Day 3

Jumbriasua,

Today marks the third day in Phnom Penh and I met with the NGO RACHA to discuss internship possibilities.  I feel incredibly bad because my eyes were glazing over during a large portion of the introductions. Over the next few days I will be re-introducing myself and learn more about the different projects RACHA is currently working on. The departments I am most excited to learn more about include infectious disease, safe motherhood, and health communication.

Yay for possibilities! 

May 16, 2012 – Day 2 in Cambodia

Well, today is day number two in the beautiful city of Phnom Penh. Since coming here, I have noticed a lot of similarities between Phnom Penh and Hyderabad, India. First, there is a large poverty gap between the rich and the very poor. The ratio of Lexus and Toyota vehicles to bicycles is astonishing for a developing country. Second, the best way to tour the city is not by nice motorcar, but by tuk tuk/rickshaws. Although the drivers try to take advantage of my recently arrived status, the majority of tuk tuk drivers are more than willing to barter down. Third, the food here is delicious and the portion size is ginormous. The host mother does not speak any English, but she makes amazing dishes and her plating skills are incredible.

Today Tessa, Rachel, and I met with RACHA to discuss possible programs to intern in and toured the different departments. As I learned about the many programs RACHA is implementing throughout Cambodia, I was somewhat overwhelmed. The individuals who work here are doing so much good, and clearly are passionate about the projects they are working on. I did not pick a specific department to work with because there was so much information to digest and contemplate. The one thing I can say is that this organization has created a lot of positive change in Cambodia. I am incredibly honored to be interning with this organization.

P.S. The cockroach welcoming party continued on today. For some reason, the cockroaches love to visit me while I am brushing my teeth. Thankfully Tessa was here and I did not have to take my turn to bat during cockroach baseball. I have never laughed so hard. Perhaps I will finally be able to kill spiders when I get home. None of them compare to the cockroaches here.

Seriously, why am I the only one that spots them? Perhaps that is my secret ability and my end goal is to eradicate cockroaches off the face of the planet. I will have to brainstorm a cool superhero name....

-M 

Jumbriasua Cambodia!

After over 24 hours of sitting in close quarters and smelling questionable scents on the airplane, I have made it to Phnom Penh! I am exhausted but incredibly excited to be here. Rachel, Beau, and Rosemary came to the airport to pick me up and I was definitely excited to seem them, but more importantly my new bed!

The apartment Rachel, Tessa, and I are staying at is quite nice. As you exit the vehicle, the spiral staircase that leads up to the apartment immediately draws you in. Yes, it may be narrow, slippery, and questionable but it makes one feel as if though she or he is living in a castle. Once you are at the top of the staircase, you open the door and enter Rachel’s room. Rachel’s room is nicely decorated with a large bed in the top right corner, wooden shelves to the right, and holes at the top of the wall to allow for air and small creatures to enter the apartment.

Towards the left of Rachel’s room is a hallway, which leads to my and Tessa’s room. Not quite as large as Rachel’s, but the room has two beds, a small rack for clothes, and a lovely fan whose air is a blessing everyday. My room shares a similar decoration with Rachel’s in which there are holes at the very top of the concrete walls. Not only does this allow creatures that enter Rachel’s room to visit Tessa and me, but it also allows us to speak to each other without moving from one’s bed.

 As you exit our room and turn to the right, there you will see the watering hole and the bathroom. For a developing country, the bathroom exceeds expectations. Yes, the toilet does not flush, but at least it is a toilet and you can wash down toilet paper. The shower does not have hot water, but the cold water feels amazing after a day of soaking in humid air and my own sweat. Seriously, it is so humid here that a crouton would turn into a moist piece of bread in 2 seconds.

Well, that concludes the tour of my living quarters for the next few months. I am so excited to be here and I can tell the creatures of Cambodia are happy I am here too. Today a lovely cockroach the size of a Milano cookie decided to greet Rachel and I. Boy, I am going to love it here. Thank you Mr. Cockroach for visiting me as I brushed my teeth. I apologize for having to sweep you off the front porch, but you are not cute or cuddly.

-M

P.S. Although this post may come off with sarcasm, the apartment is incredibly nice given the circumstances and the host family members are gems. I think I am going to like it here. J

Illustrator

We finally found an illustrator!!! After months of emailing and calling, Julie and I found an illustrator who is willing to work on the picture book for FREE. Her name is Diana Evans and she does incredible work.

Here is a sample of what the hysterectomy educational picture book will look like. It should be completed in 2 weeks! I cannot wait to see the finished product!

Painting

Today Seth, Casey, Drew, and I painted murals for a disability school in Secunderabad.

Here is Seth posing with his work (the green patches of color).

On this wall we drew fruits, numbers, and shapes.

It was nice to have a break from health education, but I still look forward to teaching the women about the menstruation cycle tomorrow.

SAPID

A few months ago the HELP International team was introduced to the NGO known as SAPID/HEAL. This organization is run by 6 incredible women: Mira, Urmi, Jody, Mary, Bindu, and Vacenta. These women work primarily in the slums located outside of Balaji Nagar. Their main goal is to implement programs to help improve the quality of life among the poorest of India.

One of the programs that I have the opportunity to be involved in is the women's health education classes. Many of the women have never been to a formal school. As a result, many do not know the basics of health education. For instance, a large portion of the women that attended the health education classes did not know that cramps were normal! Overall, the classes have been very successful and the women continue to attend regularly. However, I must say that there were several large hurdles that Julie and I encountered. One of the hurdles is that women's health is a taboo subject here in India. It took several classes before the women felt comfortable enough to share personal experiences and ask questions. I am excited to see how the women's health group develops over the next few weeks.

This is Bindu, my favorite SAPID worker.

• She has a heart that is 65% damaged.
• She lost her husband 3 years ago to a brain embolism.
• She works 6x's a week.
• She works from 9 to 6.
• She never complains.
• She has 2 children.
• She wakes up every morning to clean her house before she goes to work.
• She stays up late cooking for her family.
• She says she is a "body builder"
• She planned and arranged her son's wedding by herself!
• She is one AMAZING person.

Poster Release

Success! The hysterectomy awareness poster is officially being released in the district of Nizamabad. Love it.