They went to Cambodia in December 2003 to set up a new branch of Epic Arts, a London charity working to integrate people of all abilities and disabilities using the arts.

Disability in Cambodia today:
It is estimated that 1 in 250 Cambodians has some form of disability, the highest ratio in the world. Caused largely by the ongoing conflict, the current cause of disability is mainly road and work accidents and the continuing threat of land mines which alone maim and kill up to 30 Cambodians a month (reduced from 200-300 during the 1975-1989 conflicts). In addition the ‘unseen’ ongoing cost of psychological and emotional trauma compounds problems for both the disabled and their families.

Epic Art's response:
The work of Epic Arts in Cambodia is two-fold -
1) Using the workshop space as a safe place to take risks, and for clients to express freely, try new ideas and grow in confidence. Since Pol Pot times people are afraid to have their own ideas, but without creative thinking how can a society advance and develop?
2) To use the performances created by clients as advocacy tools, changing attitudes, and raising awareness about issues around disability.

Case study:
It is remarkable to see the changes in clients. One boy in particular suffering the effects of leprosy, joined a workshop full of intrepidation. He spent the first hour hiding behind a pillar in shame. By the end of three days, he was proudly clutching his art work, and became the lead role in the dance piece. This is just one example of the small miracles happening daily, through the healing power of the arts. Children and adults being allowed to play, express themselves, create, feel valued and perform, are then able to find a new voice and confidence with which they can reintegrate back into society unashamed.

A day in the life in Kampot (the new art center for children with & without disabilities)...
We wake usually around 6am. Shower with our bucket and scoop, with water that looks the colour of a weak cup of tea!  Katie peddles off with CD player in the front of her bike basket to teach. Hal heads out to one of the slum areas for meetings about fixing roads or drainage.
Lunch - usually cheese and French bread.  Siesta! Obligatory!
2pm - back to work, or sometimes it'll be admin at home.
5pm - TEA!!! Very important! On our balcony, overlooking the river and Bokor mountain. Joining the kids and water buffalo having an evening bathe, everyone fully clad, sun setting to a deep pink. Usual sounds, monks chanting, pigs squealing in baskets on the back of motor bikes, gheckos, dog fights, “Hello. What's your name?"