My time in Cambodia included a visit to the NGO Maryknoll-Wat Than, which occupies buildings on the grounds of a Buddhist temple in the middle of Phnom Pehn. Than is an example of a program dedicated to teaching disabled individuals the skills they need to reintegrate into society. Landmine and polio victims are invited from surrounding provinces to join a six-month training program in tailoring, carpentry, weaving, or computers. Cambodian staff teach the students, and Maryknoll provides housing and a stipend to pay for food. Kim Lamothe, Management Team Advisor, explained that the products made by the trainees are sold at a store on the temple grounds or shipped to various shops for sale.
Companies can also order the beautiful furniture and fabric in bulk.
Although increased political stability in Cambodia has allowed NGO's to reach victims in more remote areas in Cambodia, Lamothe laments the lack of government aid to landmine survivors. The government has neglected victim assistance and is just slowly moving in that direction. Nolamony Hou, a Cambodian working for Jesuit Service Cambodia, shares Lamothe's frustrations. There is a very large gap between the poor, such as the handicapped, and the rich, who tend to be in the military or business. Jesuit Service Cambodia is working to provide support for disabled in mine-affected areas through village programs and a training site.