February 1, 2010
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cambodia, week 1
So much has happened in the last 7 days.. I don't know where to begin.
learning the healthcare system; riding a tuk tuk to work (with lots of smog and dirt all up in my face); bargaining on anything and everything; teaching nursing students; assessing patients; translating between english and khmer; trying to integrate change through tangible ways; facing human rights injustice daily; understanding the stigma of infectious diseases; learning how to combat infectious diseases with minimal supplies (no gloves, no soap at sinks); visiting community health centers; meeting young people with TB and/or AIDS; encountering extreme poverty with my own eyes; feeling completely helpless; seeing young babies malnourished just like in textbooks; giving away a few bars of soap and some change; recognizing poverty is a deadly cycle of no money=> no food => immuno suppression (weak bodies) => easier transmission of disease => no ability to work => no money => no food... etc; brainstorming on how to alleviate poverty with a corrupt government ; struggling with how to respond to begging street children, elderly, and mothers; attempting to understand how and why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer...
and how does God wants us to play a part in this? I don't know. Lord help me.
Comments (4)
Sophie,
Have you ever walked by the words inscribed on the walls in the main tower building?
It says "What starts here, changes the world."
You are definitely carrying that out. Small changes are what leads way to larger ones. I'm thoroughly inspired as I'm sitting here on the other side of the country writing a paper about a psychiatric case study. Makes me realize I gotta keep going and get through with this school crap so I can get on with the more important things in the real world. To make a difference like you. Thanks for sharing your story.
Take care,
Julie
^oops typo [other side of the world]
Soapie,
You are amazing. Thank you for sharing your word. You are providing a voice to the voiceless and sharing an experience that many of us will never be able to go through.
I guess the question is: What can I do to help?
Take care.
how long are you there for?
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