Eggroll Adventures: Community Scorecard

This week Tessa, Rachel, and I went to Prey Veng to participate in a Community Scorecard activity with RACHA. Community Scorecard is a program run by RACHA that creates an open discussion between health clinic staff and community members in order to improve the health system. The first day, I visited the health clinic to watch the health clinic staff evaluate themselves in 5 different areas. These ratings would then be presented during a joint meeting with the health clinic staff, RACHA, and representatives of the community.

The next day, we piled into a vehicle and drove out to the primary school that the meeting was being held at. At this meeting, the community members shared their rating of the health clinic, listened to the health clinic staff, identified barriers within the health clinic and in the community, and created an action plan to overcome the selected barriers. Although this meeting was in Khmer, it truly was fascinating to see the community and health center staff work together to improve how health is delivered. The meeting lasted about 4 hours and was very informative. Following the meeting, we discussed ways to improve the meetings

The most noteworthy part of the day was the trip back to the RACHA office. In order to get to the school, the car had to drive over an unleveled dirt road. Well during the 4-hour meeting, nature decided to make it rain. Now, when it rains here...it pours. The dirt road turned into mud and parts of the road became almost undriveable. There were instances where the car would slide and be inches away from falling in the ditch. Luckily we were traveling with brave men from RACHA who got out of the car in their suits to push the car and prevent it from falling in the ditch. It was a rough hour long ride, but it was well worth it to participate in the meeting. Thank you Pirom! You truly are a lifesaver!

Posted below are some pictures from the meeting and harrowing drive. :)