Speak Out February 2018

Program 2 This was facilitated by Cambodia Vision which is a not-for-profit organization providing annual eye and health care to regional communities in Cambodia. The 2017 mission took place in Pur-sat Province. All equipment and medications are brought from Australia and the mission literally starts with empty rooms in the local hospital. Patients are registered and then directed to the necessary service − eyecare, GPs or our team. Patients wait in line (sometimes for the whole day) for their turn. We were next to the GPs. When it got noisy, we built a soundproof wall of tissues. Our small clinic accommodated a waiting area, examination/medication area, audiometry section (partitioned with paper towels and cardboard boxes), a therapy area for: speech therapy, fitting listening systems, counselling patients and their families and providing communication enhancement strategies. Although we worked long hours each day in humid conditions, it was not arduous. Our team was wonderful and passionate − three La Trobe University students, an Australian science/media graduate, an ex-Cambodian migrant and two Cambodians (a 4th year Medical student and a nurse). We also taught community workers from Battambang about the ear, hearing and testing. In total, we conducted 700 assessments and therapies! It’s easy to remember the patients − the young man who enjoyed listening to music for the first time, the young child who filled his face with stickers, the old lady who gave us blessings or the three ladies in matching clothes. The Cambodian people are warm and friendly and despite the language barrier, we were able to communicate with them through gesture and basic Khmer. These words will linger in our memories: lou, tik-tik, leok dai (hear the beeps, lift your hand)! Personally, I was humbled to meet Ambassador Corcoran, the Australian Ambassador to Cambodia, Madam Sotie Heidt (the wife of the American Ambassador to Cambodia), Her Excellency

Men Sam An, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Relations with National Assembly, Senate and His Excellency Suy Sem, the Minister of Mines and Energy. A highlight was visiting the Palace to meet the King of Cambodia, Preah Karuna Preah Bat Samdach Preah Barimneath Norodom Sihamoni and The Queen Mother, Samdach Preah Mahaksatrey Norodom Monineath Sihanouk. Cambodia is now a fond memory. Whilst these programs are over, the goal continues: to create a world filled with people who have better access to speech therapy. The people and communities we worked with touched our hearts! I thank the following people for making this another successful part of the Cambodia journey. Your efforts are greatly appreciated! Program 1: Staff: Margot Pogos and Kristin Eberman; Elizabeth Chafcouloff and the staff of STC; the staff of CHOICE Cambodia. Students: Donna Beswick, Shanae Bond, Madeleine Burt, Amy Cochran, Alexandra Crea, Anna Victoria El-Khoury, Emily Ellis, Anna Ewen, Ella Mechelen, Sinead O’Donnell. Program 2: Gideon Heine and Ken Lim; from CV: Mr Chek Ming Ly, Ms Thida Yang, Mr Richard Lim OAM and all the volunteers Australian students: Emmy Bull, Julia Lescai and Rachel Woo; Cambodian students/ workers: Young Bros and Seu Sopheatarak.

Chyrisse Heine Board Director

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February 2018 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out