Cambodia: a new prosthesis for Srey Neang

A young girl who is growing up fast

Sunlight filters through the foliage of tall trees, illuminating Srey Neang and her mother, Negt Nga, as they enter the courtyard of the Kampong Cham community rehabilitation center in Cambodia. The young girl is warmly welcomed by Raksmeymutta Nguon, HI's rehabilitation officer. They know each other well, as Srey Neang has been coming here almost every year for the past five years to have her prosthesis replaced. Exchanging the latest news, they head to the workshops where prosthetists and orthotists are waiting to take the girl's measurements to make her a new prosthesis.

At the age of four, Srey Neang stepped on an explosive device, a terrible accident that cost her her right leg. She was 11 when HI started providing her with her first prosthesis. But a growing girl like Srey Neang needs to have her prosthesis adjusted and replaced very regularly to ensure that it remains perfectly adapted to her leg and comfortable.

"From childhood to adulthood, I need a lot of prostheses because as I grow, they become either too tight or completely unsuitable, and they have to be replaced every year. As soon as I tried the new prosthesis, I found it more comfortable and easier to use than the previous one. Now I no longer feel any discomfort or pain, which will make everyday tasks such as cleaning, cycling to school, or playing soccer easier for me. I am very happy," says Srey Neang.

A teenage life full of dreams and determination

Srey Neang is now 16 years old and lives with her family in the province of Kampong Thom in central Cambodia. She is in her third year of high school.

"I cycle to school every day without any difficulty; in fact, I quite enjoy it. I like it because I cycle with my friends and we chat about this and that on the way."

When she is not at school, Srey Neang helps with household chores: cooking rice, washing dishes, and cleaning the house. When it is the season, she also helps harvest rice in the fields. But whenever she has free time, she loves to read, draw, and play soccer with her brothers and sisters.

"I dream of becoming a doctor. But as my family is in a difficult financial situation, I am considering stopping my studies after secondary school to start working quickly. If HI didn't help us, I wouldn't be able to come to the rehabilitation center and get new prostheses when I need them," explains Srey Neang.

The young girl remains very determined, as evidenced by her participation in the international conference reviewing the Ottawa Treaty in Siem Reap in November 2024. She gave a moving speech, telling her story and pleading against the use of mines and explosive devices. "I felt great joy and immense happiness at being able to talk about my life to the whole world," she recalls.

"I saw how Srey Neang gradually gained confidence in herself," concludes Raksmeymutta Nguon, "and I am confident about her future."

The community-based rehabilitation center in Kampong Cham, founded by HI in 1992, aims to facilitate access to rehabilitation services – artificial limbs and braces, physical therapy, and social services – for as many people as possible. Every year, over two thousand people are treated by HI teams: 230 patients received prostheses in 2025.