Keep on Trying – don’t let things push you down
“My name is Sun Sreytouch. I was born in Kampong Speu province, I got disability on my right leg caused by polio disease when I was one and a half years old. I have 6 siblings (3 female) and am the fifth child in the family.”
As a girl with a disability, Sreytouch experienced discrimination from both neighbors and classmates, who often used hurtful and inappropriate words toward her. Whenever she went outside, people would stare at her and make comments like, “How pity she is, being a girl with a disability.” These experiences deeply affected her. As a child, she became self-conscious about her appearance—especially her legs—and always wore long skirts to hide them.
In 2005, she moved to Phnom Penh in search of work experience. She looked for volunteer or internship opportunities and explored short courses and scholarships. In 2008, her determination paid off—she received a scholarship to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Banking at Pannasastra University of Cambodia.
Despite her excitement, the journey was not easy. Many of her classes were held on the third or fourth floor of buildings without accessibility. Navigating between classrooms became a daily challenge, but she remained determined and graduated in 2014.
Her personal experiences have fueled her passion for promoting accessibility for others with disabilities.
Fortunately, Sreytouch had the support of her family—especially her mother and sister—who consistently encouraged her not only to attend school but also to engage in social activities. However, her time in secondary school was challenging. She had to walk to get to class, and some teachers lacked understanding of her situation. As a result, she was sometimes punished for arriving late, despite the difficulties she faced.
While in high school, Sreytouch considered dropping out due to her family’s financial difficulties. However, thanks to her mother’s unwavering encouragement, support, and sacrifices, she was able to continue her studies and graduated from high school in 2001. Although she wanted to pursue further education immediately, she had to help her parents earn an income to support the family.
“People should never be prevented from opportunities or fulfilling their dreams due to lack of access.”
Before attending university, Sreytouch worked full-time for six months at House of Family, where she supported children living with HIV. She then spent a year at Hagar organization as an assistant accountant. Continuing to build experience in fields she was passionate about, she worked as a receptionist at the Massage Centre by Blind People for another year.
In her third year of university, she secured her first full-time position in the disability sector. She joined the Cambodian Disabled People’s Organization (CDPO) as a programme officer, where she worked for four years and gained valuable experience and confidence. Building on this, she successfully applied for a position with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where she served as a disability inclusion field officer for three years. This role provided her with rich learning opportunities at both national and international levels.
More recently, she worked with People’s Action for Inclusive Development (PAfID), based in Phnom Penh, where she led and contributed to various projects focused on supporting and empowering people—especially women—with disabilities in the community.
Published: 2 April 2024