Kheav Sothearith is a 17-year-old boy with Autism. Sothearith lives with his parents in Sangkat Chey Chumnean, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh. Sothearith’s family is a low-income family with five members, including his brother and sister. His father is a security guard at a shop, and his mother is a cleaner at a hotel. Sothearith started studying at Rabbit School in 2015 and is currently studying in grade 3 at Toul Kok Primary School in Phnom Penh. Before school enrollment, he was a naughty boy, frightened and afraid of speaking out, and did not know how to write, do basic calculations, or do self-help activities.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, his parents lost jobs and lived with not enough income. So, the local authority provided them with some foods such as rice, fish source, soy source, canned fish, cooking oil, and noodles. RSO also provided in-kind scholarships to Sothearith’s family, such as food and study materials. The family’s situation is improving because his father earned a salary from the security guard and additional income from the motorbike taxi business. His mother works as a cleaner at a hotel, and his sister also has a paid job.
After attending class, Sothearith can now read and write some words. He can calculate 2-digit plus or minus numbers. Usually, he did his homework and submitted it to the teacher on time. He has friends and enjoys learning and playing with his friends at school. At home, Sothearith helps the family with work such as washing clothes, cleaning the house and doing other housework.
For the next year, 2023, Sothearith will be an 18-year-old adult. He will attend vocational skills training such as hygiene and sanitation, daily living skills, behavior education, and learning how to produce paper bags.
