(February 2025) In Phnom Penh, the Light of Mercy Home (LMH) serves as both a home and learning centre for children with disabilities, offering not only education but also the experience of living in a supportive community with peers facing similar challenges. LMH focuses especially on children who are poor and have never before attended school, ensuring they are not left behind.
The vision of LMH is clear: to enable children with disabilities to live with dignity and to be recognised as full participants in Cambodian society. The project emphasises independence, encouraging every child to embrace their disability as part of their identity while preparing for adulthood. In 2023, the Home provided full-time care and accommodation for 22 children and youth, aged 9 to 18, including 13 girls. Jesuit Mission works in partnership with Jesuit Service Cambodia to implement the project.
Daily life at LMH is centred on three key areas: care, education, and skills development. Children receive accommodation, meals, and healthcare to meet essential needs. Most attend nearby public schools with access to special education, while those unable to do so study within LMH. Beyond academics, students explore their talents through classes in computer skills, music, dance, gardening, crafts, English, and sign language.
Equally important, LMH teaches vital life skills, including hygiene and health awareness. These lessons build confidence and independence, helping children prepare for brighter, self-reliant futures.
