In August 2013, I had the privilege of spending a week volunteering at the Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap. I was greeted at the hospital with so much excitement and enthusiasm. During my time at the AHC I met so many different people, including nurses, doctors, administrative workers and patients. My experience with the inspiring Cambodian staff and patients left a lasting impression on my life. I was able to interact with many of the patients, shadow the nurses and also participate in homecare visits to bring medical care to local Cambodians who were unable to travel to the city to seek the healthcare they needed. The patients I was directly working with were patients who were suffering from severe malnutrition, or had been affected by HIV/AIDS.
We traveled all the way to Battambang to perform check ups and deliver medication to several different patients suffering from malnutrition, as well as one patient suffering from cerebral palsy. While we spent a lot of time with the patients during our trip to Battambang, we were also able to visit the Kamping Pouy Lake and enjoy the beautiful countryside of Cambodia.
My time at the AHC provided me with unique skills in interacting with different patients and caring for young children. I gained extensive knowledge that I would never receive in Canada, as well as a beautiful outlook on the country of Cambodia and its people. The people of Cambodia are truly an inspiration after all the country has been through, and I feel fortunate to have been able to volunteer some of my time to help this country. I feel lucky to have been a part of the AHC community and to witness first-hand the incredible things that they do. I hope to be back soon!
Lindsay Peretz, Vancouver, Canada
Allison Jackes reporting on Brown Rice Restaurant –
While in Siem Reap, I met Gemma and her partner Chor. They, along with a couple of Chor’s friends, had opened a restaurant and were struggling with several aspects of it. Having worked in restaurants throughout university, and discussing the restaurants’ struggles, they realized I have extensive knowledge in the functioning and running of restaurants. This is the reason I commenced the role as Capacity Builder and Marketing Administrator for Brown Rice Restaurant.
The roles and projects this position enabled me to be a part of were diverse; from creating marketing materials, developing inventory and ordering systems, promoting through social media, menu development, and conducting trainings with the staff; I was able to tackle many different projects in many different areas.
My work has been both challenging and rewarding. To begin with it was a pleasant surprise to find that the knowledge and skills I had learned over several years in customer service based positions could add value to a local business. Siem Reap is flourishing under the expanding tourism industry and I want to make sure it is not only the foreign run businesses that benefit from this development, but locals too. Furthermore, to help these three socially conscious young men turn their restaurant vision into a reality has been an experience!
Working with a locally owned and run business has also given me a real insight into Khmer culture. Having to tailor some activities and conversations to meet with local Khmer norms allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for the culture. Furthermore, to see the staff grow as they were continually empowered and challenged has been rewarding.
When I left for Cambodia I was hoping to leave the restaurant world behind, but this experience has shown me that there are always a variety of opportunities; skills and experience that I may not personally hold to high esteem, may actually be invaluable to others and can be used to create real change.
Summer 2014 
I was given a month long volunteer position at ANGKOR HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN in the Capacity Building and Health and Education Program (CBHEP). This team takes a preventative approach to health care, working to both educate and improve rural health centers in the Siem Reap Province.
My role with CBHEP was to finish a report summarizing their 4 year project in one rural commune. After a day trip in the field with the team I was able to see how their 4 year intervention process had grown. Starting with a baseline survey the individual needs of the community were assessed and a program was designed based around improving child, maternal and environmental health. The team spends the majority of their time in the field empowering locals and encouraging self-sufficiency. I collaborated with a well-known American doctor on the project, and our work was recently presented to the board.
Though challenging at many points, my experience at AHC was very rewarding. To be involved in the final stages of a long term project and provide the CBHEP team with a resource that really highlights the impact of their work, was a fulfilling experience. Furthermore, I was introduced to a team of very dedicated, optimistic and passionate people who are committed to creating change in their country.
I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Angkor Hospital for Children, especially the Capacity Building and Health and Education team for involving me in such a dynamic project. I would also like to thank Dr. Mike Wall, whose occasionally blunt but guided editing was invaluable.
Canadian Volunteer Alison Jackes
Summer 2014
Steve, the co-chair of Taste the World Steve and Tannis proudly in front of Taste the World Calgary poster at the entrance of the Intensive Care Ward .
Hanna Shafran’s journey of a lifetime!
“In May of this year I embarked on the journey of a lifetime. I arrived in Siem Reap with a bag full of school supplies and an unparalleled excitement of what was to come. I spent the following three weeks volunteering at Seeking God English School and at Smiling Hearts Association for Children, teaching kindergarten, second, and fifth grade.
I know this is extremely cliché, but my students taught me far more than I taught them in the time we shared together. Every class my students were engaged and they were excited to learn new things; they made strides in their education during the few short weeks I was there. Each and every one of my students is unique and special, they each have their own ambitions, and each and everyone is thrilled to have the opportunity to learn English. I am proud of every one of them and hope to return to Siem Reap soon to see their progress.
Teaching English in Siem Reap was the best thing I’ve ever done. The Cambodian people are wonderful and they have an amazing culture. As soon as I have the chance I will return to teach again. I will always have ties to my schools, to my students, and to Cambodia. “ By Hanna Shafran, 2014
Neonatal beds kindly donated by St George’s School Grade 5 Class of 2013 Vancouver, Canada
Supporting children in Cambodia and Angkor Hospital for Children Satellite Clinic
Cookie sales at St George’s
Yummy Canadian cakes raise money
We are extremely lucky to have an awesome team of supporters all over the world who raise funds for Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC). But Daniel Johnston of Vancouver, Canada is one of our youngest supporters, and we were thrilled to hear he helped raise US$1,541.50 for us. Go Daniel!
Back in January 2013 Daniel visited AHC’s Satellite Clinic with his father and this trip inspired him to help raise money to buy additional beds. To do this, Daniel decided to arrange a bake sale at his school, St. George’s Boys School, not only to fundraise, but also to raise awareness of AHC – at the same time providing tasty treats for his classmates!
“’I am really interested in inspiring kids to help other kids, and there are so many ways to do it and help others around the world! The best is by spreading the word and sharing your ideas with friends, family and classmates. The most important one is telling all the parents you know that they absolutely must visit the Angkor Hospital for Children if they go to Siem Reap. They will learn so much, like I did,” says Daniel.
The bake sale raised US$1,241.50 and to show support, his uncles and aunts: Thomas, Deanne, Diane and Dr. William donated a further US$300 for two neonatal beds. Daniel’s efforts were also were recognized by his school where he received the George Shield Award award for ‘outstanding service’ in front of 200 people.
Thanks Daniel, you are an inspiration to other young people out there, and really show us all how kids in Canada can help kids in Cambodia.
by Message from Vicky, the AHC communication person, in Cambodia—- “The article has now been posted on the AHC website and will be mentioned on Facebook later this week: http://angkorhospital.org/?post_type=news&p=5701”
Vancouver base Sea Courses Cruises sail to Siem Reap –
120 guests were welcomed to Siem Reap by Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) on December 1, 2013 as part of a unique collaboration with Sea Courses Cruises. A Canadian-based organization that provides physicians and health care professionals with continuing medical education courses on board cruise ships as they sail around the world.
During the Siem Reap leg of their cruise, AHC’s senior medical staff including Medical Executive Director Dr. Bill Housworth, Deputy Director Dr. Pheaktra, and Medical Director and Cardiologist Dr. Pises presented a talk entitled ‘The Cambodian Health Care System from AHC’s Perspective.’ The experienced team outlined the multifaceted challenges of working in the Government system, while continually striving to improve the quality of health care here in Cambodia.
Following the insightful presentation, guests had the opportunity to ask questions and participate in informal discussions on a one-to-one basis with the AHC team.
Angkor Hospital for Children was thrilled to have an international platform in order to share our work with cruise guests and provide an insight into health care in Cambodia, and the challenges we face with regards to improving quality, standards and best practices in the system.
We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Sea Courses Cruises and hope to welcome more guests to Siem Reap, Cambodia in the future.
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David Shoemaker’s account of Sarah Pattison’s visit to Siem Reap and Angkor Hospital for Children:
“Sarah had a good time here – didn’t miss a thing – the temples, cooking classes, shopping, a fishing trip, hiking, and of course many drinks together. She was the even first passenger in the new vehicle donated by Mrs. V. Trethewey, who she will be seeing in a couple of weeks back in Vancouver and will tell The Trethewey family all about it. Sarah’s daughter Julia is a delight and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her back volunteering sometime. It is always such a pleasure to have interestingly active visitors from Canada here.” David Shoemaker
WEAVES Cambodge by Nina Cassils
We drove up country 1 hour on hard surface, 2.5 hours on dirt road 80% full of pot holes. Our destination Tbaeng Meanchey in Preah Vihear province Carol Cassidy’s ‘studio’ so primitive, dirt floors, endearing weavers, amazing to find such luxurious textiles created ‘from the red earth’. Here over 40 rural artisans, land mine survivors earn a sustainable income under the generous care of Carol’s NGO Weaves of Cambodia.
From the red earth of Preah Vihear, Cambodia, a community of determined land mine survivors is creating a sustainable income through traditional weaving. …
In 1998 with five women making silk products and now employs over 40 rural artisans who use their artistic skills to earn a sustainable income. Carol Cassidy stresses, “we strive to uphold Fair Trade values by ensuring that all team members are able to enjoy a healthy and safe working environment.”
Weaves Cambodia’s objective is to improve the lives of rural, disabled persons, mainly women, through silk weaving for income. Weaves Cambodia only employs land mine survivors and disabled individuals, putting special emphasis on women and their families…who produce fine quality silk scarves that are completely environmentally friendly. Weaves Cambodia silk supports sustainable village life and fair trade in a reconstructing country.
