Snake Bites & Good Samaritans

The days pass by so quickly as our time here in Cambodia is winding down. We finally have time to catch another swift breath & write a bit more for you all. Even with Matt & Riva’s arrival (and fairly quick departure), our team barely had time to pause. Meeting Richard Fitoussi in person was one highlight for Olivia and most of our team members who have only conversed via email & Skype. It was a genuine pleasure speaking with him and learning of his various travels and passions in life. At first encounter, he has a quiet, charismatic presence but as conversations flow, a domineering side emerges. He is a well read, well spoken, subtly humorous, energetic and an altogether positive person to be around. We are happy to be working with such an ambitious and inspiring individual.

Mr. Brian Janes taught a couple crash courses of first aid at the Volunteer Development Poverty Children’s School with the gracious support of Miss Gwen Hobbs. It was an intriguing course for the kids, which covered very basic first aid techniques [like choking, stopping bleeding, getting stung by insects and a classroom favorite, SNAKE BITES]! Differences in respective cultures were exchanged as Brian helped them understand the western way of medical response and how it can benefit them all to learn the basics. The children shared with him the challenges they have helping people in their community when they get hurt. The “Good Samaritan Law,” doesn’t really exist here in Cambodia and there are even greater fears of helping severely injured [bleeding] patients in regards to HIV, AIDS and other blood born diseases. People are apprehensive in helping others when they need medical help, despite this, Brian was successful in sharing ways the kids could help without putting themselves in harms way. One thing notable was that the children were very interested in health related illness and conveyed the desire to learn more. Perhaps this is something we can help plan for sometime down the road. Ideas anyone?

Minutes after landing Riva and Matt were ready to fully engage the people, sites and genuine beauty surging within the landscape of Siem Reap. We got them checked into the Angkor Green Guesthouse (a local favorite of ours: www.angkorgreen.com) and took them on a quick tour of the area. We had a meeting afterwards to get them fully prepared for the rest of the week. Their excitement and energy was rejuvenating. One of the first things we tackled was taking them out to the Landmine Museum. Monday was a Holiday, a day of remembrance for the Khmer, Victory Over Genocide Day. We hoped to give a good tour of the Landmine Museum and Facility to share with Matt & Riva our inspiration for helping the people within Cambodia. We had quite the entourage of tuk tuk’s…Richard Fitoussi, Lisa McCoy, Bill Morse, Brian & Gwen and Matt & Riva joined us for a dusty, colorful, full of electric beauty ride through the countryside to the Cambodia Landmine Museum. Upon arrival everyone there was busy preparing for the ceremony on Thursday. Our team was able to get a good look at the facility and later met up with Richard, Akira, Hourt and the rest of their team to put the finishing touches on the plans for the ceremony.

While Asad continued to show Matt & Riva various projects, Brian & Gwen also kept busy. Brian designed a recycling and compost area for the museum and later in the week teamed up with Lisa and Gwen to construct a new clothing line for the museum. We can’t express how happy we are to have such a dynamic group on our team! We worked so hard to make good things happen, great job to everyone! Next chapter, the perseverance and dedication of all pays off, we take a small break to visit our good friend Sao’s village, visit some school sites and help Akira & Richard celebrate the museum’s success…