ASIA/CAMBODIA - Australian Marist Brothers open special school in Cambodia for children with mental and physical disabilities

Wednesday, 20 October 2004

Phnom Penh (Fides Service) - Going to school or getting a job is taken for granted in Australia or in Europe but for many boys and girls in Cambodia, especially those with a disability, it is still an unattainable dream. This is why a team of Marist Brothers from Australia have opened a school in the capital of Cambodia.
The school with classes from elementary to high school has 80 pupils with mental or physical disabilities. Besides providing school lessons the staff of volunteers and religious Brothers and laity offer tender loving care to these unfortunate youngsters helping them to smile again and play and make friends and hope for the future. .
According to UNICEF Cambodia is among the South east Asian countries where children live in the worst condition: highest rate of diffusion of HIV/AIDS; increasing trafficking of minors; girls and boys are sold and bought by criminal gangs and forced to work in conditions of semi-slavery or trapped as victims of illegal adoption, or sexual abuse. UNICEF says that 35% of prostitutes in Cambodia are under 17 years of age and 43% are HIV+. UNICEF blames the situation on poverty, lack of education; some very poor families sell their children under the false conviction that this will guarantee their sons and daughters a better future.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/10/2004 righe 23 parole 237)


Share: