Why I started OIC Cambodia

In 2013, I met a child named Ling. He was 10 years old at the time, and had cerebral palsy - brain damage around the time of birth. A bright boy with an infectious smile, he also slurred his words when he spoke. Most of the people in his community assumed he was stupid. He is the kind of child who, without the support needed, would never to go to school and receive an education.

Ling could be a contributing member of society if he had been born in a country with speech therapists. And yet, there were children all over Cambodia who were like Ling, not getting the therapy they needed.

The entire country of Cambodia does not have one single Cambodian speech therapist. This means that there is no university course, no government policy, and virtually no awareness. Worryingly, nothing was being done about this issue.

People with communication disorders can't participate at school or in the community, let alone with their families and friends. Those with swallowing disorders face an equally uncertain future. Instead of going into the stomach, food and liquid can go into the lungs, and they were 13 times more likely to die young due to pneumonia.

In most countries, swallowing disorders are a bigger killer than cancer.

With one in 25 people needing speech therapy, I had no option but to act. I founded OIC Cambodia so that each of these people could get the help they need to communicate with those around them, and lead full and happy lives.

Why this affects us all

One of the ongoing challenges we face is a lack of awareness about this need. The big organisations with the most resources - they don't really know why this is such an urgent issue.

This means that our work is only possible through the generosity of individuals. People who understand how important communication is in every single activity you do in the day.

How you can help

I'm doing a Day Without Speech on the 19th of October for 24 hours to raise awareness about the children in Cambodia with communication and swallowing disabilities.

Instead of speaking, I'll communicate through other methods, such as hand gestures, facial expressions, writing or the use of technology.

As a bonus, I'll be off social media, Whatsapp, text messages for the whole time (I may die as a result)!

Funds raised by my Day Without Speech challenge will go towards including children with communication disabilities better in the classroom and create a university program to train Cambodians to be speech therapists.

With your support, children and families will receive the right support to communicate with each other and others.

Won't you join me? 

Please note all donations are in Australian Dollars and are tax deductible in Australia.