Sokchea, aged sixteen: a strong desire to move forward

A girl determined to learn to walk

Sokchea is an only child; she lives alone with her mother in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. Her father died when she was just a few months old, and her mother looks after her. To feed her daughter and provide for her needs, Thin Phal works in the fields.

The family’s difficulties began very early on: three days after her birth, Sokchea fell ill with polio. Thin Phal took her straight to hospital in Phnom Penh. “I was very worried about her,” she recalls. “I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to walk later on. She stayed in hospital for a week and received medical treatment but didn’t receive any physiotherapy.”

As she grew up, Sokchea was unable to learn to walk and, lacking strength, remaining motionless wherever she was placed. Her mother had to take her along when she went to work.

When Sokchea turned two, Thin Phal decided to take her to the rehabilitation centre in Kampong Cham, where the little girl was cared for by HI’s teams. Over the following years, Sokchea underwent physiotherapy sessions and significantly improved her strength and balance. Thanks to her mother’s unwavering support and with the help of the walking frame provided by HI for her daily exercises, she first learnt to move her hands and crawl on her knees, before finally managing to walk and write.

“Before my daughter went to the rehabilitation centre, she couldn’t sit up or speak. But she gradually learnt to walk and now she feels better,” says Thin Phal happily.

Sokchea’s great progress at school

At the age of 11, Sokchea started attending Sro Nge primary school in the village of Tropang Rung. Since 2023, HI has been supporting her integration into school life and she is now in Year 5. Sokchea works very hard at school, spurred on by the advice and encouragement of her mother and her teachers, who have been trained in inclusive education by HI.

“I’m really happy that she’s able to study; she’s made great progress at school. She always puts her hand up to contribute and answers when the teacher asks her a question. As I didn’t have the chance to go to school myself, I sometimes ask her questions to find out more,” says Thin Phal proudly.

To ensure Sokchea can study in the best possible conditions, HI has provided her with books, a schoolbag and stationery. Furthermore, the organisation has helped the school to improve the physical accessibility of the buildings to make it easier for the young girl to access classrooms and toilets.

Sokchea has always shown perseverance and courage in her life. Bolstered by the support of those around her, she is determined to overcome every challenge:

“I am very grateful to those who have helped me, especially my mother, who has always supported me since I was little. I want to continue my studies, have a job and be able to help her in return,” she concludes with a smile.