Meet a DSI Changemaker: Chinda

Mr. Chinda SDENG is one of DSI’s Cambodian Master Trainers and currently serves as Vice Director at Hands of Hope Community, one of DSI’s partner organizations. Driven by a deeply personal connection to the field, Chinda is a dedicated leader who continually embodies the desire to be a lifelong learner in order to improve others' lives.

We asked Chinda a few questions to learn more about his journey and dedication to this mission work:

Why do you do this important disability work?

I wish to see all children and youth with disabilities access an educational lifetime of quality, inclusion, and equality.

When my son Enrico was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), I did not know much about it. I was lost, I was scared about this ignorance and anxious about the future. But then I realized that I did not need someone to tell me how to love my son, and then I entered his wonderful world and he taught me how to see life as he does. I became a special education teacher at Hands of Hope Community in 2014.

Photo/video credit: UNICEF Cambodia

It is a duty to build a better future for my son and every single person affected by disability.

What is improving or changing for the better already?

Because DSI has trained key persons to be Master Trainers, each Master Trainer is competent to share and coach other teachers. The teachers learn to enhance their knowledge and professional skills, so they are happy to teach their students. Then the students get a better education.

What is one continuing need now for teachers and children with disabilities in your community?

We need to continue to build teachers’ capacity through a Master Trainer and coaching project. DSI has a dynamic process of addressing and responding positively to the diverse needs of individuals and groups through promoting their participation in learning, cultures and communities while reducing or eliminating barriers to education. It involves changes and modifications to content, approaches, structures, and strategies that include all persons in the education system. It is a process that helps expand the education system’s responsibility in delivering education services to all learners.

What do you hope for the future of all children with disabilities in Cambodia? 

I want the right to quality education for all children with disabilities, without discrimination and on an equal basis with others, to be realized. 

This means in practice that all children have the right to go to the school in their neighborhood and that where necessary, support is provided in regular schools to ensure all children can participate and learn.

Is there anything else you want people to know about teacher training and inclusive education in Cambodia?

I want to work on outlining strategies focused on providing quality education services, equitable access, and inclusive education at all levels from early childhood to technical and vocational education.

We must raise the quality of teachers through improved policy, teacher standards, professional development, education, and training. 

These are among the key action points articulated to achieve the goals for basic education.

3 ways to show your support:

1. Acknowledge by liking this post and/or adding a comment below

2. Share this post with a friend to help raise awareness

3. Give to help us continue to be there for Chinda and other Changemakers like him

*Also be sure to check out this related blog post and the short video made by UNICEF Cambodia about Chinda and Enrico.