Her Excellency, Ms Penny Richards, helps celebrate Mural Project

Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, Her Excellency, Ms Penny Richards, was thrilled to be a part of the Epic Arts/Rose Rehab Mural Celebration on Friday 22nd October, 2010. We feel very honoured to have had her attend and participate in our celebration and recognition of the amazing abilities of all people. Joanna (Rose Rehab) and fellow Australian Youth Ambassador for Development (AYAD), Naomi Gow of Epic Arts, were successful in gaining a small assignment support grant from AYAD to run the Mural Project together. Rose Rehab needed the big white wall in the therapy area to be brought to life, and Epic Arts, being an organisation that aims to promote empowerment, integration and acceptance of people with disabilities through art, dance and music programs seemed the perfect partner. By networking with Epic Arts, we are forging a new relationship where health, arts and vocational training will be used to inspire and empower people with disabilities.
For the week of the 18th October until the 22nd, we were lucky enough to have Epic Arts students, all of whom are deaf, teach people with disabilties in the art of mural painting. 6 women with physical disabilties from the Prey Veng Supportive Homes and several patients from Rose Rehab participated in the project, as well as many hospital staff, children, and passers by. For the entire week, disability of the participants was not recognised. Everyone was given a go, everyone participated, and everyone was on an equal level. The participants themselves reported this as being one of the best things about the week, that everyone was respected. Another participant commented that for this week, she was doing her first ever job and she felt no discrimination.
The impact of conducting this project during this week was enormous. So many people joined; the tuk tuk driver, the cleaner, the interpreter, the children whose mother was in the maternity ward. It was such a positive vibe, with the awe of onlookers obvious as they marvelled at the ability of people in wheelchairs, or with no hands, to paint such a beautiful mural. Everyone was patient, and everyone helped out other people. Adaptions were made where necessary, and everyone felt included and valued.

We begin with a very big blank wall! Straight to the cutting in

Already looking good with the base coats The drawings begin, Roath and Sokna

The wall is really alive now!!!

And the absolutely marvellous finished product. Congratulations to everyone!!

A very proud bunch!

Friday afternoon buzzed with excitement as the celebrations began. We were fortunate enough to have Master Kong Nai, famous Cambodian blind musician, play for us through out the ceremony, as well as a vibrant performance from the very skilled 'Tiny Toones'. Tiny Toones Cambodia uses breakdancing, Hip-Hop music, and the contemporary arts as creative tools to empower the youth of Cambodia to live healthier lives free of HIV and drugs, build a more promising future by furthering their educational opportunities, and become positive role models for their community. They welcome all youth to participate in its programs, regardless of gender, social-economic status, physical handicaps, family background, or other personal disadvantages. Their performance was quite spectactular on Friday! All participants received certificates of achievement to both a loud round of applause and 'deaf clapping', which is shimmering of your hands up by your head!

Blind musician, Master Kong Nai, plays through out the ceremony

Dr Nous Sarom, Dr Prak Phorn (Chief of Operational District), Her Excellency Ms Penny Richards, Joanna, Naomi Gow (Epic Arts), Mr Ull Meng Hour (Prey Veng)

Chan Chea stands and walks to receive her certificate, with the very kind, and unprompted assistance from a young 'Tiny Toone'. Example of the respect and consideration for all that was evident throughout the week.