Tags / Emirates

Wanna today. Despite his disability, he is now is a Music teacher in the Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

Wanna teaching a class in the present day. Wanna's journey from a child who yearned for education, to now being a teacher is the success story that spurred the creation of schools for blind and deaf children in Cambodia.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

Wanna today.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

Wanna today with his team.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

Students at the Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

A Student at the Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

Students at the Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

Students at the Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation

Students at the Phnom Penh Thmey school.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation

A Student at the Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

Students at the Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

Students at the Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

Wanna as a child.
Photo by Krousar Thmeu.

Phot Wanna in 1993 being taught to read an braille book. Wanna, was the child who gave Benoît the inspiration to open the first school for blind children in Cambodia.
Photo by Krousar Thmeu.

Wanna 20 years later with Benoît (founder of Krousar Thmeu Foundation, back row, third from the right) and Australia actor Jack Thompson.
Photo by Krousar Thmeu

Photo by Krousar Thmeu. Benoît Duchâteau-Arminjon and Phalla Neang. Benoît is the founder of NGO Krousar Thmey. He started in Thailand’s refugee camps over 20 years ago. In 1993, Phalla Neang and the NGO Krousar Thmey opened the first school for visually impaired pupils in Cambodia and Phalla became the very first Braille teacher in the country’s history. She also contributed to the development of the Khmer version of Braille.
Since 1997, Krousar Thmey, which is supported by LIGHT FOR THE WORLD (a European development federation), also provides education for deaf pupils. Today Phalla Neang serves as a teacher trainer, school director and as the coordinator of the national ‘Education for Blind’ program. The ‘Education for Blind’ program involves five schools for blind and deaf students, 72 integrated and inclusive classes in regular schools, and nationwide advocacy campaigns.

Phnom Penh Thmey School. This is the school where Phalla currently works. The program has now expanded to 69 teachers and 250 children in 4 Krousar Thmey schools. There are an additional 29 integrated classes in public schools across the country.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

The Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation

The opening of the Phnom Penh Thmey School.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation.

In 1993, Phalla Neang opened the first school for blind children in Camboda. She was one of 10 finalists for the "Global Teacher Prize," an honor that awards $1 million to "the best teacher in the world."

In 1993, Phalla Neang opened the first school for blind children in Camboda. She was one of 10 finalists for the "Global Teacher Prize," an honor that awards $1 million to "the best teacher in the world."

Ly Khemara checks braille script as it emerges from the braille printer - the only such machine in Cambodia.
Photo by Krousar Thmey Foundation. Phnom Penh, 16 January 2014