2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Victoria Kaelin
Well today we finally got to sleep in! If you consider 8:30 sleeping in that is. However, it was greatly appreciated after several long days in a row. After a pretty laid back morning, Peip took us to the Royal Palace. The palace was closing at 11am and we got there at about 10:25, so we quickly saw as much as we could. They were telling us the history and random facts about everything as we passed by, which was helpful cause there were very few signs and if there was one it was probably in Khami. When we were gathered around one tree listening to Ronnie talk about the uses of the flowers, we just so happened to look up to see them closing the gates and were about to lock them. So we all went running across the courtyard out the gate before they could lock us in the palace.
After our fun at the palace, we went to the villa where all the ex-patriots from the hospital live for lunch. It was nice to spend time with people that you can always understand what they are saying. We had some good American-ish food. We all laugh and joked about our adventures in Cambodia. Then Grace and Katrina asked if we wanted to go to the Russian Market so we were, like sure, why not. We can always shop of course so we took the market by storm again.
Monthly Archives: May 2010
Haiti Update #12
Jen Watters Haiti Blog
Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 8:48am
Bonjour!
Excuse Moi! Sorry that I missed sending out the update last week. These last two weeks have been a little crazy as my time in Haiti is wrapping up! And now I have less than two days left!! It’s quite strange. On one hand I’m really sad to leave, but on the other hand I am definitely looking forward to seeing everyone. I’ve missed you guys!!! And, also sleeping in a real bed with my PILLOW!!!!
I’ve spent the last two weeks continuing to work in Diquini hospital in Carrefour, and there have been lots of changes. One of our big projects for the last two weeks was to help discharge about 40 people from the hospital, many of whom had been living there since the earthquake. After the earthquake they set up tons of huge tents in front of the hospital to help house all of the extra patients, anyone without acute medical needs was moved out there. And then they kind of all just stayed. Our group was the only one who had any records on the people out there, so we were asked to help organize the discharges. Just an example of working here – you kind of have to be a jack of all trades: PT, social worker, discharge planner! Anyway, we were able to work with IOM which is a branch of the UN that helps displaced people and they were able to get most of the patients’ tents and help them return either to their property or to a place nearby with family or friends. It was interesting to see the patients’ reactions. One lady was so excited to leave, she was packed up with all of her things, sitting in a chair ready to go the first day, before we had even organized anything. She had just heard that people were leaving and wanted to go home. I think she was a little upset when we told her that she would have to wait a couple of days before it was her turn. The first day they took about 5 people with all their stuff in a mini-bus (a big van) there was one guy who jumped in the van as soon as it pulled up there and just sat in there several hours, happily waiting until everyone else was loaded up! He wanted to make sure he got a spot on the bus!
“Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue”
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Stephanie Brooks
WEDDING DAY!!! Two people from the church we have been going to in Phnom Penh got married today! We were so lucky to have the opportunity to experience a Cambodian wedding! We all got our hair and makeup done (something that would cost over $100 in the U.S) for $5! It was the ultimate girl time. The wedding was so much different than what we are used to in the U.S.- it is a full day affair (we only went to the ceremony at 9am and the reception at 6pm) and much more elaborate. The bride and groom changed outfits five times, that we saw, so probably over ten times throughout the day. Everything was so colorful, ornate, and BIG! From the dresses to the hairstyles to the food, everything was bright! The bride and groom were both really shy, so their kiss was very quick and they stood about five feet away from each other. The pastor made them kiss again because it wasn’t good enough! So cute and sweet 🙂
Siem Reap Temples, Fried Crickets, and an Elephant Ride
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
form Kim Engholm
We all got up early this morning to catch the bus for a six hour bus ride to Siem Reap Province in northern Cambodia. The ride up was uneventful except for the one quick stop where Chelsea, Emily, and I tried fried crickets. We have pictures to prove it! Once we were settled in our hotel, we had a relaxing lunch at the Blue Pumpkin restaurant. After lunch we made our way to the temples to watch the sunset. We have never seen anything like these temples before. They truly are the Eighth Man Made Wonder of the world. We climbed the mountain in true Asian style– on the back of an elephant!
After the sun set we went to the Temple Club for dinner and to watch Khemi dancers. The group favorite was the coconut dance. All of the costumes were elaborate and beautiful. The dancers twisted and bent their hands and fingers in ways none of us have ever seen before. The dancing was so elegant and graceful.
The next morning was an early wake up at 4:30 so we could see in the sun rise over Angkor Wat (the main Buddhist temple). Angkor Wat is even featured on Cambodia’s flag. Seeing the sun rise in such an enchanted and sacred place gave me chills. I imagined who else in this temple’s 900 year existence has seen that exact same sun rise. Angkor Wat was full of history and stories carved in detail on the walls. The next temple was called the Temples of Bayon (Bion). This one featured smiling Buddha faces and ancient carvings of men. I believe this temple was everyone’s favorite because it just looked happy. I described it as an adults Jungle Gym complete with steep staircases and fallen rock. Ta Prohm was breathtaking with trees growing out of the temples. This was the location for Tomb Raider with Angelina Jolie.
Re-entry is Bittersweet
2010 Pine Ridge Trip
Our Pharmacy group from Pine Ridge arrived back in Nashville last night at about 10:30PM. We were happy to be home, but we came to the realization that we left so much behind. The Lakota people were so welcoming and shared much of their beliefs and health concerns with us when, in reality, we were complete strangers. Despite all the pain of the past the people we encountered taught us the “Lakota way” and trusted that we will help them as much as they helped us during our 10 days in Pine Ridge. “Mitakuye oyas’in”. (translated “All my relations”).
“I have decided to follow Jesus…No turning back, No turning back.”
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Emily Tice
Many people told me that coming on this trip would change my life, but what they did not specifically mention is that these people would forever be imprinted on my heart. Today, after spending a week working in the hospitals and attending church twice, I walked into Wednesday night church being greeted and welcomed as if I had been a member there for years. Worshiping with other Christians across the world has not only reminded me that God is alive and moving in Cambodia, but it has also encouraged me to refocus my life perspective while on this trip and throughout the rest of my life. The Cambodian Christians I have fellowshiped with display so much love, compassion and hospitality, and I am honored to have met them.
One of my neighbors from when I lived in Nashville (Miss Peggy Mueller!) made bracelets for the Cambodian women I would meet on this trip so that they would have something from America. I brought these to church with me tonight and gave them to some of the women I have worked with throughout these couple of days. One was an older woman who spoke little English, but always had a hug and big greeting for me whenever I walked through the church doors (talk about such a great prayer warrior too!). Others were women I have worked with in the hospital and their daughters. All of these women have found the love of Christ and were SO excited to know that fellow believers in America were praying for them (I gave all you supporters a shout out!). They wanted to let you all know that they are praying for you too and that you are all welcome to visit Cambodia when you can 🙂 They really want to meet our families!
The sweet love of a child
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Chelsea Stevens
Well, I just can’t believe we leave in one week from today. This trip has flown by. I am so excited to get home to see all my loved ones that I have missed so much, but at the same time, I am so so sad to leave all the wonderful people I have fallen in love with here. Because sleep was very needed last night, I decided to blog this morning. So I will outline our yesterday for you!
In the morning, Victoria went out on the mobile clinic and the others of us took our posts in the hospital. Emily and I decided to go give blood for the same patient Mrs. Dryden and Victoria gave for yesterday. So we go through all the paper work, and finally make our way to the blood bank. After getting our fingers pricked and waiting for about 10 minutes, the woman who works there comes out and begins speaking in Khmai and shaking her head. We were very very confused, and finally after asking questions to our driver in a few different arraignments of broken English, we found out our hematocrits (pretty much the percent of red blood cells in a draw of blood) were low. So Emily and I are slightly freaking out because we have no clue if something is wrong with us, and no one can understand to tell us!!! Finally, we get out that it was just 2% off the percent they accept. After calling our teachers and realizing that we are a little dehydrated- our fears were gone, but then we were just frustrated! SO FRUSTRATED. We were sitting, pretty much pouting, and thinking- “”Our blood just isnt good enough!”” The doctors at the blood bank were very kind though, and they gave us the units of blood to take back to the patient that they had already in the bank. So we didn’t feel completely worthless!
So much more
2010 Pine Ridge Trip
When I signed up for this trip, I thought it was a “cultural immersion” trip. I thought we would be seeing some new things, participating in some cool things and eventually working on our community health project…But never did I imagine I would have such an amazing spiritual experience! To get to know and understand the Lakota culture is to delve into spirituality completely. You cannot know their culture without opening your mind to a beautiful way of thinking.
Between the talks with a story-telling revered elder, Leonard Littlefinger, and talks and sacred ceremonies with the highly spiritual interpreter/medicine man, Basil Braveheart; these men, along with others in the community, have shown us nothing but open arms and kindness in their quest to educate us. But what they are doing is so much more than education…
“You are Amazing, God”
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Stephanie Brooks
Today I went to a nearby village with the Center of Hope Mobile Clinic. I was awestruck to find houses made of leaves and mud with a dozen or more people living in them. The ground had turned to mud from yesterday’s rainfall, so the piles of trash that had been pushed aside were now embedded in the floors of people’s homes. It is very similar to the slums in the city, but it’s distant location makes it harder to keep supplies stocked. I was immediately aware of the constant struggle to maintain basic needs.
We set up two tables- one for initial screenings and vital signs, where I was, and another for the physician to prescribe and distribute medications. Approximately thirty patients, ranging from ages 6 months to 79 years, were screened and given appropriate medications. I cannot begin to explain their gratitude! Countless hugs and smiles were dispersed 🙂 I was truly humbled that someone who has no money, children to feed, and an illness to bear in those conditions could find the strength to laugh and feel joy. I wanted so bad to do more for them, like bring them food, build them a better home, or simply buy them shoes. I felt so blessed today, though, to have the opportunity to help in the way I feel called and hopefully provide some comfort.
A patient needs blood…
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Keary Dryden
This morning when I walked into the surgical ward to see Victoria who was assigned there today, “Dr. Cornelia” was making rounds and checking on a patient. She turned and said to the group of nurses and doctors that the patient would need blood transfusions and that a donor (or two) was needed. The patient’s only family member was his young daughterand could not donate..I did not realize at first that she was asking someone in the group to volunteer…and it did seem that she was looking right at me! So of course I volunteered and so did Victoria.
What a Day!
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Victoria Kaelin
We started today by going to the Tuol Sleng museum. We took our Tuk Tuk for the first time without the teachers, and we made it there perfectly safe (for all the parents). We watched a short movie about a couple who were held there and then toured the place. It amazed me that people could be so cruel to their own countrymen. These people were beaten for not saying the right thing or worse killed for their past lives. We went Peip there and she showed us around and talked about the history of the place. She was born the day that war started so it was meaningful for her to show us around.
Our family
2010 Pine Ridge Trip
This place is indescribable. The feelings that run through you are unlike any other. In this “circle” world, there is no need for a mask to guard you, no fear of judgment, but rather an acceptance, an understanding, and a warm “blanket” of family.
Part of our family left us today, back to the “square” world, but there are no goodbyes. It’s doksha – see you later. Within a matter of seven days, we formed this close bond and became family. It was as if we were all meant to be here together, a unique blend that really made this trip unlike any other. We all come away from this experience with the memory of each other, what we have learned, and the hope to spread that knowledge in the “square” world.
Thank you for your prayers!
2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
We are back in Nashville! We arrived late last night with two smooth flights. We appreciate all of your prayers and support through this incredible, unforgetable trip to Guatemala City. We will try to get some pictures up so that all of you can see what we have been up to. God bless.
Belmont Nursing University’s Rice Drive
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Emily Tice
Waking up at 5am on our only day off was not exactly what I had in mind this Saturday morning, but what the Lord had in store for us later that day made a few less hours of sleep well worth it. Our team traveled with members of the church and hospital to a village (Oudong village – I probably spelled that wrong) in the mountains about 1 1/2 hours away. This village recently relocated (for reasons I cannot remember) next to an established village, but lives in severe poverty. Here these families make a house out of garbage, straw and anything else they can find, but unfortunately due to the rainy season fastly approaching, these “houses” flood and do not provide adequate shelter during the rain. These people are also without many food supplies and provisions, including birth control, which explains the rapid increase in pregnancies and births throughout the village (no doctors are nearby so a grandmother non-trained midwife delivers the babies in these horrible conditions).
We supplied each family (that’s 180 families) within the village with salt, sugar, sardines, milk, purified water, soy sauce and most importantly rice. This food (depending on the size of the family) will nourish them for 3-4 weeks if not more. How awesome it is to serve such a giving God as ours. He truly amazed me today.
Ahhhhh! (screams from 219 ft above the coffee fields)
2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
Buenos Dias! Today is the day we head back to the states. It is beautiful here this morning after a rainy night. Yesterday was a full day and we arrived back at the seminary late last night. We have met so many wonderful people here in Guatemala and it was sad to say our goodbyes yesterday at the Children’s hospital. One little boy found out that it was our last day there and wanted to sing for Linnea Jordan, a 2nd year PT student, who had been working with him this week. He was shy about it, so he hid behind a curtain. So precious! We were able to see a case study of a patient with Guillen-Barre and were able to give suggestions as well as learn the exercises and treatments they were applying. After many goodbyes to both the patients and the PTs, OTs, and nurses at the hospital we headed to Antigua. Antigua is a beautiful city in Guatemala with many shops and colorful buildings. We drove to a coffee plantation in Antigua.
Dahlgren Wins Chaney Distinguised Professor Award
Lucyellen Dahlgren, Instructor of Nursing, was selected as the 2010 Chaney Distinguished Professor at Belmont University, the highest award presented to a faculty member at the university. The award was presented at the university’s graduation ceremonies on May 16th. One of three finalists for the award, Lucyellen was selected from more than 90 faculty nominees. On behalf of the College of Health Sciences and the School of Nursing, congratulations Lucyellen!
A note from the nurses: Emergencia!
2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
from: Natalie Eaton, Megan Oakley & Beth Higney
Hello from the nurses! Sorry we haven’t updated lately, we couldn’t get to the computer last night but hope we got your attention with the title. No, there was no emergency but we did spend Thursday working in the emergency room at the Children’s Hospital.
After utilizing the translator we were able to meet with the director of the hospital and arrange the opportunity for us to work in the pediatric emergency room on Thursday. The translator was so helpful and made it possible for us to finally express how much we really want to help. Yesterday was the first day that we were asked to really jump in and “do” something. I think it took a couple of days for them to warm up to us and really see how much we know and how much we really can help. The nursing roles here are a bit different compared to the states. For example, nurses do not do any assessments on the patients; in fact, we have yet to see one use a stethoscope. Luckily, we had a translator and one of the doctors in the ER spoke English. We were able to help with assessments and initial diagnosis as the patients came in. We administered medications, started IVs, and drew blood. Like we stated earlier, things are done a little bit different here but it is interesting to see how their hospital units function.
The Way I See It
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Chelsea Stevens
Well, today was an incredibly emotionally draining day for me (and many of us), so I am going to use today’s blog to kind of unload and filter through my thoughts. While Kim went on the hospitals mobile clinic and Stephanie worked the emergency room and operating room, the other three of us (Emily, Victoria, and I) had our turn to go out to the slums to talk with the HIV patients. Because we had a lot of time, we got to sit in their houses with them and have conversations through our interpreter Chaveleth.
Walking through this area of garbage and insects and who knows what else, I couldn’t help but think to all of the many things I take for granted. It really was an emotionally challenging day to us and to Kim and Stephanie yesterday because you see these people who have nothing and live with a disease that is so challenging, and you wonder how they have a will to get up in the morning. But not only do they have that, they have smiles on their faces and joke about the little things just like we do. While sitting with them, they told us of how they looked before they got on the Anti-retro Virus drug that helps the patients with HIV. They would laugh about how they gain so much weight once getting on the drug and would joke of how different our skin looks from theirs. One woman, in order to make a living for herself and her two children, sweeps the streets at night. But instead of letting her situation bring her down, she picks up posters and pictures people throw away and hangs them on her walls in order to decorate her small tin hut. She was so pleased that we liked them and it brought a huge smile to her face just to show off her little treasures.
Today’s theme: Surprise (times 50)
2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
Today was filled with many surprises. We had many schedule changes and had to be flexible.
Physical Therapy
Today, one group went to the Children’s Hospital and the other group went to the Shalom School and the University. The group at the Children’s Hospital had a very productive day again. Today was tennis day in PT which was very interesting and fun (and HOT!!!!!). A tennis professional came in and worked with the kids to increase their hand eye coordination. We asked and were allowed to have the two boys with Guillen-Barre participate while standing to increase their strength and endurance. We also asked if these two could stop using their wheelchairs altogether, and the therapists agreed to give it a try.
Eye Opening
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Kim Engholm
Today was a day full of new and heart wrenching experiences. We began our day at a support group meeting for HIV patients. I volunteered to be the spokesperson for our group. We stressed the importance of taking their medication and taking it on time. Apparently, it meant more coming from us because we are foreigners, and we were wearing scrubs. The meeting was very eye opening to me to see how devastating the effects of HIV are physically, mentally, and emotionally. For example, this was some patients first time to visit because they were ashamed, and others were completely abandoned by their families. After the meeting we split off to go back to the hospital (Chelsea, Emily, and Victoria) and to HIV home visits (me and Stephanie).
The social worker led us to the “newer” slums that were mostly made of concrete. There was dirt, filth, and graffiti everywhere. The first room we came to was a 10 by 20 single room that had about 13 people living in it. We moved down the hall so we could see an aerial view of the “older”slums. It literally looked like a dump with trash haphazardly thrown everywhere. Stephanie and I wanted to take more pictures, but we were too focused on where we were walking. We stepped over every piece of trash imaginable each in a different state of decomposition. Two things that stuck out in my mind were the smell and the noise. It smelt like a trashcan, sewer, old food, and body odor all at once. It featured the sounds of a busy city, babies crying hysterically, people yelling, and food cooking in grease. The “houses” were small, made out of tin, and had at least one wall missing. Others were made out of concrete four stories high. There was no clean water or electricity, and water and wastes ran off from the floors above us.
Mystical
2010 Pine Ridge Trip
Mystical is the one word I would choose to decribe Pine Ridge, SD. This reservation town as well as he surrounding community has shared the spiritual essence of the lakota people with us.
Yesterday we were at the Crazy Horse Memorial. When complete this monument carved intot the Black Hills will be the largest monument on the globe. We’re so blessed to have Leonard Little Finger with us on our journey, because he shares his stories with us at each significant place in Native American History. We discuss the irony of blasting out a giant edifice of a great warrior,Crazy Horse in what has been held as sacred ground for hundreds of years.I’m so proud of our students; challenging what they see and hear as well as their own preformed values and beliefs. For the past two nights we’ve watched films on Wounded Knee 1 and 2 (look it up) and afterwards engaged in discussion on the relationships between the indifenous people and the European descendants who landed here centuries ago. I can’t wait for what lies ahead for the rest of the week.
Our pharmacy teamwill be starting a community relations project this Friday so stay tuned for more!
“Lift as you climb”
2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
We would like to preface this by apologizing for our error yesterday by replacing split with splint… Now onto our day!!!
The Guatemala team was split up into groups again today. One group went to Fundabiem while the other went to the Children’s hospital. At the Children’s Hospital OTs had an exciting day. The students, under the supervision of the practitioners, were able to be extremely hands on during treatment sessions. Upon entering the OT room, students and practitioners were excited to see previous suggestions given to Guatemalan therapists implemented in their practice. The therapists were putting more emphasis on placing the patient in a correct posture in order to further functional ability. The students and practitioners got to observe a group session conducted by Guatemalan occupational therapy students. During the group, the children showed enthusiasm while taking part in preparing a chicken salad that they later would get to enjoy. The PTs came into the group session to help work with the children on posturing. A break was taken for lunch and everyone enjoyed another home cooked meal while sitting in the sun. After lunch, OT students and practitioners worked collaboratively with Guatemalan therapists to create a splint for a child.
Dr. Allison serves on Alumni Board
Dr. Linda Allison, associate professor at Belmont University School of Pharmacy, is continuing a second term as an officer for the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine’s Alumni Society Board of Governors. Allison is a member of the School’s Class of 1981. The 20-member board represents the interests of the 2,268 graduates of the School and serves as the official vehicle for alumni to maintain personal and professional relationships to the School. The board provides governance of the Alumni Society including oversight of the Distinguished Alumni Award program, Student Resource Fund and the School of Medicine Foundation’s annual alumni fund campaigns as well as advises on continuing medical education programming.
OH SUSAN!!!
2010 Mission Trip to Cambodia
from Victoria Kaelin
Today was our first day in the Center for Hope Hospital. Phalla met us outside the hospital to take us on a tour of where we would be working for the next two weeks. The hospital is a lot different than I expected, a lot more advanced. All the nurses were so excited to see Mrs. Taplin, they were all saying OH SUSAN!!!.
They were very happy that we had come to help them and told us that the people of Cambodia would be very gracious for our presence. I was in the OR today, and it was awesome. I got to watch three surgeries and talk to several of the surgeons and nurses. I was amazed at how much that the surgeons and nurses could do for these people. I really did not know what to expect of their operating room, but it was very nice.
“No more Chanel bags for Bill or Angelina Jolie”
2010 Mission Trip to Guatemala
So Mom’s not much luck on staying healthy today but all sickly individuals have bounced back and feel much better as of now… We are hoping it stays that way.
Today the groups splint into teams one traveling to the Children’s Hospital and the other going to the Shalom School, the University, and the soup kitchen.
The individuals who went to the Children’s Hospital splint up into their specific disciplines. In the OT clinic students worked hands on with a group of children working on sensory stimulation. They used rice, coffee beans, and different textures of cloth as sensory tools. The students and practitioners observed Guatemalan OTs evaluating a patient with severe CP with multiple serious medical issues. Once the evaluation was complete the Guatemalan OTs asked the students and practitioners for suggestions. The differences in techniques were evident but both were open to communication and excited to learn from one another.