On a bustling day in Phnom Penh, the hum of conversations fills the air. Amid the lively voices and everyday exchanges, a quieter story unfolds—one told not through sound, but through the graceful movements of sign language and the quiet determination of those who use it.
For Teang Kim, 37, life took a dramatic turn in December 2024 when he traded his café job for a new role at Wing Bank. A friend had recommended the opportunity, but the transition was anything but easy.
“At the beginning, it was quite difficult,” Kim recalled with a smile. “I had to learn so many new things. But now, everything feels natural.”
Kim and his colleagues receive extensive training on Wing Bank’s products, services, and processes—gaining not just technical knowledge but also the confidence to thrive. Yet for Kim, what stood out most wasn’t the skills he learned but the sense of belonging he discovered.
At his previous workplace, conversations ended when the shift did. At Wing Bank, friendships extend beyond office hours—through evening chats, weekend sports, and shared laughter.
“It feels like family,” Kim said simply.
For Chhunlong Nhong, Wing Bank represents more than just a job. Her days begin before sunrise as she drops her nephew at school, commutes from the home she shares with her mother and two sisters and attends her Information Technology classes—all while working at the bank. One of her sisters are hearing-impaired; one is not. Together, they navigate life through sign language, care, and determination.
“I love that here at Wing Bank, there are friends who understand me,” Chhunlong shared. “It’s rare to find a workplace where communication comes so easily.”
For her, the job offers independence, a supportive environment, and the confidence to dream bigger.
This initiative is championed by Arunava Dasgupta, Division Chief Customer Officer at Wing Bank and a long-standing advocate for inclusive employment across borders.
“They are incredibly attentive to their tasks,” Arunava said. “Our colleagues in Project Echo are just as committed and accountable as any other team members. What they show us is that inclusion is not about lowering standards, but about providing the right environment so every Cambodian—regardless of how they communicate with words or by signs —can thrive!”
Wing Bank is the first company in Cambodia to integrate deaf individuals into its customer experience operations—a bold move that redefines what it means to serve not just customers, but entire communities.
“We’re breaking down barriers to inclusion,” he continued. “Staying true to our mission of being the Bank for Every Cambodian and our WINGER values—by respecting and nurturing the strengths of the deaf community, we unlock growth and innovation that benefit us all.”
By empowering these employees to lead, communicate, and excel in customer service, Wing Bank is breaking barriers and proving that every voice—spoken or signed—deserves to be heard.
According to the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey (2023), approximately 1,003,000 Cambodians aged five and older experience some form of hearing difficulty. Of these, about 153,000 reports having great difficulty hearing, while around 17,000 are completely unable to hear.
Since December 2024, five deaf employees have joined Wing Bank, each receiving equal treatment and full benefits. For them, the job represents more than a paycheck. It offers friendship, acceptance, and the dignity of being valued for their abilities—not defined by their limitations.
For Kimhai Peng, 34, the bank job is just one part of his life. After work, he repairs furniture in his workshop or joins colleagues for badminton and soccer matches. It’s a balance of work, creativity, and camaraderie—a life full of possibility.
As the world marks International Deaf Day, Arunava hopes others will pause, reflect, and reach out—to bridge silence with understanding and recognize that inclusion begins with listening.
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