Bun Rany, president of the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) and wife of Prime Minister Hun Sen, encouraged disabled people to use their disability as motivation to strengthen their capacities and professionalism in order to overcome their challenges.

CRC first deputy secretary-general Men Neary Sopheak relayed Rany’s sentiments at a meeting to disperse humanitarian aid to 475 people with disabilities at the vocational training centre for visually impaired people located at the Samneang Music Association for the Disabled in Kork Roka commune of the capital’s Prek Pnov district on April 10.

“[Rany] expressed her appreciation to all people here who have worked hard to improve their lives by doing good deeds or acts that are beneficial for the nation, especially the commitment to holding personal values that encourage them to help themselves, their families and society as a whole,” she said.

Chap To, president of the association, also expressed his gratitude to Rany and Hun Sen, saying that their kindness and acts of generosity towards disabled people have enabled them to live in dignity and equality in a peaceful, prosperous and stable society.

“We are physically disabled but our hearts are not. We all have a heart and have a mind. We all struggle to help ourselves and help others so that we can positively participate in social work, especially in maintaining peace,” he said.

Nhem Morakot, honorary president of the association, said the CRC has helped with resources to ensure the provision of accommodation to make certain that disabled persons are not living on the streets, singing or begging, but are able to retain their personal freedom without needing to pay rent on accommodation, and that the CRC has also provided vocational training to strengthen their capacity.