"Team work makes the dream work"
That's a befitting line for the work culture at CWC.
The morning of this Saturday started quite early with a delish breakfast of omelette, bacon and sausages at Lalune hotel and we started out on a 3 hour journey to Kampong Thom.
Our team with 4 translators left in 2 vans with our bags for an overnight stay at Kampong Thom.
After a pleasant journey (thanks to our air conditioned vans) we reached Kampong Thom at 11:30.
The team set up the place quickly at the Christian youth centre hall. Having been together for 5 clinics, we now work in sync. Lunch was a hearty meal of hot rice and vegetable stir fry and a broth of stuffed tomatoes with pork balls.
The clinic started at 12:45 and we treated over 250 patients. The team treated a range of medical conditions with the common ones being scabies, chicken pox, common cold, fever in children, joint pain, anemia and yeast infections.
We also performed a few wound dressings. The spectacles counter was a hit as usual with all the beneficiaries being very thankful.
It was an overwhelming day for Gabby and Caz as one of their patients had lost her husband the previous day and was very emotional. They did a fantastic job of comforting her , treating her and she left feeling very grateful. She was speechless at the affection and support offered that she thanked us all with a warm embrace.
The host team at the Youth centre were very helpful and caring and managed the flow of patients so well that everyone got the time and attention needed.
The work at the medical clinics are hectic , hot and sweaty. However, at the end of a hard day we are left with a warm glow of feeling rewarded and blessed. The people of Cambodia are very polite, kind, respectful and return every favour with many blessings. Despite their poverty they remain very rich and generous in their hearts. They receive every donation with utmost gratitude
What pleasantly surprised the whole team was not one child or adult touched any of our belongings while we were at lunch despite their poverty. Their lack of a dishonest bone make us respect their values much more and warms the cockles of our hearts.
The hospitality and affection of Kampong Thom will not be forgotten soon.