COUNTRY: Cambodia
PROGRAM: UniBreak Groups
PROJECT: Healthcare and Rehabilitation
WRITTEN BY: Teagan Bulman
Well this is it. The final week of our placement in Siem Reap. There is mixed emotions all round the group. None of us really want to leave however much home is calling.
The final 3 days at our centers means the end of an experience none of us will forget. With patients leaving the rehabilitation centre with their new prosthetic limbs, we have been apart of their journey and hardships. We have been there from their first steps until they walk out of the gate. I believe we have made an impact in their lives. It is the little things that count in life. Our simple interest in their stories is enough but we went further. Teaching them the basics of exercise, filled out hearts and theirs. Saying goodbye to these patients at the rehab centre was sad but we know we have done enough.
At the Angkor Association for the disabled. It was the same situation. The patients asking us to stay for at least 6 months. It wasn't until the final week that we were told these patients stayed longer than they were meant to, just for us. With the knowledge we provided, these patients are continuing with their exercise program. The boxing, the morning stretches before work and afternoon workouts. This information filled us with happiness and success.
The Diabetes Association has a video of the exercises and fitness tests to continue on with. We hope it will continue on. Our last day of work included an outreach diabetes clinic. This included a hectic day but worthwhile day. The people in the villages were willing to learn and participate with us. Leaving them with 3 exercise to help their complaints.
From volleyball and soccer games to karaoke with the translators. They were an entertaining bunch. They worked hard most of the time and knew how to have a good time. Without these translators the trip would not have been a success.
The Final Tally Board!
3 Split Pants
50 Massages
1 TukTuk Stack
1 Broken Bath
1 Broken Key
3 Room Changes
4 Self Inflicted Injuries
60 Mosquito Bites
2 People fallen in love (with a mirror)
1 Karaoke Addiction
1 Sick Day Taken
And...
0 Hospital Visits (hooray!)
What a trip it has been. An experience none of us will forget. When the day came to leave, no one wanted to leave the people we had met.
A massive thank you goes out to Tanya for organizing this trip. Without you this would of never changed anyone's life (theirs and ours). Thank you to Michael for coming with us as our supervisor, Antipodeans Abroad for getting our trip off the ground, Lorraine and Bunlay our in country partners for organizing our placements.
Flying back to Perth, to cold weather came the end of our journey. With only one of us getting stopped in customs, we said our goodbyes to each other until semester two starts.
Choum Reap Lear & Or Kun!
( Goodbye &Thank you!)
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