Volunteer Experience at Angkor Hospital for Children

“I have had the tremendous pleasure to be part of the AHC family for the past two weeks. My experience as a volunteer here, primarily as a consultant to the Laboratory staff, has been exciting, humbling, educational, surprising, and rewarding. I have had the opportunity to trade ideas, practical knowledge, laughter, meals, philosophies, and even a few hugs with the staff and other volunteers. AHC has offered me the opportunity to begin the process of understanding the people of Cambodia through participation in the Home Care visiting program, through attendance at lunch-time lectures, and most importantly, through a multitude of daily interactions with the children themselves. As a volunteer, I was taken care of by AHC who provided me with a place to stay, meals, advice, warm and genuine smiles, and sometimes taxi service! I have made wonderful friends I hope to stay in touch. AHC has become my home away from home, a home I hope to return to as often as possible in coming years. This is an experience worth recommending. Just come with an open heart, an open soul, some cotton clothes, a lot of $1.00 bills, sunscreen, and a curious mind and you will be richly rewarded.”

Karen McHugh, January, 2007

New Dentist Joins AHC Staff

On the behalf of the Medical Department we would like to welcome Dr. Bou Naren, our new dentist at AHC. Dr. Naren was born in Kampng Cham Province, Cambodia and received her Doctor of Dentistry (Chirugie Dentaire) at the Universite Des Sciences de La Sante in Phnom Penh. She is only one of the two female doctors working at AHC. She is bilingual in Khmer (native) and English. Dr. Naren is delighted to work with children of all ages. "All children should take care of their teeth starting from an early age because having good dental health will reduce illness and promote good health throughout their adulthood,” said Dr. Naren.

Government Health Staff Training

From January 3-5, a national workshop was held at AHC to discuss the practical training of Cambodian nursing students in Cambodia. Opening the three-day meeting was His Excellency, Dr. Tep Luon, Director General of Health. AHC has actively cooperated with the Cambodian government for several years in helping to improve nursing students’ education. Since 2003 more than 900 nursing students and more than 100 nursing school teachers have participated in training courses held at AHC.

Also this month, four nurses working at local government Health Centers continued in a training program conducted by AHC in cooperation with FWAB’s Capacity Buidling and Health Education Project (CBHEP). Our aim is to increase the knowledge and skills of these health workers so that they can provide better care for children living in remote areas. Two of the trainees are employed at Cha Chhouk Health Center, and the other two are from Angkor Chum Health Center.

First-Aid Training

More than 20 AHC nursing staff attended first-aid training workshops conducted by the American based organization Northwest Medical Teams. The nurses were able to brush up on their skills and catch up with the latest first-aid information. Plans are already in place for the AHC staff of instructors to pass on their newfound knowledge and to increase the number of first-aid courses the hospital will offer to the community.

Out-Patient Department Renovations

Many thanks to our Italian friends, Fondazione "aiutare i bambini", who generously donated towards much needed renovations for our out-patient department. With their support the renovations are almost complete. The new space will allow for individual consultation rooms for the doctors and new equipment. The ability to have private rooms for examinations and consultations will be a tremendous boost to our patients, particularly for the more than 800 families enrolled in the hospital’s HIV/AIDS clinic.

Visitors to AHC

Each year the number of visitors to Siem Reap continues to increase. More and more of these visitors have heard about the work being done at AHC and are dropping by to see what we do. Among the distinguished guests to visit and tour AHC in January were UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Lady Christina Owen Jones, and Ms. Kathy Stevens, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia

Fundraising Event at the De La Paix Hotel

Annual Hospital Volleyball Tournament

Each year the hospital holds a volleyball tournament. For a hospital staff that works very hard everyday organized events like this give them a chance to blow off some steam as well as build team spirit. Four teams participated this year – a doctor’s team, a nurse’s team, an admin/support staff team, and one team comprised of community members. Once again this year, the nursing department team proved victorious in a close final match with the admin team.

Running for the kids at AHC

Earlier this year, a wonderful artist from England spent time at AHC helping the children in the hospital create paintings. On her return home she told her friend Jon Norris of the hospital and its work. Mr. Norris will be running in the London Marathon on April 22, 2007. He has set up a website for sponsors with all the proceeds going towards our hospital. For more information visit his website at http://www.firstgiving.com/jonnorrisAHC .

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