アジア太平洋障害者連携フォーラム|パキスタンフォーラムでの学びと実践

Mr. Samith May [Cambodia, Physical Disability]
Founder and Executive Director, Phnom Penh Center for Independent Living (PPCIL)
Duskin Leadership Training in Japan 8th trainee
Samith/　It is my great pleasure and honor to have this opportunity to share my learning experience in social business while in Cambodia.

I'm Samith, I have Polio. For 18 years I have had various experiences in the field of disabilities. I had the opportunity to train in "independent living skills" while in Japan from 2006 to 2007. The training was supported by the Duskin Leadership Training Program. I am the 8th trainee in this program. After coming back to Cambodia, I founded the Phnom Penh Center for Independent Living – PPCIL in 2009, and now I act as executive director of this center.

The PPCIL aims to develop activities for independent living and movement skills and the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs). We are working for the improvement of physical accessibility, the assistance of personal caregivers and the promotion of employment of PWDs.

Now, let me share with you what I learned from the Pakistan Forum. I visited Pakistan for the first time, and I had a wonderful experience. What I learned from Pakistan is the importance of networking and collaboration, also collaborating with stakeholders. Especially, I learned how to construct income generation and social business models. The most important thing was that I made new friends in Pakistan and visited beautiful places.

After I attended the forum in Pakistan, I wished to conduct a similar workshop but found it was not possible since 2019. Fortunately, in November 2021, we could hold the workshop which focused on the inclusive business of PWDs. We also invited persons with disabilities and other associations, who were working in the field of business in Cambodia, expecting an active discussion there.

I would like to share with you the results of the Panel Discussion where we invited various businesspeople. We confirmed that the COVID 19 virus would have an impact on all businesses, so the businesses run by persons with disabilities were also faced with stiff competition in the marketplace. On the other hand, building confidence and trust with customers is very important. The key elements in carrying out the business are motivation and leadership. Something that we found, however, is the perception that PWDs have a low productivity rate. Therefore, in order to enhance specialized support, we have arranged various vocational training and job opportunities. There are, however, limitations on the accessibility of this support. They said that physical structures and environments that are manageable for PWDs at the workplace and school are also limited. Government should take more responsibility to identify the needs of PWDs and support them, particularly for those who wish to set up a business. The government will be required to provide support and loans for PWDs so that they can launch their own business. Through this workshop, we discussed various issues and after that, we collaborated with the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training to increase opportunities for employment for PWDs.

The forum showed a way forward and set up the PPCIL to communicate and share information. We are considering the development of an online sales platform. We will communicate with the National Employment Agency which belongs to the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training.

Next, I would like to share with you some information about the project that PPCIL is running now for promoting the employment of PWDs. This project aims to promote the social participation of PWDs. We would like to extend the processing and distribution of agricultural products in Phnom Penh and the surrounding area. The people in Cambodia have an image that PWDs are not able to work, but we want to show that PWDs can in fact work. Of course, modifications, such as the improvement of accessibility will be required.

These are our current products (Slide18). We used to bake cookies, but stopped for a while and currently, we produce a variety of dried fruits like dried mango, dried pineapple, etc. We also produce cashew nuts and roasted cashew nuts. We transport cashews from rural areas in Cambodia. Another product is salted pepper. This is a new product, that we are currently testing and are planning to sell to restaurants in Japan. We are now testing the sale of the product in Okinawa and Saizeria restaurant chain. This product, salted pepper, can be used for cooking. Currently, we sell it in Cambodia. We have also gotten orders from Japan.

Next, I would like to share with you the improvements made to our project. Currently, the packaging and labeling of our products have certain limitations. We would like to improve our marketing strategy, planning and establishing employment guidelines for PWDs in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, which we hope to complete during this year.

Due to the effects of COVID 19, we have not been able to sell a lot of products. Next, we would like to move from the current location because the rent is high. We have plans to build a new room for our factory in front of the PPCIL office and arrange the equipment. In order to expand our business, we would also prepare packages with a standard design to sell products domestically as well as abroad. As we consider the employment of PWDs, we would like to continue this project and cooperate with others in creating more employment opportunities for PWDs. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to speak.