Feature Article

HELEN PITT'S GOVERNMENT AWARD

A Medal SAHAKMETREI Grade TIBDEN is the highest award given by the Royal Government of Cambodia. There are 7 kinds of awards in Group D; each kind has at least 3 grades. The Medal SAHAKMETREI is given to Embassy, representative of friendly country or foreigner who has committed and work for the good benefit to strengthen tie between both countries (see more on the Royal Decree dated October 05, 1995).

A ceremony of handing over a Medal SAHAKMETREI Grade TIBDEN was organised on May 27, 2003 at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Vocational Training and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSALVY). Who is entitle and capable to get the highest award? Why?

Mrs. Helen Pitt, Former Executive Director and Ex-Advisor to MoSALVY received the distinguished pride including Medal, Certificate and Sub Decree from H.E Mr. Ith Sam Heng, Minister of MoSALVY.

Mrs. Helen Pitt was one of the founders of the Disability Action Council (DAC). She devoted time and commitment to support the establishment of a Task Force involving government, NGOs, and IOs to identify current situation, gaps, and recommendations in disability and rehabilitation sector. She spent almost 10 year in helping to build capacity of local staff as well as generate resources to ensure the wellbeing of people with disability in Cambodia.

Mrs. Helen Pitt has succeed in raising fund of more than 2 millions US$ for better co-ordination and avoid overlapping of service within disability and rehabilitation. It is funding support from Leahy War Victim Funds/USAID for launching operation of DAC Secretariat from 1998 to 2005. She spent 3 years of her valuable time (1998-2000) in consolidating DAC. The position of Executive Director was handled over to local staff in 2000 with her involvement as advisor and part time advisor until 2001.

DAC Secretariat is proud with acknowledgement of the Royal Government of Cambodia by awarding its highest pride (Medal SHAKMETREI Grade "TIBDEN") to Mrs. Helen Pitt for her outstanding efforts and commitment to initiate, secure the rights and services for people with disabilities in Cambodia.

Even though she finished her assignment with DAC, she has work hard in raising fund for Kouma Pikar Foundation with full support from Friends of INTERPART in Australia. It is a critical need in supporting alternative care for orphaned/abandoned children with disabilities in Cambodia, especially education for children with intellectual disability.

DAC Secretariat staff and DAC affiliated members would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to Mrs. Helen Pitt for her valuable and outstanding contribution and on going support to secure the rights and interest of Cambodian people with disabilities.

The above achievement would not be successfully obtained if there has not been strong support and co-operation from our valuable and useful donors such as LWVF/USAID, UNCEF, UNESCO, Nippon Foundation, CBM International, and DAC affiliated members (government ministries, NGOs, and IOs).

CAMBODIAN HANDI-SPORT DAY AND INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE DISABLED PERSONS

Old Stadium, Phnom Penh: 03 to 04 December 2001

The Disability Action Council (DAC) and its affiliated members are going to organize the 7th Cambodian Handi-Sport Day and the 19th International Day for the Disabled Persons from 03 to 04 December 2001 at the Old Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

This event will:

Promote positive images of people with disabilities by concentrating on individuals abilities and not their handicaps.
Promote public awareness on disability issues that affect people with disabilities, especially women and children with disabilities.
Promote full participation and equal opportunities for people with disabilities in all socio-economic activities.
Promote participation of women and children with disabilities in sporting and awareness raising activities.

Furtheremore, some activities will be organised as the following:

Supporting messages from the King (Head of State) and from Samdech Hun Sen (Prime Minister) will encourage individual and organisations to support and take part in the event. A statement describing background of the event will be released by H.E Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour, Vocational Training, and Youth Rehabilitation (MOSALVY), for public awareness and participation.
A meeting will be organised to provide information relating to disability and rehabilitation, to invite people with disabilities to describe their life, to promote people with disabilities to have priority for receiving services, and so on.
An exhibition will be organised with participation of organisations involved in disability and rehabilitation to display their activities including products made by people with disabilities.
A press conference will be organised on the 3rd December 2000 at 09:30 at the Old Stadium (Stad Chas) for questions and answers regarding abilities and activities of people with disabilities in community and in society. Press and media persons will be invited.
There will be 5 types of sporting activities including Volley Ball, Running (for amputee above knee), Running for blind, Wheelchair (3 wheels with chains), and Boule. The deadline for registration is November 27, 2001 at 17:00.
In addition, banners/slogans regarding the rights and promotion of full participation of people with disabilities in society will be put on the main streets in Phnom Penh. Short video spots on the contributions of people with disabilities in socio-economic activities will be broadcast on TV. A concert with performance of artists/singers with disabilities and popular artists/singers will be organised on the 3rd and 4th December 2001, from 15:00 to 19:00, at the Old Stadium.

To view the program of this event, please click here (PDF, 28kb)