Must-Do's in Phnom Penh From Newcastle Nursing

PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: University of Newcastle Nursing Placement
WRITTEN BY: Molly Batinic

Last week in Cambodia, and we have ticked almost everything off of our bucket lists, plus some. We not only saw the last of the kids at PIO and started work at a new school, we also took our long weekend as an opportunity to explore Siem Reap … And it was worth every minute! The top 5 must-do’s of the week are almost all in this incredible city. 

 First of all, no one can miss the chance to see Angkor Wat, more specifically, at sunrise. From the history, to the beauty of this famous landmark, it was a fantastic way to start our Siem Reap adventure. After a long day of exploring that and many more temples, we decided to hit up Pub Street. And yes, it is exactly as the name suggests. We ate delicious food and danced the night away with both locals and tourists on our first night away from Phnom Penh. However, after an excellent, but long first day there, it was time to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Kulen Mountains. This involved three different stops on our tour, including a visit to the big Buddha, a hike along the underwater carvings river and finally a swim in the ever so enchanting waterfalls. It was simply magnificent! Next on the list is a visit to the Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital for an amazing and eye-opening Saturday night. Due to this chain of hospitals in Cambodia, millions of children’s lives have been saved that would not have without sufficient treatment.

And finally, our last to do for this week is based in Phnom Penh, however it is most certainly not for everyone. As we have been enjoying supporting the many dining-for-a-cause restaurants in Cambodia, we decided to continue this and have dinner at ‘Dine in the Dark.’ The idea is to be placed in the same shoes as a visually impaired local and eat a 3-course meal whilst having no idea of what you're actually eating. Like I said, it's definitely not for everyone. However, it was a great experience and although not all agreed, some of us girls would most certainly go back again.

Now onto the work part … We didn't quite manage to get through all of the 500+ kids at PIO, but we came extremely close and a everyone put in a huge effort. Although, our last day at the school was a bittersweet one and a few sneaky tears were shed whilst saying goodbye to all of these delightful children. But lucky for us, we were onto a new a school, where the children were just as wonderful. Chibodia is an afternoon school where children from the countryside can go to learn English, sewing and computers. We did basic health checks here, as well as educating the children about proper hygiene standards, which they absolutely loved! On our own time, some of us girls also visited a school in which one of our translators volunteers for, which teaches English and computers on an island just outside of Phnom Penh. It is called the Coconut School and it has changed the lives of many children and broadened their minds and futures, which will indefinitely change the future of Cambodia for the better.

We now have one more school to attend and get through as many kids there as possible, before we say our final goodbyes and leave this incredible country. You could say, we are feeling quite sad about this prospect already!

Feeling At Home in Cambodia – Newcastle Nursing in Phnom Penh

COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: University of Newcastle Nursing Placement
WRITTEN BY: Molly Batinic

Sous sdei! (Hello)

One week down and we're almost locals. This week we have spent much time absorbing the culture of beautiful Cambodia. It's Tuesday afternoon and we are currently getting pedicures after a long, but rewarding, day. We have seen over 500 kids, with only the teeny tiny kindergarten students to go. Each grade has its own profoundly unique characteristics and personalities. 

The grade 6 students are extremely smart and caring of both the younger children and us foreigners. The infant children are much louder, however, but their endearing smiles and everlasting happiness take us by the heartstrings. We have poured out heart and souls into trying to help these children and the outcomes have been absolutely incredible. Watching these children smile and laugh, as well as holding their hands when they cry has been extraordinary and inspired us to continue to do such great work each and every day.

However, this week has not all been about hard work and no play, we also had the weekend to explore the everlasting sights of Phnom Penh.

 Our top 5 must-dos from this weekend included a visit to the heartbreaking killing fields. Our Saturday morning was spent touring the place where millions of Cambodians were slaughtered only 40 odd years ago, and was a life-changing experience, especially hearing the survivors’ stories. On a happier note, that lunchtime we immersed ourselves in some traditional Khmer food... Tarantulas. Huge, scary and hairy – but delicious – spiders.

 Another must-do in Cambodia is to get a massage. They are super cheap and perfect for anyone who wantsto relax for a peaceful hour. We decided to go to one named seeing hands, which employs blind locals and gives them a stable job to live by. Another highlight was the night markets. The setup of these was unexpected in an extremely delightful way. They were completely different from any markets back at home, with live music and so many food options to choose from, we were absolutely in our element whilst bartering away for cheap shoes, clothes, jewellery and everything in-between.

But after a couple of nights here, our wallets were begging us to stop. So the last must-do for this week was a free and eventful night at the Olympic stadium. But no, it was not for soccer or football, or even athletics – but rather, for aerobics. Every night locals spend sunset swaying and Cha-chaing the night away whilst listening to all types of music. It's the funnest way to burn away all of the food we have been eating.

Speaking of food, we have been getting to know each other, as well as our translators, much more this week over lunches at the mall. These were done throughout the week in the middle of the days at the clinic. The air conditioning and good company has been a great way to split up some of the difficult days. The translators are incredible locals who all attend the university for either medicine or dentistry. We laugh hysterically on a daily basis when we are together, and they are absolute lifesavers with both their translating and medical knowledge. They will surely be missed when we leave.

Ah kon (thank you) to them all.

Newcastle Nursing Settle Into Life in Phnom Penh

COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: University of Newcastle Nursing Placement
WRITTEN BY: Molly Batinic

Six strangers travelled together to Phnom Penh and luckily, so far so good. The traffic is chaotic, the language is unknown and the culture is immensely different. For the first couple of days we were thrown straight into the culture and sights of beautiful Cambodia before starting our work at the health clinic.

This epic adventure that was enabled by Antipodeans Abroad has influenced us to do other charitable activities whilst here. On day two, we decided that lunch at Friends was a must-do. Friends employs disadvantaged youth to get them off the streets, and teaches them vital cooking skills so they can have a brighter, happier future. This vibrant restaurant not only encourages hope for these children, but also has a positive environment and incredible food.

Many of the must-sees of Phnom Penh were checked off of our bucket list in these days. This includes visiting the S21 jail where the Khmer Rouge genocide took place during the 1970’s, wiping out 3 million Cambodians in just over 3 years. The Palace was also another wonderful sight to see, and was such a shock to see how much respect and devotion was still directed towards Buddhism and their King.

A sunset cruise is also a must-do if you are looking for a peaceful end to the day – a serenity-filled dinner. Whilst in Phnom Penh, it’s also fantastic to experience the bustling markets. Barter with the locals and shop till you drop, whilst spending little amounts of money on clothing, paintings, ornaments and everything in between. Lastly, if living on the edge is your style, jump on a cyclo-bike and rush through the city streets. You will support a local charity, whilst maneuver crazily through the traffic to get to around the city.

After exploring, we were ready to immerse ourselves in the clinics.

The alarm buzzed at 5.30am on Wednesday morning, and we dressed in our scrubs and got ready to tackle the busy day ahead. We were faced with many challenges and our worlds were put into perspective. From the poor working conditions, to the extreme health conditions, we were feeling overwhelmed by what we came across. Basic health checks in our country seem like so little, but to these children they were so much more. We set up stations to include eye checks, ear checks, skin and hair integrity, height/weight and temperature, vital signs, as well as dental interventions and quality of life questionnaires. By the end of the afternoon, we had our routine down-pat and established rapport and trust with the children. The day drew to a close and we were feeling both exhausted and excited for the many days to come.

30 children assessed, only 470 to go. Wish us luck!

Our Final Memories in Cambodia

COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: University of Newcastle Nursing Placement
WRITTEN BY: Justine Nicholson and Nikki Smith

Our group spent the weekend in Siem Reap, which was a new and exciting experience for all of us. Temples, temples and more temples! We watched the sunrise at Angkor Wat, which was well worth the early start and the wait for the sun to come up through the clouds. This was followed by climbing the stairs of Angkor Wat for a majestic view and exploring the city of Angkor Thom and its three temples. It was also great to spend the afternoon in Ta Prohm, which placed us right in the middle of Tomb Raider. Equally as spectacular was the sunset at Angkor Wat which some of the group got to enjoy. We flew back to Phnom Penh on Sunday ready for our second round of health assessments at a new venue.

Day 16
We travelled to a different part of town where our next placement was situated. We all got a shock as we walked down the alley toward where we would be spending the next 4 days. We were introduced to the co-ordinator who educated us about the organisation and its aims to help the surrounding community to stop child sex trafficking and educate those in need. Their objectives also include education for work and improving living standards of the surrounding community.

On the first day, we were told we would be seeing around 50 kids in the morning and 50 in the afternoon. As the day went by it became clear that the differences in health needs for this community were much different to our first placement. We also had the opportunity to undertake health care assessments on women as old as 97 and babies as young as 2 months old. The reality of the poor health in this community made us grateful for the healthcare in Australia by comparison.

For Australia Day we organised with our hotel to have a BBQ. We invited our new Cambodian friends, who were our interpreters, to join our fun. This was the first time they had experienced an Australia Day celebration. We enjoyed the BBQ with fresh prawns, BBQ beef, pork and vegetables and Cambodian beer. We also made lamingtons with the ingredients we had access to and some very creative chefs! A great night was had by all and it was a great opportunity to show another culture how we celebrate our beautiful country.

Day 17 and 18
We continued our work, learning some valuable lessons about paediatric care, as well as the value of our limited resources to a community with reduced health care opportunities. In addition to our general health checks, some of the team also provided excellent oral and hand hygiene and baby washing education sessions for all ages. We are finding the work quite liberating. Together we are battling the heat, different emotions, varied health issues coming to our door, and the challenging opportunities to provide some treatment for these beautiful Cambodian people.

On Wednesday night we had our final group dinner. Here we presented our in-country partner, Linda, with her first ever bunch of flowers, and all of the interpreters with a group photo of our entire team from Australia Day.

Day 19
With some of the money fundraised within the team, we were able to provide the organisation with a new fridge, medicine cabinet, various medical equipment, 30 tetanus and 3 rabies vaccinations, and money to fund transportation of sick children to the hospital. The happiness of all the staff and community was overwhelming for all of us. We were also been able to finalise our donations and sponsorships to various organisations after speaking with founders and directors earlier this week.

We all got to enjoy our last night out in Phnom Penh. We savoured our last taste of traditional Khmer food, and many ventured to the local theme park for some fun!

Day 20

The final day was bitter sweet. Many of us left for home, with the exception of a few adventurers. However, none of us are quite ready to leave this amazing country and our amazing new friends! All of the interpreters woke up bright and early to give the most heart-warming send off - right up to the entry of the airport! After this experience we are all heading home feeling proud and with a sense of achievement for making an impact on the lives of so many deserving people.

WE WILL MISS YOU CAMBODIA!

Update from Newcastle Uni students in Cambodia

COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: University of Newcastle Nursing Placement
WRITTEN BY: Justine Nicholson and Nikki Smith

After a long hard week last week we all enjoyed a weekend relaxing and going on tours and of course doing some shopping. It was back to work on Monday though, we were eager to continue the health checks on the children at the school.

During the afternoon we needed to collect the data and put it into the database the school had provided for us to analyse. We all enjoyed the afternoon sitting around the pool and entering data for a few hours (Cambodian time). Not all the data was able to be entered in one go as we had already seen over 800 students, but we planned to finish it the following day as we only had one more class to visit.

Tuesday was our last day at the school. It was bitter sweet. Our last class were kindergarten, the kids of which were incredibly cute, sweet and trusting. After this we enjoyed walking around and playing with the children and discovering more places around the school. During the afternoon we were able to enter the rest of the data and enjoy a dinner out together at a Japanese buffet (with a Cambodian twist!). This dinner has left quite an impression on us all and we would love to find them in Australia.

On Wednesday we were able to enjoy a day off to regroup and relax before going to the Russian hospital on Thursday. We had a tour around the hospital which really made us appreciate the health care system we have at home. In saying this, it was also good to see the difference between the health care systems and even be slightly surprised at their level of cleanliness and professionalism. After this we were privileged enough to visit the Technical School of Medical Science which is one of our interpreters previous schools. We got to meet current students and teachers to discuss the difference between education in Cambodia and Australia.

Tomorrow we are all very excited to be heading to Siem Reap for our long weekend to enjoy the historical sight of Angkor Wat and its surroundings.

This week has been much more relaxed but we are all still learning and developing skills and knowledge of health abroad everyday, enjoying the experiences of Cambodia.

5 adventures in India not to be missed

COUNTRY: India
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: Teaching
WRITTEN BY: Jasmine Horrocks, Newcastle University

India has been a unique and hectic but completely fascinating country to explore. From New Delhi’s bustling streets to the ancient pink buildings of Jaipur, India has something for everyone to enjoy. Here are five adventures/experiences you don't want to miss:

1. An auto-rickshaw ride

Auto-rickshaws seem to be the life blood of Delhi and are easily spotted in traffic by their distinctive yellow cab covers. These vehicles weave in and out of the congested streets with seeming ease, often driving on the bicycle paths along the sides of the road in order to avoid the chaotic traffic. We have taken many rides in these wonderful vehicles and even once squashed four people into one (normally autos take two to three people) which was hilariously fun!

2. Getting inked with henna

This is a top pick for everyone, especially girls. At the learning centre where we are volunteering, the older girls spent an afternoon drawing beautiful patterns, flowers and swirls on our hands in henna, which was so special.

3. Delving into foodie paradise

Dehli really is heaven for those that appreciate a variety of flavours. The range of spices, curries, breads and sweets is quite simply phenomenal! Our favourite dish so far has been chole bhature, which consists of puffed up fried bread and a spicy chick pea dipping sauce, eaten with your hands, of course.

4. A trip to Jaipur

Outside of Delhi there are two essential adventures in undertake. Firstly a trip to Jaipur is a must; its scenery, local ambience and spectacular Moghul architecture is dazzling. The highlights of this city include its famous pink buildings, elephants travelling along the streets, fantastic market shopping and of course the spectacular Amber fort sitting against a dramatic mountain backdrop.

5. The Taj Mahal

Secondly- but most importantly- an adventure to the Taj Mahal would be the top of any traveller’s itinerary in India. There’s no mistaking why. Seeing the Taj Mahal in reality is truly breathtaking and is made even better when seen while wearing saris too! If you only do one thing out of my 5 must do's- make it this one. (I'd recommend doing all five though!)

An emotional first week in Cambodia for Newcastle students

COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: University of Newcastle Nursing Placement
WRITTEN BY: Justine Nicholson and Nikki Smith

What an adventure it has been so far! We arrived safely in Phnom Penh on the night of January 11. Straight to the hotel and I think we were all so tired that none of us realised that Cambodia is left hand drive and we got on the bus on the right side!

We woke up a little jet lagged and headed out for our day trip at 8:30am. We had the pleasure of doing the first part of our tour on a cyclo, which is literally a chair on wheels in front of a bicycle. Being able to look around and take in the city this way was amazing. We went to the palace (right where the king actually lives) and learnt all about Cambodia's past governments and leadership. We went to the national museum and were able to observe the art, Buddha statues and historical items. It was very enlightening to learn about the beliefs within Cambodia's culture.

After this we hopped on a bus and went to lunch at the Friends Restaurant that supports children and adults living on the street by teaching them skills in hospitality. 40 minutes away were the Killing Fields. I don't think any of us were prepared for what we were about to see! There was a building that was full of bones and skulls, weapons and some clothing in glass boxes. The Fields were a shocking experience, as was the Genocide Museum. This was in the main city of Phnom Penh at a place that used to be a school which was turned into a jail during the Khmer Rouge. A lot of the shock came from the fact that we were able to walk straight into rooms used in torture and captivity. A positive was meeting a survivor and showing our respects to him, all getting photos with this incredible man and purchasing his book to understand his story.

The next day was much quieter. We visited the school and refuge to see where we would be operating for the next 5 sessions. The school is incredible. Its founder and manager are inspiring for the work they do here for struggling families and orphaned children of the garbage tip workers here in Cambodia. The school operates for 2 large sessions a day, with classes as large as 80 students! The children are eager to meet us, as we are them, and we can't wait to get started tomorrow! The refuge is unique and an imperative support for children attending the school. It provides a safe sleeping place and home environment, supported by their lessons and regular meal they receive during school days. The organisation is truly incredible. To end the day we had a lesson in the local language, Khmer, and hit the pillow early to rest up for the big day ahead.

At the school we really hit the ground running. Making do with what we had available to us, we set up a makeshift clinic that consisted of several nursing stations. After only an hour to set up the students started filing in. The excitement on their faces as they came through was unbelievable and filled us all with pride for the work we were yet to do.

The last three days has been full on with many emotions ranging from heartbreak, joy and the frustration that comes with working in a low resource environment. But our amazing team have pulled together to make the most of the resources we had. Doing health checks on children, we are finding that there are a lot of the similar problems in this community. Some of the conditions we have commonly encountered are head lice, terrible dental standards, some minor wounds and fungal infections and a lot of dehydration, dietary and bowel issues. This hands-on experience makes us all appreciate the luxuries we take for granted back home such as sanitation and basic health care.

Cambodia we will miss you! Post-travel blues for Newcastle nurses

COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: Nursing
WRITTEN BY: Natalie Payne

I have the post travel blues!

3 weeks of health promotion in Phnom Penh was without a doubt the best decision I have ever made. The trip had its frustrations and challenges and I missed home like crazy around week two, but now I am missing Cambodia so much! All the smiling faces we met have forever touched my heart.

The last week was spent at Riverkids and it was incredible. Our translators were nursing and medical students which made the assessments a little easier than the previous two schools. Adults from the community came in droves to see us, I guess word spread quickly about us, and while we couldn't address most of their specific complaints it was important for them to be heard and showed that people care. A quote from Dr Hamlin that kept me in check was "Remember that LOVE is better than any medicine, just hold a hand and encourage is better than any drugs."

Overall the general health and wellbeing of the children at the three schools we visited was better than we had expected. There were many common colds, however January is Cambodia's winter, even though it was quite warm for us on some days. Dehydration in the children was apparent in the afternoons and it was agreed that fundraised money should go towards providing water access to each classroom. This was completed in the first school before we departed Phnom Penh and we were able to visit the school one last time to see the new instalment of the water systems in place and say our final goodbyes to the children and school we had spent the most time at.

Saying goodbye to Cambodia and its beautiful people who made us feel so welcomed has been incredibly hard. A piece of our hearts will remain in Cambodia and we will never be the same- in the best way possible. I would like to say a huge thank you to Carol and Danielle, our supervisors, for putting up with all of us and supporting us through this massive learning experience! Also a big thank you to Linda, our in country contact, who was fantastic! I feel so blessed to have been a part of an amazing team of student nurses! We were like a dysfunctional family at times, but will forever be a part of each others lives from the memories that were made on this trip!

Cambodia: A city of contrasts

COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: Nursing
WRITTEN BY: Natalie Payne

A City of Contrasts.

Our first week in Phnom Penh was filled with contrasting emotions; excitement, apprehension, happy, sad and sometimes too exhausted to tell the difference between them all. Our first day at PIO school was amazing. So many smiling children! We were thrown in the deep end straight away and asked to do our education plans for the kindergarten class which held 128 children and one teacher! Yes, you read that right, 128 kids! We made fools of ourselves singing, playing the ukulele and performing a puppet show, teaching the kids to brush their teeth and wash their hands. They sang for us too, well more like screamed at the top of their lungs, ive heard jumbo jets quieter!
By the end of the day we had seen 225 children and were impressed and surprised at the overall good health considering the disparity of living conditions.
A visit to S21 and the killing fields gave us a somber insight of the trauma the Cambodian people have experienced. Cocktails, massages, markets and some time spent away from Phnom Penh is a much needed break for these hard working nursing students!