”I wanted to share my experience as a person with a disability, as a survivor”

From 25 to 29 November, State Parties met in Siem Reap, Cambodia, for the Fifth International Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, also known as the Ottawa Convention. Several survivors were invited to speak at the conference, including two HI beneficiaries, Emilie Vath and Srey Neang.

Emilie Vath was six when she lost her foot in a mine explosion in Cambodia. She was one of the very first people to be fitted with a prosthesis by HI in its early days. She now lives in France.

Srey Neang, 13, had her leg amputated after being injured in an IED explosion when she was just four years old. She lives in the village of Tha Teav in the Cambodian province of Kampong Thom and has four brothers and sisters. Srey Neang has received five prostheses since HI took charge of her follow-up care and, with each new prosthesis, HI has provided her with the necessary rehabilitation.

Testimony dedicated to the rights of people with disabilities

Srey Neang tells HI about her experience:

“I was really very happy to have been invited to take part in this conference, it was the first time I'd attended such an important event. During my speech, I wanted to explain to the audience all the obstacles that I encounter every day because of my disability, such as difficulties getting from one place to another, going up and down stairs, doing sport... It was essential for me to share my experience as a disabled person, as a survivor, after stepping on a mine. But despite losing my leg, I do my best every day to motivate myself to do things, to get involved, because I think that people with disabilities are a resource for the country's development. What I remember most is the march we all went on together, brandishing slogans for “a mine-free world”.
Once again, I'd like to say that I survived this accident and I'm happy about that, because today I can go to school and be integrated into society.
I'd like to thank HI for enabling me to have a prosthesis and for everything the association does for people with disabilities who can now walk unaided”.

Srey Neang is the oldest child of a very poor family from Kampong Thom province. When she was just four years old, the little girl stepped on an explosive device in her uncle's garden. She was seriously injured and had to have her leg amputated. Today, thanks to HI's rehabilitation services, Srey Neang is able ride her bike to school unaided:

"If Humanity & Inclusion hadn't helped me by fitting me with a prosthesis, I would never have been able to get to school, I wouldn't have been able to study".

When she grows up, Srey Neang would like to become a doctor so that she can take care of others and, above all, "be able to help her loved ones if they fall ill", she explains.