July 14 Konicek Events
Leanne was still out this morning in Kampong Speu with her family. Mike and I took a ride along the river and had breakfast at the Cambodiana, a hotel where we ate many meals with the kids in 1991. It has changed with the times and gotten quite “hoity toity” with a glamorous lobby and grounds and a 20$ breakfast buffet. We used to pay several dollars in the afternoons and take the kids swimming for something to do to beat the heat. Heat is still there, pool has been upgraded with a fountain and slide!
I had been conversing over the internet before we came with Pam, a nurse from the UK who has been here since 1997, first as a volunteer, and now as the head of a clinic for patients with disabilities. Her primary responsibility is for those with leprosy. She came by the hotel for lunch and Mike and I chatted with her about Cambodia, healthcare, etc for several hours. I rode with her out to the facility that is sponsored by the Veteran’s Administration of America (they took off the word Vietnam as it did not sit too well with the locals) The clinic had about 45 residents living there receiving treatment both medical and physical therapy. Conditions were clean but simple. I left some of your donations there to buy rolling commodes so that patients with limb deformities could get up out of bed rather than using bedpans – and you thought the funds were only going for rice? I learned a lot about how things work here in terms of the government and charitable organizations from overseas. Pam is doing a terrific job with what she has and is even using standardized terminology (ICF) to report her patient outcomes!
I returned at 5pm to find that Leanne and her family had returned at about 2:30. Leanne had a fever and some GI symptoms so did not enjoy the visit as much as she could have. Her sister gave her some clothes from her shop in the market. Mike said that the final goodbye was quite tearful and prolonged. Leanne has now had some Tylenol and a good nap and seems to be better. We organized our Cambodian treasures and are ready to leave in the morning for Angkor Wat. Lots to think about in terms of continuing contact with her family. Overall, she had a good visit and was glad to be able to spend time with them on her own.
Leanne was still out this morning in Kampong Speu with her family. Mike and I took a ride along the river and had breakfast at the Cambodiana, a hotel where we ate many meals with the kids in 1991. It has changed with the times and gotten quite “hoity toity” with a glamorous lobby and grounds and a 20$ breakfast buffet. We used to pay several dollars in the afternoons and take the kids swimming for something to do to beat the heat. Heat is still there, pool has been upgraded with a fountain and slide!
I had been conversing over the internet before we came with Pam, a nurse from the UK who has been here since 1997, first as a volunteer, and now as the head of a clinic for patients with disabilities. Her primary responsibility is for those with leprosy. She came by the hotel for lunch and Mike and I chatted with her about Cambodia, healthcare, etc for several hours. I rode with her out to the facility that is sponsored by the Veteran’s Administration of America (they took off the word Vietnam as it did not sit too well with the locals) The clinic had about 45 residents living there receiving treatment both medical and physical therapy. Conditions were clean but simple. I left some of your donations there to buy rolling commodes so that patients with limb deformities could get up out of bed rather than using bedpans – and you thought the funds were only going for rice? I learned a lot about how things work here in terms of the government and charitable organizations from overseas. Pam is doing a terrific job with what she has and is even using standardized terminology (ICF) to report her patient outcomes!
I returned at 5pm to find that Leanne and her family had returned at about 2:30. Leanne had a fever and some GI symptoms so did not enjoy the visit as much as she could have. Her sister gave her some clothes from her shop in the market. Mike said that the final goodbye was quite tearful and prolonged. Leanne has now had some Tylenol and a good nap and seems to be better. We organized our Cambodian treasures and are ready to leave in the morning for Angkor Wat. Lots to think about in terms of continuing contact with her family. Overall, she had a good visit and was glad to be able to spend time with them on her own.
Photos: Leanne & her family. Sister and brother-in-law. Saying goodbye to Khmer Mom and family.
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