by Diana Perez-Buck

07 December 1998

Bonn, Germany: As Carmen Reyes Zubiaga rolled her wheelchair through the dusty, empty rooms of an abandoned colonial building in Phnom Penh, witnesses say there was a look of sheer determination in her face. Apparently undaunted by the surroundings, the petite Filipina simply asked: "When do we get to work?" So began a remarkable journey that was to transform that lifeless building in the heart of Cambodia's capital into the National Centre for Disabled Persons.

Today, two years on, the building is bustling with people and activities, with projects and initiatives, with ideas, dreams and aspirations: a site operated by and for disabled people. And thanks to the ingenuity of UNV Carmen and her team, it has also become a favourite of Cambodia's tourists and expatriates, who buy from its arts and craft shop, meet for lunch at the Centre's popular café, or book weeks in advance massage offered by a team of blind professionals to whom the Centre has rented space.

The Centre was very much needed in Cambodia. The devastating civil war and the hazardous pervasiveness of landmines have taken a heavy toll. One in every 250 Cambodians has lost a limb to a mine, and while casualties have fallen from around 500 to 150 a month, over five million mines are believed to remain undetonated. National de-mining efforts have increased with international support, but Carmen argues that too little attention has been focused on the rehabilitation of victims and on exploring and facilitating prospects for them. Here is where the NCDP has its mission: in Carmen's words "to improve the quality of life of the disabled".

The Centre's philosophy is "helping the disabled help themselves". Take the Café, for example (Carmen's favourite project). It is run entirely by disabled people who had no prior preparation in management, food and beverages or customer-service. Training at the NCDP has not only enabled them to be solely responsible for an enterprise held to high standards of quality, but has greatly enhanced their chances of future employment with other restaurateurs - or perhaps even for starting their own restaurants. "The NCDP", says Carmen, "is a model for change in the sense that all of the disabled here work to be competitive in their fields. Employees here may be disabled, but they have to act as though they are not. It is difficult, particularly at the start, but it is very important that they learn to help themselves first." If the Café is any indication, Carmen and her co-workers have the right formula: it seems always full of customers.

In addition to in-house training and employment, the team works on developing networks which will be effective beyond the Centre, and which will promote durable improvements for disabled people in Cambodia. In close partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs and various organisations, the NCDP's Rehabilitation Referral Service and Job Information Centre help market and place disabled people in professional settings. "Steelworkers, silk-weavers, sculptors and carpenters, electricians, computer experts and secretaries, managers, cooks, barmaids, musicians...you name it, NCDP's got it!" says Carmen. A library is yet another of the Centre's features, with books on Cambodia and on aspects of disability.

One of the greatest challenges for Carmen has been countering beliefs deeply rooted in the country's cultural, social and religious fabric. "Many regard being disabled even as a punishment from God", she remarks. "Most disabled people are afraid to stand up for their rights because people associate them with begging or thieving, and so they most often stay in this void, helplessly. Many have no education, and often their own families treat them poorly". Carmen is a strong believer in gradually re-shaping attitudes. "It is a hard battle, especially because in Cambodia people tend to want all relationships to be peaceful. But we have so much work to do that we must advocate some issues strongly: otherwise we step back. We are leading a fight. It is not easy, but our rights need to be respected. This means we have to be truly involved and integrated."

The role of advocate for the rights of the disabled is not unfamiliar to the UNV. A few years back in her homeland, Carmen went on the air on a radio talk-show to defend an abused young woman. Her voice was heard by the Philippine Government, which took action to redress the woman's grievances. It was then that Carmen thought of pursuing advocacy of minority rights as a career. "My role is to complain so that right words become action. Eventually, people get the point when they see the results." This dimension of her work also extends to promotional initiatives: Carmen has organised high-profile events such as the inauguration of the Centre itself (with Premier Hun Sen as guest of honour) and the launch of preparations for the Sydney Paralympics in 2000, with over 1,000 participants and nation-wide TV coverage.

Carmen's impact on those around her is largely due to the fact that she is herself an example of the sorts of attitudes she encourages others to adopt. Yet where does her own motivation come from? No doubt about it: from her family. Her husband and two sons are by her side and the family recently adopted a young Cambodian girl: ("Not a boy: I want to build up the strength of women" she explains). Also, she is helped by traits that define her: "I consider myself a very creative person. I think that has helped me here; even if it is a difficult situation, I have to be creative to get results. And I easily adapt to any situation". An added advantage may be that while her Filipino heritage is no doubt different from that of Cambodians, there are cultural affinities between the two nations. In speaking of how well she has been received by the local community, she says laughingly: "Maybe it is because I look a bit Khmer!"

Carmen will soon be leaving Cambodia. Much remains to be accomplished but she is satisfied with her contribution: "I am happy to see the people of the Centre feel that this is their work, their property. If I have instilled this commitment and self-confidence then I have done my job. I hope all of the staff, from the front-door guard to the director, feel joy in working here. They are proud to be a part of a growing organisation. In spite of their disabilities, they are motivated to learn and improve their skills. They are serving as inspiration to other disabled people".

When she finishes, Carmen will return to the island where her husband was born, to launch a similar project for the disabled, in which she again hopes to see UNV involved.