these classrooms are opened, the challenges involved and the incredible impact they’re having on students, teachers and families.

“An integrated classroom is a class for children with disabilities inside a state school,” Kakada explains.
“It means they’re not learning separately outside of state school or in other centres, they’re part of the state school community.” 

But before a class can open, there’s a lot of groundwork to be done. The team meets with school directors, assesses accessibility, gathers support from local authorities and makes sure the school is ready.

“We don’t just pick any school, we choose based on how many children with disabilities they have, the schools location, what support they need and the commitment of the school leadership,” Kakada says.

Thanks to strong relationships with government and school leaders, Epic Arts now supports five integrated classrooms in Kampot, with a sixth coming soon! 

The feedback from families and schools has been powerful.

“One parent shared that they only had one motorbike,” Kakada explains. “The father chose to walk to work every day so the mother could take their child to school. That’s how deeply they valued their child’s education.”

One of Kakada’s most touching memories? A student who joined the class without speaking or engaging with others is now thriving in an inclusive class, and their parents didn’t even want the class to close on public holidays!

Why It Matters

Having children with and without disabilities learn and play together builds empathy and understanding from a young age.

“At first, students without disabilities felt shy or unsure,” Kakada says, “but now they’re playing and learning together like friends. That’s real inclusion.” 

Looking Ahead

Kakada’s dream is for every primary school in Kampot to have an integrated classroom which is led by schools themselves, not just supported by Epic Arts.

“We want to build a future where schools are ready and able to include all students, whether we’re there or not,” she says.

A huge thank you to our dedicated team, supportive local partners, government ministries and generous donors who make this work possible. Together, we’re opening doors and changing lives one classroom at a time!