CAMBODIA

Poverty Alleviation Through
Community Empowerment

Background

WRF created the PACE program in 2003 with support from the McMahan Center–Abilities Activists. The project was geared towards providing individualized vocational training in Veal Thom.

The creation of Veal Thom was the vision of its founder, Tooj Souerly a Khmer Rouge officer who lost a limb during Cambodia’s civil war. When the conflict ended, he and many other ex-combatants with disabilities from all of the warring factions were left to the streets of Phnom Penh—ignored and abandoned by the people who once regarded many of them as heroes.

Determined to help himself and other amputees, Tooj Souerly used his considerable advocacy skills to convince the Cambodian government to cede what seemed to be a worthless, overgrown plot of land for their use.

From jungle, they carved out a community where they could direct their own destiny and feel like they belong.

Word spread to people with disabilities through informal networks and Veal Thom’s population grew. People wanting to help themselves and support their neighbors formed this extraordinary community.

At the start of the program, Veal Thom was made up of approximately 1010, representing 227 families. Close to 100% of families have a member with a disability--many as a result of landmine accidents. The community leaders pledged to accept more people with disabilities and their families who have no farmland and are poor. Additionally, in planning for the future and the process of reintegration, the leaders will aim to have non-disabled families move into the village, as well.

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