Angkor Marathon Challenge for CABDICO

WHO? CABDICO is a small Cambodian NGO focusing on people with disabilities including speech & language as a result of a large number of children with cerebral palsy. An estimated 600,000 children & adults are in need, yet people with disabilities in Cambodia are a forgotten population. The larger charitiable institutions have not prioritised for this important service provision, instead opting for better known causes such as the likes of HIV and malaria.

In Australia, there are over 5,500 speech therapists. Children are given the opportunities to enter school, to have jobs and to participate in their communities through this therapy. In Cambodia, there are none. We're trying to change this. There is no training course at university, no knowledge at government or community level and no system in place to help these people reach their potential.

For more details on this campaign through the eyes of a CABDICO volunteer, please see: http://startsomegood.com/speechcambodia#sthash.AXJabsiB.dpuf

WHY?  I came to know about the campaign and was particularly inspired to support them through my long time and high school friend Weh who has been working with them for over two years now. More here: http://cabdico.org/speech-therapy/

Weh was featured in The Sydney Morning Herald, the largest newspaper in Australia, recently (http://www.smh.com.au/world/small-amounts-speak-volumes-in-cambodian-speech-pathology-aid-program-20140528-zrr6x.html). His approach has not only been to set up a sustainable program, but also to help bring more worldwide attention to this forgotten issue.

Alternatively as an impact investor, a dollar in Cambodia also goes a long way. 

WHAT? CABDICO is seeking funding to sustain their operations and to run workshops to train up local speech therapists.  For further details on funding needs, please refer to http://startsomegood.com/speechcambodia#sthash.AXJabsiB.dpuf

At the time of writing, approximately a further US$6,500 will enable CABDICO to fund one more training workshop to improve the knowledge of CABDICO staff, and show an improvement through the pilot program, plus keep up the activities that we have already been able to implement so far.

Funding beyond this will enable completion of this phase of the Speech Therapy project, helping to evaluate and report back the findings of the program to the goverment and non goverment partners. 

HOW?  I will be running the first Angkor Empire Marathon locally in Cambodia later this week Sunday (17 August) and will be personally visiting some of the CABDICO projects (pictures and updates promised for donors)!!! I also hope to continue to increase international awareness for this charity.

THANKYOU!  I really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations.