1. Introduction

One of the underserved populations that ESCUP is providing educational services for is disabled children/children with health problems. In the past these children have either been unable to attend school, or have found school very difficult and have subsequently dropped out. Since its inception ESCUP has been supporting families of children with disabilities by connecting them with appropriate medical treatments/surgeries in Phnom Penh (i.e., Operation Smile, Cambodia Trust, Handicap International-France, etc.) and assisting them to attend primary schools. The project has worked successfully with 1,007 disabled children over the 3 years, including children who do not attend school. The main issues are deformed limbs, deafness, blindness, and cleft lips/palettes.

2. Primary Objectives

• To provide medical support to disabled children/children with health problems.
• To enable disabled children/children with health problems to attend school on a regular basis.
• To assist schools in becoming more inclusive in terms of children with special needs.

3. Target group

• Disabled children and children with health problems and their families.
• Staff and students at schools where there are children with disabilities.

4. Information on Implementation

Through a process of school mapping and meeting with communities and schools in the project target areas identify children who are at risk. This includes children who have serious health issues as well as disabilities. Once children are identified and confirmed by ESCUP as being eligible for support, and after discussions with the families, they are referred and transported to a service provider, e.g. Operation Smile, Handicap International for treatment. This activity has established the local school as a major service provider in the local community, and because health care costs have been found to be one of the leading expenditure items among the rural poor, this role projected by schools is extremely well received.

5. Resources Needed

Resources and funding for this activity are provided through ESCUP's central budget (as opposed to the school/cluster grant).

• Surveyors
• Travel money to bring children to services