Inspiring Stories

Last month our Epic Arts Dance (EAD) team visited Singapore to run various workshops and perform at two international schools, UWCSEA and Singapore American School.

The trip, which stretched almost two weeks, was the first time since the pandemic that EAD has performed internationally. And it was the first time out of Cambodia for our two newest dancers Phuya and Mao.

EAD is Cambodia's only inclusive dance company and through thought-provoking performances and workshops are changing the perception of disability.

Events and Performances

Children with disabilities are argued to be among the most vulnerable members of society and approximately 10% of children in Cambodia have some form of disability.

There is a strong correlation between disability and poverty. Cambodia is making great strides to ensure that education is as inclusive as possible to ensure a reduction in poverty in the long run.

Epic Arts works to promote and encourage inclusive education in Cambodia. 

This year Epic Arts hosted a series of four training courses, lasting 12 days in total, about inclusive education training for teachers on children with intellectual disability and autism.

The training, provided by the Department of Special Education, was delivered to 36 teachers from Kampot province.

All participants agreed that the training was a great success with teachers keen to put their learning into practice ensuring Cambodian children of diverse backgrounds and abilities can get access to an equitable and quality education to reach their full potential.

Inclusive Arts

Many parents of children with disabilities in Cambodia choose not to let their children attend school. Instead keeping these children hidden away at home.

Epic Arts believes in a world where people living with disabilities are integrated, accepted and respected within their communities and have equal access to work and education.

Our Special Education Project, based at our canter in Kampot, offers creative educational programs to children and young people with learning disabilities so they can become active members of society.

The above picture is of our Independent Class. This class of young people with learning disabilities, aged 14–30, learn life skills including gardening, cooking, dance and handicrafts. 

Students also have the opportunity to earn income by selling handicrafts at our small shop in Epic Arts Café.

Impact Update

We were delighted to have one of our donors, Felm, visit us this month. As part of their visit we were proud to show them a mobile class in action at a local primary school and they met the parents of students who attend this class.

Mobile classes, ran by Epic Arts, are based on the grounds of the state school they support and provide children with disabilities supplementary classes on top of their state school education. This helps students stay engaged with learning. Mobile classes are small and students get a lot more one on one time with teachers.

One mother told us how happy she was that her son could attend the mobile class, she said that he never liked to study but now enjoys learning.

Another mother told us that her daughter would have likely dropped out of school, that she was falling behind in her studies, but the mobile class has helped with her writing skills and now she is more confident.

Epic Arts

Epic Arts is a UK registered charity (#1091059) and registered in Cambodia