Essential Personnel Cambodia (EPC)

EPC is a Non-Government Organisation based in Phnom Penh that is dedicated to empowering young Cambodians with disabilities through education and vocational training, leading to employment and independence. Their Goals: Ensure that young people with disabilities access education, vocational skills development and employment to ensure their economic self-sufficiency, independent living and full community participation. Strengthen social and independent living skills for young persons with disabilities based on the principles of disability rights and self-determination and the world of work. Projects All of EPC’s programs and projects are intended to facilitate or provide formal and informal education programmes to assist children and youth with disabilities towards self-sustaining employment. EPC’s primary beneficiaries are children and young people with physical disabilities throughout Cambodia. Their clients are a) aged between 10 and 17, eligible for support to attend government schools and vocational training centres; and b) youth aged between 18 and 35 eligible for tertiary education and employment. EPC also supports these young people’s parents and the communities in which they live. The essential basic principle of EPC’s work in relation to both external activity and internal organization is to help disadvantaged young people with physical disabilities. This means that their work is to provide education, professional skills for better lives and provision employment for Cambodian youth with disabilities to live a meaningful and active role in society. They work with their clients in a client-centred and inclusive approach, seeking to empower people with a disability to attain their goals and aspirations. EPC aims to work in an integrative and collaborative way with other organisations, services, government sectors, and education facilities. EPC is part of the Cambodian network of organizations whose focus is working with people with disabilities. The network includes the Disability Action Council (DAC), the Cambodian Disabled persons organization (CDPO), the National Centre for Disabled persons (NCDP), Action on Disability and Development (ADD) and the Association of the Blind in Cambodia, (ABC).