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| Valuing Life clinic a midwife and student examine a new baby |
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| Richard and Sopheap |
Sadly I have to report that there is still 'trouble at t'mill' in Cambodia the border issues between Cambodia and Thailand over ownership of Preah Vihear Temples is not resolving many hundreds of people from villages on both sides have had to evacuate their homes after enduring artillery fire and worse.
Several of my fellow volunteers posted in the area have now been evacuated to Siem Reap for their safety one of them Wendy a nurse advisor in Anlong Veng recently wrote a very moving article for our VSO magazine on the impact of the fighting on the people of her little town. Anlong Veng was previously a Khmer Rouge stronghold the home of Ta Mok and the cremation site of Pol Pot She described the fear and resignation of the people as they watched the armoured vehicles pour into the town and as the fighting grew worse evacuate their homes and board up their businesses.
Many had to stay in camps with no sanitation facilities fresh water etc a terrible situation indeed and very tough for those volunteers who live in these communities their sense of abandoning the people acute indeed lets hope that the politicians on both sides reach a peaceful settlement the people deserve nothing less.
On a lighter note I along with two other pals attended a friend's engagement blessing the happy couple Richard and Sopheap were the centre of attention but unbeknown to me I had to take on an active role as Richard's Aunt in the ceremony it was a very happy and colourful occasion see photo's attached.
Last Saturday I sang with Bella Voce Community choir in our spring concert it went really well and was attended by over 300 people including 6 of my pals who came to support me.
On Thursday Cambodia celebrates International Midwives day and CMA is co hosting with the Ministry of Health a big conference attended by the Prime Ministers wife Lok Chumteav Kittiprittbandit Bun Rany HunSen. This is a very big day for CMA and should help to raise the profile of midwives in Cambodia and the importance of their role in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. I have helped the President of CMA write her presentation so fingers crossed that it will go well if not OI may well be sent home on the next plane!.Will make a full report next time.
Valuing Life Clinic I am loving going to help at the clinic and am pleased to report that Jinnie the 1.2 kg baby against all odds is doing well and is now 2kgs there are several poorly pregnant ladies who attend and all are doing well thanks to the care and kindness they get from the staff there.Thanks to all at home who have contributed to my work there by sending baby/toddler clothes and equipment which is being delivered by David when he visits in June.
Finally the temperature is rising and how!!It's well into the 90's now and when its windy it feels like a blast from an oven but on the plus side the mango season is at its height and the mango's are just dripping from the trees as are the jack fruit which are being sold on almost every street corner.
Please note all pictures appearing in the blog are with the kind permission of the subjects
Lea Howie
Kath
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| The happy couple me as Aunty and Chris in background was Richard's mother(sorry about the quality) |
