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Cambodia:Phnom Penh - July 28 to August 1, 2010 It is with great pleasure and honor that I announce the results from the international project in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 28 July - 1 August. We were able to provide new smiles for 65 people in need from the largest city in Cambodia. It was a partnership project with Operation Smile Vietnam, with four countries represented on the team. The Ministers of Health of both Vietnam and Cambodia were present for the post-operative check up and were pleased with the excellent results! Throughout the project there were stories that warmed the hearts of the volunteers, though there was one patient who I will never forget. His name was Chorn and he had an unrepaired unilateral cleft lip at the age of 4. Chorn traveled 5 hours to receive surgery and was supported by his aunt, father and grandmother. He was a fun child who loved to play with the Mr. Potato Head toys sent from Operation Smile headquarters. When he came out of surgery, I happened to be in the recovery room with his father. The smile on his father’s face as he held his son was remarkable and heart-warming. In the post-operative ward, his family was all smiles and were some of the most grateful people that I have ever met. I would like to recognise the volunteers who made this project possible. With their dedication and hard work, we were able to change many lives and provide hope for those who still need our help. I also thank Hanh, Duc, and Operation Smile Vietnam for providing so many volunteers as well as their hard-work and commitment to Operation Smile. Additionally, I thank Dr. Theavy, Mr. Chan, and Operation Smile Cambodia for their dedication and volunteers. Mission Images: (Click to enlarge) Sihanoukville - June 16 to June 21, 2010 It is with great pleasure that I announce the success of our medical project aboard the US Navy's hospital ship, the USNS Mercy, to Sihanoukville, Cambodia, that took place from 16-21 June. Over the course of six days, a diverse team from Cambodia, Ireland, the UK, the Philippines, Italy, the US and Vietnam provided free medical evaluations for 142 patients and performed surgery for 93 of them. This was our third collaboration with the US Navy in Asia and we are part an ongoing Pacific Partnership 2010 – we will work with the Navy again in Timor-Leste in August. This project would not have had it’s successes without the Navy and the other NGOs on board supporting our work. Through great communication between the Operation Smile team and its leaders we were able to have a near flawless working relationship with the Navy medical personnel and they look forward to us coming back. Enough gratitude cannot be giving to the Navy team who welcomed us aboard the Mercy and adjusted to our proejct model of success. Lastly, this proejct would not have happened without the leadership and tireless efforts of Operation Smile Cambodia. Led by the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Chan Kok Choy and supported by Medical Director Dr. Mok Theavy and programmatic leader Kim Eng Vong, Operation Smile Cambodia truly shined during this mission. With Kim on land coordinating the patients, and Dr. Theavy on board leading the medical team, this project was smooth as you could make it. This was the 2nd project for Operation Smile Cambodia in a two-month period, and they will follow it up with a project this month in Phnom Penh. Operation Smile Cambodia should be considered a leader for Operation Smile across the board. Thanks to the staff and board of Operation Smile Cambodia. We look forward to our next project with the U.S. Navy aboard the USNS Mercy in Timor-Leste and for strengthening this partnership for years to come. Mission Images: (Click to enlarge) Pursat - May 16 to May 23, 2010 During Operation Smile’s second Cambodia/Singapore Friendship Medical Project, 208 patients were screened, and the medical volunteer team created 110 new smiles. 8-month-old Pidor was born with a cleft lip. On screening day, her 19-year-old mother and 24-year-old father brought her to the Operation Smile project site at Sampov Meas, Pursat’s provincial hospital where the medical project was held. They had come from Banteay Meanchey province which is about 180 km away from Pursat. Her parents farm for a living, but also peddle petrol and some drinks to passing drivers. They live a very hard life earning about 5,000 riels a day (about 80p in £ Sterling). Pidor’s mother told us that she had earlier sought help from a local hospital in Siem Reap, but was told that Pidor’s cleft was too wide and difficult for local surgeons to mend. When the couple heard the news about Operation Smile’s Pursat medical project over the TV, they borrowed US$50 from a local organisation in their home province to cover living and travel expenses. Days before the project started, they stayed temporarily with Pidor’s paternal grandmother who lives with relatives in Pursat, close to the hospital. Though they had to sleep on the wooden platform underneath the stilted hut, they were glad to have a roof over their heads - a place to hide from the withering sun. Pidor was screened and received surgery the next day. Her parents were very grateful and said they never thought this day would come when their daughter would receive help. Pidor’s mother dressed her in her finest outfit before they waved goodbye to us and made their way back to their village. We were all touched by the young parents and their little girl and we were glad to have made that change in their lives. The partner hospital was the Sampov Meas hospital, which was situated at the heart of the Pursat province. The Director of the hospital kindly provided us the whole Operating Room/Emergency block for the medical project. They were happy to help us with the setting up of the site and tents for screening. Most of the patients came from the surrounding areas of Pursat. The team was comprised of mostly Cambodian and Singaporean volunteers, together with three fabulous Filipinos (Jicz, Dan and Kathy) and a U.S. pediatrician from Cincinnati (Dr. Arash Babaoff). Dr Arash was especially kind and supportive to our new post-op nurses and was a wonderful mentor. We also had a very strong group of medical students from Phnom Penh who were crucial in helping us organise the patients and their meals, and most importantly, in translation. Our primary corporate sponsor (we call them our “Medical Mission Partner”), Mr Bean, provided more than just funding – they sent seven non-medical volunteers, who provided innumerable support during the medical mission. We also had one non-medical volunteer from our support corporate sponsor - Blue Singapore. Mr Bean also sent many gifts – boxes of clothes, bags and toys, which were given away to the patients. Although the climate was hot and humid, the enthusiasm of the team kept everything “cool.” This was the second Cambodia - Singapore Friendship Medical Mission and, as always, we were moved by the renowned Khmer hospitality. Best wishes. - Rachel Woon, Assistant Manager for Programs and Volunteers, Operation Smile Singapore Mission Images: (Click to enlarge) Phnom Penh - March 12 to March 19, 2010 It is with great pleasure that I announce the success of the International Mission to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our diverse team came from all parts of the world, including Australia, Bolivia, Sweden, Norway, the UK, the Philippines, India, Canada, and the United States. We felt privileged and honored to have such a great team that worked together to help the children of Cambodia. The team screened 232 patients and performed 108 surgeries. This past Monday we had 77 patients return for a post-op checkup and the results have been wonderful! I would like to thank Operation Smile Cambodia, Operation Smile Australia, and the Operation Smile Cambodia Board who were all very generous with their time and energy. Without their help, this mission would not have been possible. The Lions Club of Australia also provided medication and bedding for many of the patients, which was greatly appreciated. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank the volunteers who made this mission a great success. They did a truly wonderful job. Have a great day everyone! Warm Regards, - James, Lucas, and Kim – Program Coordinators Mission Images: (Click to enlarge)
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