Cambodia is located in South Asia near Thailand. The Pol Pot regime and the Khmer Rouge were the main players in a war, which is in the country's recent memory. The way was characterised by the systematic killing of about two million people and the attempt to isolate the country and make the population one of slave labourers. This is where the world originally heard the term “Ground Zero”.

The country is still politically unsettled and dominated by conflict. Prime Minister Hun Sen used to belong to the Khmer Rouge political party. His compound, complete with helicopter pads and a personal bodyguard, is now the next door neighbour of the Marist School, "La Valla", a school for students with disabilities.

 

La Valla was set up in 1998 by Brother Terry Heinrich in a villa in the centre of Phnom Penh. This villa had one of the steepest staircases ever seen – not very suitable for wheelchairs and kids on crutches. A new school was built in 2000 on a block of land 14 km from the city. Half of the students are boarding students and the other half are transported to school each day. Marist Brothers Terry and Darryl are the Australian personnel in the project assisted by about 20 Khmer staff including seven teachers.

Volunteers from outside Cambodia have been a feature of the school’s operation. Most notably there are a number of Australian school students that have been involved in immersion experiences.

 

The students in the school are all physically disabled in some way. Many have lost a limb such as an arm, leg or hand, and some are in wheelchairs. Some of this is a result of landmine accidents, but this is decreasing nowadays as the landmine clearance takes effect. Most now have disabilities from polio, cerebral palsy, birth defects and industrial accidents. The teaching staff at the school also have disabilities. They are highly professional and bring a sense of community to the school - they are excellent role models for the students.

The students have to sit external exams, and work very hard to pass them. English is taught in the classroom as it is fast becoming the country’s second language. Students have access to computers, but electricity is only on for about two hours per day. They share their meals together with the teachers, and work together to maintain the dining areas and the grounds. The students overcome their disabilities by looking out for each other - what one student can’t do, another will make up for.

 

La Valla gets its funding from the Australian community – the brothers, students and staff in our schools and the wider community. This is supplemented by grants from International Non-Government Organisations such as Christian Blind Mission and Aiutare I Bambini