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Education
Government in Cambodia is explicitly committed to addressing the special needs of children and young people with disabilities. There exists a large gap between this proclaimed ideal and the reality. The education system nation-wide, does not nearly cope with the needs of children and young people. Those of them with disabilities are at a very distinct disadvantage in this already problematic situation.
The lack of government resources and the inadequacy of whatever intends to be a social service network, together with the poverty of many Cambodians, all render people with disabilities one of society's most vulnerable groups. Because of their disabilities they are often excluded from development services and programs. Sometimes marginalized and vulnerable they can be subjected to discrimination and even violence. High school education, especially in rural Cambodia contends with a range of difficulties. Teachers are inadequately remunerated. Consequently costs are passed on to the students and many Cambodian families cannot meet these schooling costs. The high school drop out rate is a cause for concern. Most children and young people with disabilities do not persevere in high school. Conditions and costs, the age of the students, the availability of a school near their homes, accessing and moving around their school, a lack of family understanding and help, all mitigate against normal progress year by year. Circumstances such as these compel these young people to opt out of school. Marist Mission Center Australia together with Stichting Liliane Fonds, the Netherlands provides schooling assistance to children and young people with disabilities.
Stichting Liliane Fonds Scholarship Project
This project is funded by Stichting Liliane Fonds, the Netherlands . It provides financial support for schooling assistances to children and young people with disabilities to their continue secondary schooling near their home.
The responsibilities of staff members as the field workers are to visit each child/ young person on a three-monthly basis in order to:
- monitor their scholastic progress and check their record of school attendance,
- assess the viability any business venture,
- evaluate to what extent the family situation is supportive to the child, through a home visit,
- evaluate and adjust if necessary any funding assistance required, e.g transport, extra school course etc,
- assess with the appropriate authorities any ongoing medical rehabilitation that may be required,
- continue to encourage the child to meet and succeed when faced by challenges.
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