Chek is a former soldier. He lost his arms trying to clear a landmine in 1998. His disability is all too visible and unfortunately it's all most people see.
Following his accident, Chek joined the ranks of marginalised Cambodians who struggle to find work - along with other disabled people, women (particularly widows), and around 170,000 people who are infected with HIV.
Social enterprises make a difference
Fortunately for Chek, not all Cambodians view disabled people as worthless.
Chek, who has a wife and six children to support, found work at a social enterprise near his home in Phnom Penh. Rehab Craft Cambodia is a not-for-profit organisation that provides employment opportunities for Cambodians with physical disabilities.
Chek says:
"I started as a security man. After that I became assistant production manager, but when the manager left I was promoted to production manager. I enjoy my job."
But we need your help
It's a great success story, but for every Chek there are thousands of people who won't be given the opportunity to earn any wage, let alone a fair one.
Traidcraft's work in Cambodia helps social enterprises to develop so that more people like Chek can benefit. But we need your help.
Traidcraft Exchange is running a three-year project in Cambodia that will give social enterprises the knowledge they need to become financially stable, and then to grow. We are doing this by training local consultants who will then go out to social enterprises and offer ongoing advice and support.
