Cambodian Women on the Move
Esta inscrição foi selecionada como finalista no desafio
Gamechangers: Change the Game for Women in Sport.
Using wheelchair sports to restore the rights, dignity and self esteem of Cambodian women with a disability = “Cambodian Women on the Move”
Sobre Você
Informação de Contato
Title
Mr.
First name
Christopher
Last name
Minko
Your job title
This field has not been completed
Name of your organization
The Cambodian National Volleyball League (Disabled)
Organization type
NGO
Annual budget/currency
This field has not been completed
Localização
Project Street Address
House 27 – Street 294
Project City
Phnom Penh
Project Province/State
Project Postal/Zip Code
Project Country
Camboja
Sua ideia
Choose your sport: (check all that apply)
Outros
If you chose "other" for Sport, please define in 1-2 words below
Wheelchair sports
What approach does your initiative incorporate?
Capacity Building
Year the initiative began (yyyy)
2007
Paste your video code here:
http://www.changemakers.net/node/2389
http://www.goodmagazine.com/section/Look/cambodian_sports
http://www.sportanddev.org/learnmore/sport_and_disability2/international...
If your project has a website, paste the web address here:
Plot your innovation within the discovery framework:
Barrier
Social stigmas and prohibitions
Insight
Visibility multiplies participation
This field has not been completed.
Dê um nome ao seu projeto
Cambodian Women on the Move
Describe Your Idea
Using wheelchair sports to restore the rights, dignity and self esteem of Cambodian women with a disability = “Cambodian Women on the Move”
INOVAÇÃO
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence?
Using wheelchair sports to restore the rights, dignity and self esteem of Cambodian women with a disability = “Cambodian Women on the Move”
How many people does your innovation serve or plan to serve? Exactly who will benefit?
The many thousands of Cambodian Women with a Disability of Cambodia, including landmine survivors who need support and encouragement to become involved in sport including entering into leadership positions through sports coaching tenures - A simple equation: The more resources that come in – the more CNVLD sports programs for women that can be developed
Do you have any existing partnerships? If so, please list and describe.
The CNVLD Program works in cooperation with the Physical, Medical and Landmine Rehabilitation sector organizations of Cambodia including the location of CNVLD Sports teams at disability rehabilitation Centers throughout Cambodia. The CNVLD is endorsed by, and works in cooperation with, the Royal Government of Cambodia through an MoU with the Cambodia and the Ministry of Social Action, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation.
The CNVLD currently operates in Phnom Penh and 11 provinces with an ongoing focus on expansion within provincial Cambodia. The CNVLD places great value and importance in linking each CNVLD wheelchair clubs with a transparent local organisation in order to assist with the integration of the sports program into the local community.
CNVLD programs work in cooperation with the following organizations and corporate sector entities: International Red Cross – Cambodia (ICRC), The Disability Action Council of Cambodia, PDA, ANZ Royal Bank and BHP Billiton
In which sector do these partners work? (Check all that apply)
How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing?
Using the development (expansion) of CNVLD Women wheelchair Racing clubs throughout Cambodia in order to:
(a) Consolidate the recognition of Cambodian women with a disability as national sporting heroes and role models for the Cambodian women’s disability community
(b) Raise awareness of Cambodian women’s rights within the Cambodian disability sector and the broader international community including HIV Awareness programs
(c) Assist in the encouragement of Cambodian women with a disability to participate in sports programs through the promotion of all-womens CNVLD wheelchair racing clubs including competitions in key public places
(d) Facilitate confidence building for the participation, in the broader society of Cambodian Women with a disability in the broader society.
(e) Assist Cambodian women with a disability to gain meaningful employment through a restored self esteem and support from the CNVLD networks
Impacto
Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact
Consolidate recognition of the ability of Cambodian women with a disability through programs of sport
What does impact/success look like? Please list any tangible measures of the impact of your innovation
The project will influence and change the behaviour of individuals and their attitude towards women with a disability, who will subsequently affect the broader community.
CNVLD female wheelchair athletes are recognised as role models for the Cambodian disability community, (and broader community), including national media recognition of CNVLD female athletes who are showcasing this ability to the broader public. This public recognition of the ability of women with a disability is acting as a catalyst for the implementation of women’s rights within the Cambodia disability movement. An excellent example of the broader social impact of the wheelchair program is the recent opening of bank accounts (for CNVLD training subsidy deposits) by the members of the Battambang Women’s wheelie team at the ANZ Royal bank leading to the bank addressing the accessibility issue within all ANZ Royal banks throughout Cambodia. Other banks and institutions are now following this example
Is there a chance that your project could change policy (within an institution or government)?
This field has not been completed. (1000 characters or less)
Aside from financial sustainability, how do you plan to grow the initiative or expand your intended impact?
To continue the expansion of the CNVLD Women Wheelie program throughout the 23 provinces of Cambodia leading to the objective to establish Cambodia as the ASEAN Centre for disability sport development
The women who will access the CNVLD programs will also be expected to mentor and motivate other Cambodian women with disability. The expected long term outcome is to have a pool of women with the confidence and capacity to advocate for themselves, Cambodian Women and for the CNVLD.
Temas relacionados à inscrição
SUSTENTABILIDADE
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)?
The CNVLD Women Wheelchair project is part funded by ANZ Royal Bank (subsidiary of ANZ Bank Australia) with additional funds to be sourced through the corporate sector and other avenues in order to increase the number of women wheelchair clubs in provincial Cambodia. There is a very high demand from Cambodian Women with a disability to participate in the CNVLD Wheelie program and the number pf participants in the annual program is subject to amount of funds raised. The CNVLD continues to develop the Wheelie program as a professional and public spectator friendly project which is attractive to corporate sector sponsors
Financing source
Annual budget
$180,000 – projected budget (maximum) for 2009
Annual revenue generated
$124,308 in 2008 (Total budget/expenditure)
Number of staff (full-time, part-time, volunteers)
4 fulltime Administration staff including 2 expatriates on volunteer level salaries
14 Volleyball Coaches + 150 + athletes
100 = volunteers
What are the main barriers to financing your initiative, and how do you plan to address these barriers?
Acknowledging the lack of funds to cope with the high demand from the disability community for sporting programs, the CNVLD seeks:
o To consolidate, diversify and increase funds through resource mobilisation and income generating activities
o To develop and implement a comprehensive Financial Management System, in collaboration with private sector-partners who see CNVLD as a worthy partner in the corporate citizenship activities
o To identify and engage in income generation activities
What are the major challenges with regards to partnerships?
The organisation is accepted and respected in Cambodia for the focused and ethical work carried out in changing individuals and communities through programs of team sports.
Identified Challenge: Coping with the demand: there is a high demand from Cambodians with a disability to join CNVLD sports programs – the potential is enormous, the demand is there – the project is simply limited by a lack of resources. Otherwise - little to no obstacles- as a result of trial programs held over the years.
A História
What stage is your project?
Ongoing project .
What was the motivation or defining moment that led to create this innovation? Tell us the story.
In recognition that Cambodian Women with a Disability have been neglected to date and to offer these remarkable women an opportunity to participate in a team sports Program and though meeting Ms Yem Moeun:
Yem Moeurn, 40, is one of the toughest and most inspirational athletes competing in the ANZR-CNVLD Wheelie Grand Prix and is considered by her fellow female competitors as their protective aunt. Quiet and determined, Yem Moeurn’s life story is one of continually overcoming the odds with a level of exceptional dignity which puts most others to shame.
“I am from Beong Veng Village, Krang Leav Commune, Bolea Pa Ear District, Kompong Chhanng Province. I have been a disabled person with polio in both legs since 1972”.
Moeurn’s early polio means she has been completely unable to use both legs for most of her life but this has not stopped her from maintaining a busy schedule including agricultural work where she often sits waist deep in the flooded rice paddies to plant and harvest seedlings
“I go to the training at 6.00am (from my house to the training place is 17km) by motor dob. I arrive there at nearly 7.00am. We train for two hours each day between 7.00am to 9.00am
“I joined the CNVLD wheelchair racing programme because I love sport and I also want to get healthy and I especially want to get into the society. Sport has changed my life because I get healthier, have a lot of friends and I can come into the society and I get money from the training to help my life situation.
Please tell us about the social innovator behind this initiative
Christopher Minko
Secretary General + Founder of the CNVLD
“Throughout my career, in all fields I have worked in, I have placed an emphasis on the involvement of the disadvantaged”.
Arrived in Cambodia in 1996 with a mandate to generate awareness of the insidious root cause of disability in Cambodia: Landmines. Established the CNVLD which uses the unique power of sport to foster civil society development + social cohesion in Cambodia
UNESCO International Fairplay Award 2003 /Nike Changemakers
(Optional) To be eligible for an additional prize, please select age range
27 or older
- Login to post new content in this forum.
Comentários
Dear Christophe
This is an inspiring program you have and dealing with a group that is in extreme need of such support. Congratulations on your efforts to bring to light role models that are usually kept behind the scenes. What percentage out of the total population, the target group compose?
best wishes for you and your courageous team
Abdelfattah Abusrour, Palestine
Dear Aabusrour
Many thanks for the kind comments - greatly appreciated
To your important points:
Unfortunately we have only touched the tip of the iceberg (or palm tree as we say here!) in terms of numbers. Due to the horrendous consequences of over 30 years of civil conflict, the landmine (over 40,000 survivors!) and polio we have a long way to go yet.
Reality is that we could start Women Wheelie clubs overnight in all 23 provinces in Cambodia however we are simply limited by resources (funding) and at this point we are only working with 20+ females noting that each time we receive some funding – we manufacture another racing wheelchair and introduce another Cambodian woman with a disability to the joy of sport.
In addition, Over the years we have faced significant barriers within the INGO / Aid and development world, where we still see to this very day, a failure, to recognise the unique and very powerful ability of sport to foster positive social change – However this attitude, thankfully, is changing and our thanks to the Nike Changemakers initiatives which are assisting to change this mindset as more and more people become aware of the unique power of sport
I do hope that the day comes when we can send a Cambodian team over to Palestine to compete and network with your athletes!
I look forward to staying in contact
with warmest regards from Phnom Penh
Chris
Hi,
This is a powerfull project that i am sure is working wonders. It is exciting to hear about the work you are doing- your website is very helpfull.
Kind regards,
Lombe Mwambwa
Hi Lombe - Many thanks for the kind words - we try our best here in Cambodia and keep an eye on our website for updates as Cambodian Women with a DisABILITY are on the Move and fast becoming the sporting heroes of the nation
Look forward to staying in contact
best from Phnom Penh
Chris
Dear Mr. Minko,
Wow - this is a really amazing endeavor and exciting to see an organization who is using sport to address a disabled population.
There's an organization called the Wheelchair Foundation, http://www.wheelchairfoundation.org/, which donates wheelchairs abroad. I've heard they've had some difficulties exporting these to other countries, because they get stuck in customs. Because you have government support, they might be an interesting partner for you to explore?
I'm also interested in knowing more about how many people are in need of a wheelchair and if you expect that number to increase over time because of the increased visibility of your organization? Do you expect that number to level off at some point because of heightened awareness by the government to address disabled population issues?
Thanks!
Stephani
Nike
Hi Stephanie (and please call me Chris!)
Really appreciate your comments (thanks – It gives us motivation!) and your ideas.
Regarding Wheelchairs – I’ll most definitely follow through with your suggestion as our positive relationship with the government does help when it comes to the customs issues (and I know how hard the customs issues can be!)
Here is how we approach the wheelchair issue at this end
The CNVLD Wheelie project is relatively new (started in ‘07) – Firstly we designed a wheelchair for local manufacture in order to ensure equality amongst the athletes from a sporting perspective (all athletes in the same chairs). These racing wheelchairs are manufactured here in Phnom Penh (and let me say that we are very proud of our local chairs – heavy that they may be!) by students of the Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre for disadvantaged youth. In addition there are excellent day chairs here manufactured by local organisations such as the Jesuit Relief Service and other agencies.
We have also received 3 international standard racing chairs kindly donated by the Canadian National Volleyball Team on their visit here last year and only one week ago did we decide that its time for CNVLD wheelie athletes to hit the international racing circuit starting with a 10 K race at the upcoming Melbourne (Australia) Marathon in October 09.
In terms of numbers, you may have seen in another mail, that we have a long long way to go and are only limited by resources funding) as we could quite literally open up hundreds of wheelchair clubs given the opportunity – Its important to understand that Cambodia (unfortunately) has the highest % of disabled persons per head of population in the world, so an enormous task still lies ahead of us – However we are a very determined team and step by step (or roll by roll), each year, we introduce more Cambodian women with a disABILITY to the joy and power of sport as a means to restore an individuals self esteem and to give that individual hope
Look forward to furthered discussions and from all of us here in Cambodia – Fantastic work by the Nike Changemakers Crew – so “Go Cambodia, Go Changemakers and Go Nike!”
best from Phnom Penh
Chris
Hi Christopher,
Volleyball! My passion. Unfortunatelly I was not tall enought to keep going with real promises. hahahaha
What an incredible initiative and, I have to say, among the few in this competition that are totally focused on WOMEN.
Women Win would love to know more about the progress of this initiative.
Women Win is the first ever international women’s fund that supports sport and physical activities as instruments for social change and women’s empowerment.
Women Win will use the competition to find a fellow between the ages of 15 and 65 years old that positively change the lives of women and girls in their community through sports.
Please go to http://sportforchange.changemakers.com/en-us/group/womenwin and click join this group. We would love to hear your opinion on the topics being discussed.
All the best luck!
Many thanks Renata and very much appreciate the comments - We are exceptionally proud of our Women Wheelie teams ( who are now recognised sporting heroes) with the next step of our development (now underway) being to train 2 of the Wheelies as full time mangers of the program so that the Program is "managed by Cambodian Women with a Disability for Cambodian Women with a Disability. We are fully aware of your excellent work with Women Win and we send regular updates through to Cindy Coleman and WW colleagues - We did apply last year for a Women Win grant but were unfortunaltely unsuccessful ( dont know why !) however lets hope for the future as the more funding we can raise = the more Cambodian Women with a Disability who will be able to join the program and experience the unique positive power of sport and further the development of Cambodian Womens Rights (much needed !)
Look forward to staying in contact
best
Chris
Hello Christopher, Could you please tell us more about the meaningful employment that you help gain for the disabled women with which you work? How successful are these women at getting employed? What kind of employment are they able to find?
You mention that you are hoping to acquire national media recognition. Do you already have some kind of partnership with the local and/or national media?
I would love to hear more about the income generation activities that you mention. Please tell us more.
Keep up the great work! Best, Dana Frasz
Ashoka's Changemakers
Hi Dana
Pleased to hear from you – Good question !! – It’s a case by case basis that we work on plus always subject to what support we can raise however here is how we work in terms of Employment creation.
Usually, we find that our CNVLD women athletes, through participating in the Wheelie program, find a new sense of self esteem and positive pride and gain the inner strength needed to face the broader challenge of finding employment in mainstream Cambodian society
Some of our wheelies have used their annual training and competition subsidies to open up small businesses such as a market stall, dress making shop, hairdresser or selling food - these micro economic initiatives taken by the CNVLD Women athletes are proving to be very successful and is a direct result of the athletes subsidy support and prize monies.
In 2009, in cooperation with CIST, an NGO focused on IT training, the CNVLD will evaluate the literacy level of all CNVLD women athletes in order to determine who may be suitable to undergo IT training as we are very fortunate to have the support of ANZ Royal Bank who are willing to assist in the training of suitable CNVLD Women wheelie athletes to work in ANZ Royal Bank call centres – This is a very positive development of cooperation with the objective being to have the first wheelies employed by an international mainstream bank in Cambodia and they will receive a very good salary at the bank if they successfully complete the training required !
In addition, in 2009, the CNVLD will select 2 suitable women wheelie candidates for focused training as Senior CNVLD Wheelchair racing Coaches (full time employment with the CNVLD) with their task being to mentor new women athletes into the program and to train the future women wheelie coaches
As said, we work very much on an individual case by case basis, as we do face the issues related to a high level of illiteracy and significant poverty within a rural environment however the CNVLD is providing initial employment options and nurturing other potential programs that will lead to the long term mainstream employment of Cambodian women with a disability.
Look forward to staying in contact!
Best from the Penh!
Chris
Postar novo comentário