CAMBODIA
Integrated dance
Biography
Epic Arts is an arts charity established in 2001 who organise and run visual art, drama, dance and music projects for people with disabilities. Our projects celebrate the creative potential of those with whom we work, by offering new skills and giving each participant an outlet for their creative expression. Epic Arts works with the philosophy that Every Person Counts (EPiC).
One of Epic's five programme is the Advocacy Performance Programme which has seen the professional dance group featuring dancers with and without disabilities take tours to Europe and Asia.
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Epic Arts promotes integration of people of all abilities using the arts as a form of expression, empowerment, education and employment. This is vital in a country where an estimated 4% people have some form of disability.
- Epic Arts' original vision is:
- To change attitudes towards disability by promoting an integrated approach to Dance, Drama, Music and Art working with a wide range of people with and without disability.
- To build confidence and creativity for people with disability, not only in the arts, but in their wider lives and careers.
Since 2007, Epic Arts has hosted the SPOTLIGHT project; producing the 2008 festival and further researching artists with disabilities across Asia. In 2009 the project will focus on developing the network of artists through this website and the quarterly newsletters.
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Traditional music
Biography
AAD's mission is to end the cycle of poverty and discrimination facing people with disabilities; to help them build a sustainable future through self-sufficiency. We do this through timely intervention, unflagging support, and limitless encouragement. We provide a secure home, education, resources, and a community where our people can open up a lifetime of possibilities.
This is the first performing arts group for the disabled in Siem Reap. A dedicated troupe of players gives regular performances of a specially written piece, Life Is Suffering, Life Is Hope, both at the house and at venues in town. Full of color, movement and music, the show is a moving portrayal of overcoming incredible odds to lead a full and happy life.
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Our traditional Khmer master musicians - all disabled or blind - get up at six for the daily practise session, then perform every day, all day, at the nearby Bantrey Kdai temple.
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Traditional music and dance
Biography
First Cambodian Foundation assisting deprived, blind and deaf children, Krousar Thmey ("New Family" in Khmer) provides deprived Cambodian children with material, educational and social support in harmony with their environment and respectful of their traditions and beliefs. Their purpose is to help children develop and blossom into responsible adults. Krousar Thmey takes great care that its aid neither creates disharmony between a child and his relatives and friends, nor creates privileged or dependent children. Since 1991, Krousar Thmey has been committed to three kinds of activities all over Cambodia: Education and schooling support, Child welfare and Cultural and artistic development.
In each of our protection centers, children have created their own dance and music troupes. Thanks to their unflagging efforts, they perform shows of exceptional quality. As recognized young artists, they are very much in demand for official performances and galas. This helps them recover their dignity.
Opened in Sisophon in 1996, in the province where Khmer culture is in the most peril, a school of Khmer Arts and Culture school is a model for arts in the country. The school works with two secondary schools in town which reserve one hour a week for each class to learn an artistic activity. This allows 1500 students a year to learn drawing, sculpture, dance, music or Shadow Theatre.
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Theatre/shadow puppets
Biography
This group of 12 young adults with physical disabilities advocates the integration in the Khmer society, of disabled persons and non-disabled people and promotes the respect of disabled people's rights.
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To reach their goals, they organize:
- Film showing and follow up discussion in public school, villages,
- Performing part of the drama,
- Short training courses (management skills),
- Education of disabled and poor children about self empowerment,
- Vocational training by finding schools or centers for people with disabilities,
- Education about disability to the public and institutions.
Contact details:
Traditional music
Biography
In 2004 there were 80 physically disabled children, ranging in age from 10 - 15 years, attending Salla Lavalla. Coming from many parts of Cambodia, they live at the school and work long hours to catch up on their schooling as quickly as possible. Most of the children haven't had the chance to go to school, or had to stop going to school because of a range of difficulties such as lack of money, an absence of transportation, or the negative attitudes of others.
Many of the children are disabled because of polio. Some have mild cerebral palsy, while others have had to have limbs amputated because they have stepped on landmines or were unable to get good medical treatment when it was needed.
Once the students complete the primary course, they are then able to sit for the entrance exams into secondary school, or enter vocational training programs such as mechanical or woodwork courses. Students, who are able to get into a mainstream school or centre, have the chance to obtain qualifications and skills to get a good job.
Grapes for Humanity US. Inc. founded in May 2008 a programme of music tuition for young people with disabilities in Sala Lavalla school. This programme offers many young people with disabilities an attractive opportunity to master a musical instrument and to perform, individually or as a member of a group. They are learning traditional and modern music once a week and they already perform in ten or so times in Cambodia.
