Cambodia: a time for change
photo by Prabhjot Singh
KILT founder, Muy Seu Bel (Bel), is a Cambodian landmine victim, and since the age of seven, after having had his right leg amputated, he has had to fend for himself.
Bel is a lucky man: a fortunate meeting with Mr. Akira, the director of a De-mining NGO and a founder of sheltered home for children with physical disabilities, gave Bel the opportunity to learn English and go to University.
And yet, despite his qualifications, the moment employers found out he was an amputee, Bel’s applications were turned down time after time.
Pushed by his anger at the unfairness of this situation, Bel decided to join forces with others like himself, and find a way to make the difference to their lives. Musicians, painters and teachers - but also people with no specific qualifications put their skills to good use: performing live music in the Angkor Wat Temple complex; teaching English in the poorer schools in outer-city suburbs and learning to make hard-stone jewellery. Their profits were reinvested in their Association, and their activities started multiplying.
In 2009 Bel and his young friends, with a lot of hard work and a little help from a handful of foreign friends, founded KILT - the Khemer Independant Life Team, an officially recognized NGO.
Bel is a lucky man: a fortunate meeting with Mr. Akira, the director of a De-mining NGO and a founder of sheltered home for children with physical disabilities, gave Bel the opportunity to learn English and go to University.
And yet, despite his qualifications, the moment employers found out he was an amputee, Bel’s applications were turned down time after time.
Pushed by his anger at the unfairness of this situation, Bel decided to join forces with others like himself, and find a way to make the difference to their lives. Musicians, painters and teachers - but also people with no specific qualifications put their skills to good use: performing live music in the Angkor Wat Temple complex; teaching English in the poorer schools in outer-city suburbs and learning to make hard-stone jewellery. Their profits were reinvested in their Association, and their activities started multiplying.
In 2009 Bel and his young friends, with a lot of hard work and a little help from a handful of foreign friends, founded KILT - the Khemer Independant Life Team, an officially recognized NGO.
The KILT homestead
photo by Prabhjot Singh
Money made from KILT's various activities, and in particular from the sale of their stone jewellery, also goes towards the KILT homestead, which currently gives shelter to 8 adults, of whom 6 are disabled, and 12 children.
Because Bel knows that the road to independence starts with education, he and his young wife Chanra have also decided to care for 12 children who come from families who cannot afford to feed their children, let alone send them to school.
Bel and Chanra believe that a good education, as well as a healthy, happy environment, will give these children more opportunities of learning skills, finding jobs, and leading a dignified adult life.
Have a look at the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TQLmmEvJQA&feature=youtu.be
Because Bel knows that the road to independence starts with education, he and his young wife Chanra have also decided to care for 12 children who come from families who cannot afford to feed their children, let alone send them to school.
Bel and Chanra believe that a good education, as well as a healthy, happy environment, will give these children more opportunities of learning skills, finding jobs, and leading a dignified adult life.
Have a look at the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TQLmmEvJQA&feature=youtu.be