So far, re raising money for the blind woman’s house, we have the approximate equivalent of US$1,000 specifically for this project. This is separate to the other projects I’ve talked about, which I will also update on when they take shape. Anyone interested in adding to the house build, please contact me. If you do … More Quick Fundraise Update
Joe died in his home three weeks ago, unknown to any health service. His family do not know why he died. Joe also did not know why his legs became weak/deformed as a young child. All he could tell me when we met, was that he got a fever and then stopped walking “during Pol … More Where Love and Hate Collide
Wat Opot and Phter Koma have been the tip of the iceberg of our holiday so far. I am traveling with a nursing friend who left Alice Springs a few years ago, who I’ll call Caz and the sister of my neighbour, who I’ll call Kelly. Kelly’s 8yo son “Caleb” is with us so we … More Tourism With a Local Edge
Almost a week ago I returned to Cambodia for another extended stay. In a few weeks I begin my second assignment with Medecins Sans Frontieres, this time in Phnom Penh. Meanwhile a holiday with friends, tripping around the country, is underway. Two nights at Wat Opot Children’s Community was as boisterous as one might expect … More Throwing The Baby Out With The Bathwater
When I determined to work on this blog I did not imagine that the outcome would ever be so positive. My earliest, brief entries to this blog, were nervous and resistant. This was at least in part due to fear of unfair judgment and criticism of both myself and those I wanted to write about. The positive forces … More Art For A Broken Heart
New Zealand’s South Island is a panorama of tiers stretching in a lengthwise direction roughly parallel with the coastline. Most prominent, at least initially, are rows of alpine summits piercing into blue skies or disappearing into woolly clouds. Dizzy heights descend into rolling forests and grassy slopes, which in turn meander into a patchwork … More Good Riddance For 2017!
Christmas is coming and the wealthy world is preparing to spend billions on the event. I thought about this at a recent lawn sale as I pondered on the various Secret Santas and other gifts being sold on, many still sitting in their unopened boxes. Our Christmas money could be so much more worthwhile. Here’s … More Christmas Cows and Crappers
Yesterday I resigned! After eighteen years of owning a permanent position with the same organisation, I bit the bullet. I will soon say goodbye to my salary, superannuation, annual leave, long service leave and an accumulated 34 weeks of sick leave. Those are the benefits I can think of immediately but there are various others, … More Love Your Luck
For thirteen days in Cambodia I was very busy. I visited the MSF project I will be working on from February, a similar public health program as I currently work on here in Australia but with many more issues to contend with. No doubt I will blog on that as and when I become involved. … More Thoughts from Alice Springs
An earlier blog post already talked of my first reunion with Paula and her family. The following Monday her mother had traveled home from Malaysia, where both of Paula’s parents are working as street vendors. I was invited back for a celebratory lunch. Dan drove his tuk tuk with myself and a local nursing friend … More Quick Cambodia Visit: Paula
