The CNVLD is pleased to commence a new series:  “CNVLD Cambodian Women of Courage” which will profile all the members of the recently established CNVLD Cambodian Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Program.

CNVLD Secretary-General Christopher Minko often describes how difficult it has been over the years, and still to this very day, to secure support for disability sports. From the CNVLD’s perspective, “It’s much more than Sport”. From the obvious benefits of physical rehabilitation to team sport building and reconciliation, as was the case in the early years of the CNVLD where teams of ex-Khmer rouge soldiers competed against teams made up from demobilized royalist and government soldiers and goodwill was fostered between old foes.  To restoring an individual’s self esteem through a better health and participation in a disciplined teams sports program and most of all giving Cambodians with a Disability that all important element of hope in life. Donors still fail to recognize the unique power of sport to foster civil society and to improve the physical and mental well-being of the individual.

Minko describes how a few years ago, one major donor nation to Cambodia that shall remain unnamed (however Minko hails from there) , called him into a meeting and informed him that “to their regret they would be unable to provide support to the CNVLD as the focus of their funding for the next 5 years would be health” – and this came from a nation that has preventative health measures as a pillar of its national health policy and the key vehicle for the implementation of this policy is none other than: Sport. Minko politely said “Thank you," and left the Embassy accordingly.

The story of the recently appointed CNVLD Senior Coach for the CNVLD Wheelchair Basketball Program, Ms Sieng Sorchan, clearly shows how powerful sport can be to effect positive change in the life of an individual and Sieng Sorchan has really come up against all the odds and despite that she stands tall and we are proud to tell her story as the first installment of CNVLD Women of Courage series

As Minko says, “when you work with someone like Sorchan you learn very quickly not to feel sorry for yourself and you realize the remarkable courage that is within an individual when you understand the horror of what Sorchan has been through and how she has successfully overcome these difficulties – HOW ? – Through the power of sport ! (Donors take note !)"

CNVLD Women of Courage - Part 1: Ms Sieng Sorchan

29 year old Sieng Sorchan became disabled at the age of 14, in 1997, when caught in factional fighting between government forces  and the  remnants of the Khmer Rouge forces.  While trying to get food  at the Central market in Battambang province where she lives with her father, who was disabled through a landmine during the Cambodian conflicts, Sorchan was caught in the crossfire and a bullet entered her spine leaving her unable to walk. Sorchan comes from a poor farmer’s family who are without land and at the  age of 20 she married only to find that she had entered  into a horrendous relationship of physical domestic violence that she endured for 8 years before divorcing her husband . Sorchan has an eight year old son from this marriage who lives with her.

In Sorchan words, “I was very sad when I got disabled  (shot) because here a lot of discrimination. I was  never happy in my life and my marriage was terrible but since I know CNVLD I  change now”.

 In 2007 Sochan become the first female athlete to join the CNVLD wheelchair Racing program and quickly proved to be one of the nation’s leading racers along with showing great leadership skills which led to her being appointed the coach of the Battambang all women wheelchair Racing team. “My mind is now very good and I'm happy because I  can “Stand Up “by myself and now not get so much discrimination from other people like  before and now I can play sport like non-disabled people”

From her winnings at the annual CNVLD wheelchair races and with her CNVLD coaches salary, Sorchan has managed to save enough money to buy a sewing machine and set up her own business which brings in a small but important regular income through sewing clothes and carry bags, Sorchan is now starting to design her own clothes and is developing a market for her product in Battambang province.

Due to Sorchans maturity, commitment, discipline and strength as a leader, she has been appointed as the Senior Coach of the new CNVLD program, The CNVLD Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Program and she will work under the supervision of Ms Tata, The CNVLD  Wheelchair Basketball Program manager.

Sorchan's story is an excellent example of the unique ability of sport to foster positive individual change anddevelop civil society.

The CNVLD Cambodian Women’s Wheelchair Basketball program gratefully acknowledges the support of and assistance of Disability Sports and Recreation (Victoria, Australia), The CANADA Fund, International Red Cross and the Cambodian Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation