Our first three days of clinic have been spent with our old friend Sarorn and his family providing health care in and around Trabek Village. For those who have followed our adventures from previous years, you’ll know that the clinics with Sarorn can be (mostly) busy, sweaty chaos and we see close to 400 people a day.
Something strange must have been in the air……the locals, maybe sensing the afternoon storms would mean travel to our location would be wet and muddy perhaps deterred them from attending. Either that or as we hoped to think, they were not as sick as when we have visited before and had no need for our assistance. Something that is great to see.
With the newbies settling in over the three days to what is required in setting up for the day, tables were stacked, and pharmacy supplies stocked;
“Super organised pharmacy in the most disorganised setting” Troy
The glasses were prepared for those in need and although initial frustrations were felt in communicating what was needed when it came to long or short-sighted glasses, by day three, a system had been worked out that meant many happy customers were leaving the spec table.
The team was able to get down to business and start seeing patients quickly and the experiences of the old ducks were soon felt by the new team in how different it can be connecting, communicating and providing health care in remote Cambodia. The cases that required more attention ebbed and flowed throughout the days, and details were kept of those who will require our help to access more intense hospital care in the next few weeks. Many of the health problems experienced by Cambodians are not dissimilar to those in our home country, although theirs are bourn through much greater hardship. It is always humbling to be able to offer even the most basic of healthcare, knowing it will have a positive impact on their life.
We know from past experiences that balls and bubbles always go down a treat with the children, so it was great that Nicole got a cheeky purchase in at the market on the way out to the village. That combined with the parachute donated from Australia ensured the kids were not disappointed. Their constant presence and smiling, cheeky faces ensured many a heart melted. Even the young boy on bamboo crutches managed to participate in the game of soccer.
The team was ill prepared for the sudden storm that blew in from the south. The skies darkened as bruised and sullen storm clouds obscured the light of day. In a matter of moments, thunderbolts and lightening! (very, very frightening!!), followed by a severe downpour. The temperature mercifully dropped and whilst the team relished the respite from the humidity, the bogging of the bus had commenced. The wheels on the bus went round and round, round and round, round and round, but the bus stayed firmly in place. Two hours later, with the assistance of a local truck driver, a bale of hay and some elbow grease, we were safely on our way, muddy boots in tow.
Visiting Sarorn is always a high point on our trip and his family ensure we are always well fed. His mum did not disappoint as Danny’s four bowls will attest. The array of soups, greens and fruit provided for our lunches each day meant we left the villages with our hearts and tummies full to the brim.
The team reciprocated with a well-earned dinner after the last clinic and we treated Sarorns family to a meal at the Mekong View restaurant. The team embraced titanic karaoke, however, as soon as mother Witter unleashed the pipes, the music stopped abruptly…..(completely understandable). Although our voices were not on point, the views certainly were.
We are truly lucky to be part of this team and our return to this beautiful country has reaffirmed that the time and effort we spend fundraising and collecting donations, really does help and improve the lives of the locals here.
