In Cambodia, Meymey is thriving at school thanks to inclusive education

A childhood marked by obstacles 

11-year-old Meymey Mon, lives in Kampong Cham, Cambodia, with her grandparents and her aunt. Her parents work in Phnom Penh to support the family. 

Since she was very young, she has lived with osteogenesis imperfecta, a condition that fragilizes the bones. At the age of one, whille learning to stand, she fell, causing a fracture that led to the diagnosis. Since then, she has experienced numerous fractures, requiring regular medical check-ups and repeated hospitalizations. This condition has severely affected her mobility. 

For a long time, Meymey was unable to move around on her own. She was entirely dependent on her family, whether it was to go to school or to carry out simple everyday tasks. 

Going to school, a daily challenge 

Meymey is a pupil at Memaing Primary School, located about a half mile from her home. She travels there every day with her little sister on an electric tricycle that their parents bought with a bank loan. 

But at school, numerous obstacles made her daily life difficult. The school didn't have accessible ramps or accessible toilets, and the unpaved ground made it difficult for her to get around. The school furniture also made it hard for her to get into the classroom. For fear of causing a disturbance by asking for help, Meymey would sometimes wait all day before going to the restroom. 

On top of these difficulties came discrimination. Meymey was often subjected to insults and mockery from some of her classmates. All of this affected her academic performance and her well-being. 

Making school accessible and inclusive 

In 2023, HI launched an inclusive education project at the school in Memaing. The aim was to make the school environment accessible to all children and promote inclusion. 

Practical improvements were made within the school: the playground was fully paved with concrete and accessible toilets were built, fitted with a ramp and a handrail. In addition, a desk with an adapted chair was installed for Meymey. 

Furthermore, around ten teachers were trained in inclusive education to better support pupils with disabilities and to raise awareness of inclusion among all pupils, with the aim of combating discrimination. Meymey, along with 11 other pupils with disabilities, also received scholarships and school supplies from HI.

At the same time, Meymey was referred to the Kampong Cham physical rehabilitation center, where she received two wheelchairs, a new adapted tricycle, and a walking frame. This equipment has made her daily movements considerably easier and provided relief for her family 

A tangible impact on Meymey’s daily life 

Thanks to these adaptations and equipment, Meymey’s daily life has improved significantly. She can now get around more easily and participate fully in school life. The environment has become more inclusive and discrimination has decreased, thanks to awareness activities carried out with the students. 

“Now, I no longer have to hold back from going to the restroom at school. I can also take part in classroom activities,” explains Meymey. 

Today, she is continuing her education with great motivation. Her grades have improved and she is thriving at school. Her family is delighted to see her gaining independence and making progress in her studies. 

“Before, she didn’t do well at school. Since she’s been supported by HI, she’s improved a lot. She came second in her class,” her aunt says proudly.