J1075NA Sunrise Ability Cambodia

The Situation

Across Cambodia, children with disabilities face significant barriers to mobility, safety, inclusion, and education. Families - particularly those in rural and impoverished villages, have no access to therapy, specialised equipment, or the knowledge needed to support children with physical or intellectual disabilities. Without these supports, many children miss out on schooling, community participation, and basic developmental opportunities, leaving them isolated, at risk and often abandoned.

In 2025, a visiting team of Australian therapists identified an urgent need for sustainable disability support within Sunrise Cambodia and surrounding villages. Sunrise Cambodia provides residential care for children who have experienced trauma, poverty, and neglect, and supports more than 400 disadvantaged children from neighbouring villages each day. Among them are many children with disabilities who require safe equipment, specialised intervention, and consistent support to participate in everyday life.

However, disability-specific services in Cambodia remain extremely limited. Suitable equipment is rare, often unsafe, or quickly becomes unusable without trained staff to fit, adapt, or maintain it. As a result, children with disabilities continue to be excluded from school, community life, and opportunities for independence; unable to reach their full potential without targeted, long-term support

The Objectives

Sunrise Ability Cambodia is a disability support project led by experienced Australian therapists who travel to Cambodia each year to provide hands-on therapy, deliver essential equipment, and work directly with caregivers and community members. Between visits, the team provides ongoing mentoring and support through remote training and consultation, ensuring continuity of care and building local capacity year-round. The project will:

• Provide therapy and disability support

Deliver hands-on Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy