A young girl raised by a determined mother
Born in Tropang Rung, Kampong Cham province, Sokchea grew up in difficult conditions. Immediately aware of her child’s disability, her mother, Then Phal, took her to a hospital in the capital, Phnom Penh, for urgent care when she was just three days old. But the hospital had no rehabilitation services. Once back in her village, Sokchea still had no access to rehabilitation care and so was destined to be unable to walk and have very limited mobility.
A few months later, tragedy struck the family again when Sokchea's father died. Then Phal suddenly found herself bringing up their daughter alone. Caring for Sokchea while also working on the farm, Then Phal never gave up. She was determined to find solutions to improve Sokchea’s life.
Constant support from HI from the age of two
In 2010, when Sokchea was 2 years old, her mother heard about HI's Physical Rehabilitation Centre in Kampong Cham and decided to take her. This was a real turning point. As soon as she arrived, Sokchea began receiving rehabilitation care and assistive devices to help with her mobility. The results soon made themselves felt: her strength and balance began to improve. At the age of 6, she was finally able to get around on her knees, an important first step towards autonomy. Thanks to her mother's unwavering commitment and to the regular care she received at the rehabilitation centre in Kampong Cham, Sokchea gradually become more mobile. In 2017, she received a walking frame and began practicing to walk at home.
Walking herself to school
Sokchea worked so hard that in 2022, at the age of 11, she was able to walk and write without assistance:
“I started school at the age of 11, first in pre-school, then in the first year of primary school,” says Sokchea.
At school, she has been supported by HI’s inclusive education project to help her to integrate. Thanks to this project, Sokchea has benefited from an adapted school environment, with teachers trained to support pupils with disabilities.
In 2023, Sokchea moved up to the fourth year of Sro Nge primary school, a feat she attributes to her hard work and the encouragement of her teachers and mother.
Dreams and gratitude
Today, Sokchea is 16 years old. She is ambitious and determined to continue her education:
”I want to complete my studies and find a job to help my mother. I'm really grateful to HI, my teachers and especially my mother, who has always been there for me, ever since I was little.”
