Over the years, there’s been one little coffee house in Kampot that’s become something of a bolt-hole for visiting Dubbonian Rotarians.

Established in 2003, Epic Arts Cafe is a social enterprise that provides an “Inclusive working environment” for disabled local people – many of them deaf.

Essentially, Epic Arts brings employment and empowerment through the arts for people with and without disability.  The cafe is the “face” of the organisation and it’s staffed entirely by people with a disability – people who are without doubt among the most friendly, cheery and utterly delightful in all of Kampot.

Orders are taken through an innovative system whereby customers choose from the menu then record their own order on a special form.  SIgns around the cafe advise that if staff fail to respond, they’re not being rude, they’re just deaf! And the menu comes complete with a very handy little lesson on Khmer sign language.

Adorning the walls is a range of artwork and craft items made by the “employees” of Epic Arts – everything from cloth bags to jewellery and cards and traditional scarves.   The organisation runs a number of inclusive arts-based programs, with their overall aim being to encourage everyone to “see the ability not the disability”.

When I visited today with Jos Barber (Narromine ex-pat, Kampot guest house owner, CLS board member and all-round extraordinary person) , the place was chock-a-block with people from all over the world enjoying the great coffee and great food, secure in the knowledge that their money was being put to good use.

Epic Arts is a worthy organisation and its people are charming.

Not to mention that thier lime/coconut cake seriously should be legal tender.