Being able to communicate is something most of us take for granted.

It allows us to share our experiences, feelings, ideas and needs. It helps us to build connections with others. It invites others to see beyond outward appearances and abilities – to see who we truly are.

In Cambodia, disability support is under-funded, under-resourced and generally not well understood. Often the lack of understanding can result in a lack of acceptance and isolation for the person with a disability and their family, as well as a lack of access to basic services.

Yet we know that God values every person and has a heart for those who are marginalised or dwell on the outside of society.

In responding to this need and utilising my skills as a Speech Pathologist, we followed God’s leading to establish a new ministry. In 2023, we opened a centre which we named ‘Language of the Heart’ or Pheasa Duongchet in Khmer.

Through this ministry our vision is to help children with disabilities and communication impairments develop ways that they can share who they are with others – to communicate from their heart.

Our vision is to work holistically, not only to support cognitive, social, emotional and physical needs but also spiritual needs.

The project provides opportunity to build relationships with parents – to build a support network and a community where it is safe to share the joys and hardships of life with a child with special needs.

And by providing a platform of understanding, acceptance and care our vision is to also share about God’s love, acceptance and care for all.

Nikki’s Story

Nikki is a seven year old girl. Her mum is a seller at the local market one of our Khmer colleagues, Maria shops at. Since opening Pheasa Duongchet, Nikki and her mum have been very regular attendees. When we first met her, Nikki was unable to speak using words but could make some sounds. She would enthusiastically point to everything, showing others what she was interested in. Nikki loves people and is always wanting to connect with everyone.

When she started coming to the clinic a year ago, she used some gestures to communicate, however these gestures did not have a clear and consistent meaning and were often difficult to interpret. She was trying to communicate but didn’t know how. Her mother was shy and unsure about how she should interact with us.

After six months, Nikki had made good progress! She learnt to use some pictures and Khmer sign language to reliably communicate what she was thinking.

She preferred to use sign language, however her limited finger strength and movement, made this more challenging for her.

She kept persevering and worked hard to improve the ways she could move and shape her fingers so that she can now sign more accurately.

Nikki’s mum grew in confidence as well! She now interacts with Nikki in ways that are helping develop her daughter’s communication skills, she confidently models signs to her and she talks more to her about what they are doing together throughout the day.

Once when Maria was at the local market, she overheard a group of women talking about Nikki. They were saying how they could see the progress she was making. It is fantastic to hear that people in Nikki’s community are noticing the gains she is making.

This is our main project goal – that the children (and their families) are able to participate more in their own communities.

Nikki and her mother have now attended regularly for more than a year. Nikki continues to improve her communication using Khmer sign language and refine her fine motor skills. She has worked hard to make new verbal sounds and is now able to use a few clear spoken words.

It is a blessing to be able to walk alongside the families that are part of the ‘Language of the Heart’ community. Please be praying for our team and local colleagues as we demonstrate and share God’s love with Khmer families.