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
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