The rabbit, in Cambodia, is revered as a wise animal who is courageous, kind, polite and does no harm to others. Popular legends also describe the rabbit as a clever animal often playing a role as judge, mediator or referee, helping to settle disputes between animals and between animals and humans. Parents promote the rabbit to their children as a model of ‘good living’. The name for the school was chosen by the students and teachers.

Currently thirty orphaned and abandoned children, with more severe disabilities, spend some hours each day at the Rabbit School which is situated within the grounds of a government orphanage in Phnom Penh.

In the past these children were often left without any mental or physical stimulation. Therefore it was felt necessary to improve their well-being. With the approval of the authorities and with input from volunteers and interested people a school was started. It was also necessary to prove that children with disabilities, no matter how handicapped, have a right to education and to a certain quality of life.

Since 1999 Friends of interPART have provided the salaries for the Head Teacher and the Deputy Head Teacher plus other small items. The Head Teacher, is currently in India studying for a Diploma in Special Education. To our knowledge he will be the only teacher in Cambodia with these qualifications. As the education system in Cambodia moves towards the inclusion of children with disabilities it is hoped that the Rabbit School will become a centre for teacher training.

The Hope and the Dream of the Rabbit School ****** A place where ALL children will learn to live and grow

The changes in the lives of the children have been astounding. Many have progressed from lying on the floor doing nothing to students sitting on their chairs dressed in a school uniform, writing, drawing, playing games, sometimes going swimming and visiting places of interest. Within the school building, built with funds from AusAID, there is a school room and one for therapy. Dedicated Cambodian teachers and physiotherapy aides give tuition and therapy five days a week.