Heading back 07

Looking for that last minute tax deduction?

For me life isn’t always about crashing down a river or through the woods to the top of a mountain. Sometimes satisfaction comes from helping others. I’m in a job most people can only dream of, being paid to respond to emergencies as a firefighter paramedic. It is truly is a job I love and I can’t think of a profession I would rather be in. What many people don’t know about me is that I’m still heavily involved in several volunteer organizations, Olympic Mountain Rescue, a Mason County Fire District, and “Outreach Emergency Services Program” (OESP). Last January I spent two weeks in Cambodia teaching the first EMT class in Cambodia and helping set up the first emergency services system for the entire county with some to the top Cambodian governmental officials. It truly was the hardest I have ever worked on a vacation putting in 18 hour days. You can read about last years experiences by clicking January archives. On a daily bases at work I make differences in peoples lives while responding to people’s emergencies and with my teaching in Mason County and Olympic Mountain Rescue, the people I instruct make differences, but my experience in Cambodia was much greater. I was part of something that will affect thousands and thousands if not millions of people in the future. (That Was Big!) It really has left an impression on me how easy it is to positively affect people’s lives, never have I had students so grateful for instruction. I also have put back in to prospective how gratifying being a volunteer can be. This month I will be going back to Cambodia to continue were we left off last year and do additional fire training for the “Cambodian Fire Police”. Our group has partnered with Northwest Medical Teams who will be sending four additional EMT instructors, also from Australia we will be getting several fire instructors. It is really exciding to see the program grow and have such an impact. Last year Rebecca Graham editor of the North Mason Neighbor while at home in Belfair designed the Cambodian national EMS symbol via e-mail. Our funding is all out of pocket and donations, with the exception of the Cambodian government providing housing and transportation while we are teaching. To learn more about OESP visit www.oesp.net.. If you would like to help sponsor this year’s trip to Cambodia you may do so by donating you tax deductible contribution at http://www.oesp.net/participate.html and clicking on Andy Graham.

Home

Home at last, after what seemed like two strait days of travel. The flights home were smooth and arrived early in all ports. We got into Seattle early but after the wait for our baggage and me being detained in customs for having pirated DVDs ( that they did let me keep) (I would advise everyone not to bring them home) I was the last to clear customs from the entire plane and finely got to see my long missed wife and Cedar. Oh ahhh the cool weather and rain, I love it!

Tonight I started sorting my pictures, read Gary’s blogs and sorted out the souvenirs I brought home. Looking at the pictures, the smiles on the faces of the students, hotel staff, Generals, Cols and people, really reinforces to me the impact we made while we were there. So often when we travel we just are specter as our passage goes unnoticed (as maybe it should in most cases) but this trip we made a real positive impact in so many ways. It’s my true wish I am able to duplicate this impact again in the not too distant future. The memories, details of trips and adventures always fade, but this trip will leave a lasting impression. I hope not only on me, but the people we encountered in Cambodia and you the reader of this blog as well.

Thank you for sharing in this adventure with me.

Andy

In Bangkok

We found the one thing in Cambodia that runs early. Bangkok Air, our plane pulled out from the gate 20mins early and we arrived in Bangkok Thailand 30mins early. We will be spending the night at the "dayrooms" in the airport and on a flight to Japan at 06:00 I’m going to try to get some quick sleep.

Andy

Almost headed home

Four hours ‘til we board the plane to Bangkok. It’s like a Grateful Dead song, “What a long strange trip it’s been.” The tally on the fire was 33 homes lost, but then it stated 55 families lost their homes. Gary has been all over the TV giving an interview at the fire scene. I was on the front page of the paper. This morning when we met the Royal Prince he looked at Gary and said, “I saw you on TV at the fire.” He then asked, “Who is Andy Graham?” He then proceeded to read the article from the paper. Our meeting with the Prince was very good. He is very appreciative of what we are doing for the Cambodian people and our motivation behind it. It was truly an honor to meet with him. Our next visit he wants to arrange for us to meet with the King.

This trip has been a truly wonderful experience. I found the people to be very friendly. A smile always gets you the biggest grin. I never have had any group of students so excited about a class and NEVER have I had students so grateful! It has been such an experience to come to a developing nation and help out so much. Thank all of you for helping me get here and supporting me while I was here with your comments and e-mails.

Some nights I almost had to force myself to write the blog because I was so tired, but it really helped knowing how many people where reading it. It was good to debrief the days’ events as well as get a record of them while it was fresh in my mind. I am really anxious to get back home to Rebecca and Cedar. Only a few more hours ‘til I get to hold them again. Prior to the trip I was a bit nervous about coming. I had no reason to be. Despite the past difficulties in Cambodia, it’s a great place to visit.
Yes, I will be hitting you up for help again for next year’s trip; we have already picked dates the same two weeks in January 2007

Andy

It's Gone Crazy

Just when it seems things can’t get any crazier, they do. The day started out just as planned: a very nice graduation ceremony for the police, with lots of TV cameras and picture taking, then afterwards another long meeting with the General. (He calls me his brother now and really seems to like me.) It’s very obvious he is well educated, and held in high regard by his men. I brought up the need for all new police officers going through academy to have at least a basic first aid class, and he tentatively agreed to have it implemented (another big step). Tonight I introduced one of our “New Life” students that teaches a 12-hour first aid class, to the Police Col. I had them talk about sharing the curriculum used by “New Life” (connecting people and sharing information). They exchanged phone numbers and I hope things will happen. During our meeting with the General, he realized he had not presented us with our awards in front of the TV cameras. He then called CTN and ordered then to send the TV crew back to film the exchange. I was given a very nice engraved silver plate with Ankor Wat on it.

We stopped back at the hotel for lunch and were notified of a very large fire downtown (this whole place is downtown). Anyway, Gary and I went to observe. This was a fire that would have made any of our ICs at home hand in their badges and radios and go home. The block here are very large, maybe equal to four of our blocks. There are smaller blocks inside only accessible by narrow passage ways (2-3’ wide). The fire had started in the middle of course and spread to home units on two sides of the block. The buildings are 6-7 stories high with very limited access. Then there are the bystanders--thousands of them--and hundreds still inside the block trying to fight fire with hoses and pans of water. Almost no crowd control. We were in our OESP uniforms which are very well recognized and were able to move anywhere we wanted. (Not a whole lot different than anyone else). The Ladder Truck OESP donated was on scene and truly helped save the day. I will say there were some very interesting tactics. There are electrical feeds (overhead wires) everywhere. I looked at it and thought, “How are they going to be able to raise the stick?” Easy--you just put it up! Those wires will break or pull loose from somewhere. I was asked several times to help command the scene. (I declined.) I was also interviewed several times by papers and TV while on scene. The ladder truck had to be moved numerous times to reach the fire in different areas and sides of the block. Well, after four hours the fire was knocked down and only 40 homes lost. Not bad considering that in that block there are in the neighborhood of 500 homes. Without the ladder truck the loss would have been much higher.

We still managed to meet with the Hospital Director and give the students the written test. They all passed with high scores. YEA!! We handed out prizes to all the students. I have never seen people so excited to get gifts. It was really cool. The girl in the class Lim received the highest score. She had had her moped helmet stolen, so we made sure she received a helmet as a prize. (Talk about excited!)
Tonight we had the party with the General (my new brother) and the students. What a good time. I’m looking forward to next year when Rebecca will be with me. It’s nearly 23:00 and there are still people wanting to meet with us. I have to get up early to meet The Prince, so that’s all for now. I’ll try to post before we have to go to the airport

Andy

It's getting crazy

Picture of the bird flu truck, headed to your favorate restraunt. We also see I'm guessing up to 40+ chickens being hauled on mopeds

Today was a really busy day and the next two days will be even more frantic. We expected to get the “Royal Treatment” while we were here, based on the previous years. Not that the treatment has been bad, but other than being whisked through customs and provided a new police van with a driver, it has been pretty low key, until yesterday. Suddenly it seems as is everyone of high importance has realized we are here and wants to meet with us.

The students had their practical examinations this morning and afternoon. Of course while the test was going on, another one of the very top generals and his entourage showed up to meet with us and observe the students. There were also more media people wanting interviews. And at the same time, the director of the hospital wanted to schedule a meeting with us. With all of that we managed to get all the students through testing. They did a truly awesome job! We even finished up early and had an opportunity to hit the market and again spent too much money. The girl from our class, “Lim”, escorted us and helped us negotiate the best deals. We also did shopping for gifts to give the students from the instructors. We bought each one a Khmer to English dictionary, as well as small gifts like balls and a couple of motorcycle helmets that we give out at our closing ceremony after the test.

Tonight when we arrived back at the hotel after shopping, one of the Cols, and the top adviser to the Prince and Prime Minister (I thing the equivalent to Condaliza Rice in the USA) was waiting for us. He was really personable and was very apologetic that we have not been receiving much higher attention by the Cambodian Government. We assured him we have been comfortable and not to worry. On Saturday morning we will be going to the Royal Palace and meeting with the Prince! WOW! I think with all the media attention we have received over the past few days, it has really called attention to what we are doing here. We are constantly reassured that for our next trip we will be taken care of to the extreme. (I’m still traveling in higher style than I am used to--no public buses and three meals a day.)

Speaking of meals--last night we took the front desk receptionist out to dinner. Hers is kind of an average story. She lives at home with her family of seven, works seven days a week, eleven hours a day, makes $70 a month and pays room and board ($45). In order for a family to agree to a wedding, the couple needs to pay the bride’s family $3000 to $3500 for the wedding. Every young girl we talk with is saving, but the couple can only normally put away $20-$25 per month toward the wedding. That is why so many young adults live at home.

Tomorrow morning we go to the police academy and have a very formal graduation. The police students had to go there tonight and rehearse. After the ceremony we go back to class and have the students take the written test (yes after). Then we have our total class graduation where we’ll hand out certificates, patches, gifts and prizes. After that we go back to the General’s Compound and have dinner hosted by the Cambodian Government.
Only 45 hours ‘til we’ll be on a plane. Yep, we’re going to be busy.
Andy

Big things today!

History was happening today! We’re talking about lifestyles of the rich and famous in Cambodia. The first BIG thing that happened was the Ambassador of the United States of Cambodia came for a tour of HOPE Hospital. We were able to meet with him, explain the mission of OESP and what type of training we were doing in Cambodia this trip. We showed him the AEDs that Zoll donated to the Cambodian government and how we were training the first group of people in Cambodia to use them. All of this was in front of several TV cameras and a dozen of photo journalist. He seemed to be impressed with our program and what we were doing here and talked about the possibility of purchasing additional units for the embassy and Cambodia.

The next really big thing was we finally got the call to meet with one of the Top Generals. This General is the direct adviser to the Prime Minister and in charge of all police training. We were taken to a very secure high level compound to meet with him. The meeting couldn’t have gone better. We had picked up the sample of the patch we had made up and presented it to the General. We explained the issues of our students having access issues to patients and the need for a symbol and ID card that would grant them access. He looked over the patch and immediately ordered the col. That was in the room, to have the patches made official and placed on all the uniforms of the police students. The Col. Instantly pulled out a cell phone and made a phone call to get things going. The General then inquired further about ID cards. We explained, what our version of and ID card looked like and he asked us to provide samples by morning so that they could have them done and ready for distribution by Friday. (Another job for Rebecca) It’s amazing how fast things occur when the right person understands the issue and is able to give the order. Another really cool thing that happened was, I spoke of the need for the best student to be involved in teaching next year, so they could work toward becoming independent of our help in the future. We brought up a Major in the class and told of his ability to grasp concepts and assist other students. The General stated he would have the Major promoted to a higher rank and involved in training. (Another career is advanced due to OESP) One of the HOPE students last year was placed into medical school as a result of our program. The General seemed very pleased with our progress and wants our work to continue.

I was going to write about the people of Cambodia tonight but it’s getting late and that will have to wait till another night. There’s a chance we’ll be meeting with someone from the Royal Family tomorrow night. Stay tuned for the next installment.

Andy and OESP group

Tue. 1/24

The day started out with our normal routine, breakfast, (fruit, toast, juice and noodles) then off to the hospital via our van. Just like all the rest of the days; hundreds of people hoping to “win the lottery”. This is the hardest part of the day, walking through the droves of people in need of care, knowing that the chances are slim that they will be seen.

Today we did a lot of review and answering of questions. I taught an MCI class with START triage. After lunch we got into splinting. I found some old lumber under the auditorium bleachers, dug down beep into the old brain cells and taught traction splinting the old fashion way with a board and cravats. (When’s the last time anyone of us tried that?) You would not believe how they get into cravat usage. You also would not believe how vulnerable “the private parts” suddenly become once someone is secured to a backboard and defenseless. I’m also sure a few of the students have one longer leg due to excusive traction splinting. Good learning and a lot of fun in the process.

Some have asked about the food in Cambodia. I find the food to be a cross between northern Thai and Vietnamese ( go figure being we’re between Thailand and Vietnam) Not too much curry, a lot less usage of fruit and coconut milk and not as spicy as Thai, The main spice is green pepper corn, garlic, onion and small hot peppers. We all seem to have our favorites and old standbys, Jerry- fried rice with pork, Christina- Fried vegetables, Gary-Morning glory with beef, and me Fried squid with pepper. We do all share and sample each others dishes. I’m still in search of the perfect Vietnamese salt and pepper squid like I get in Portland.

I haven’t talked about the traffic. You know how we joke about Asians not being able to drive? Well it’s just that we don’t understand that they must be some of the best drivers in the world and long as there are no rules to govern what is done behind the wheel. Bottom line No driving rules. The vehicle with the most mass has the right a way. Center lines are a very rough guide line at best. Most intersections have no stop signs. The streets that are one way, have two way traffic. If you want to make a left turn, and you get to the right side in the oncoming lane way before the intersection and all of this with a zillion mopeds zipping between in all directions without control. The truly amazing thing is that it works! Constantly ( and I do mean constantly) we are no more the a inch from other vehicles, mopeds, tuk tuks, cyclones and bicycles all at the same time, coming and going from all directions at all speeds, and no metal bending. I wouldn’t even attempt to drive a moped here, let alone a truck or bus. We ask how many people live in Phnom Phen no one seems to know, but when we ask how many mopeds there are, the answer is one for every person. I know this can’t quite be true because we constantly see entire families on one moped, up to six people plus groceries. Rarely do you see a single rider on a moped and most often the passenger is a female wearing sandals riding side saddle and a male holding something very large (door, ladder, big TV ect) I’ve only seen a couple af mopeds fall over and all with no injuries.
If you want to read some of the other’s blogs you can go to http://www.oesp.net/ and see them there.
All for tonight

Andy

Back to class

Back to class today, Just as any other day there were a ton of people waiting for the lottery to be seen in the hospital today. Christina and I got a full tour of the hospital from the ER director. Hope Hospital is funded by three non-profit groups, located in the USA, Singapore and Japan. Their mission and goal is to deliver the highest quality of care they can with the resources they have, without sacrificing for the number of patients they see. This means they turn away over 200 people per day. When a patient arrives they are triaged and the acute patients are seen if there is room. . The non acute patient are directed to the lottery out of the over 200 patients that apply for the lottery each day only 10 are selected to become new patients They have a 10 bed ER, two surgery suits, one portable X-ray. In the near future the will have an ultrasound. They have what appears to be a good lab, a pathology lab that’s funded by a German doctor (the slides are E-mailed to him and he gives the results from Germany). No catscan, no MRI, no endoscope and what I found most surprising no ventilator. When we asked what they were in need of most the ventilator was the top answer, apparently during surgery the patient has to be manually bagged. They say they can bag someone up to eight hours, but no longer, so if a patient needs more than that they die. The medical ward is an 11 bed room with very sick patients. In order to be admitted you need to have at least 4 or more IV injections per day and most of the care is provided by family members. The med surg. Unit is also a 11 bed room with family members in attendance. They have doctors from all over the world that will spend a week volunteering a few hours a day to help with the high patient count. They do 600,000 lab test per year, do 250,000 x-rays a year and see 300 patients per day. All in all it appeared they do a really good job with the limited resources available.

We covered childbirth today, no one in class has ever seen a birth, in this society men are not allowed to attend births. We had a lot of fidgeting during this class and the most questions yet.

We also ordered patches and T-shirts with the new logo that we helped with (thanks Rebecca) today, if anyone wants one let me know quickly.
It’s still hot and the word is that this, is the cool season. In the next few weeks it will start to heat up. Glad I’ll be back in the cool rain by then
Andy

Anchor Wat

I had an opportunity to visit on of the wonders of the world yesterday, Anchor Wat and the surrounding temples. They were built from1000AD to 1200AD. I just don’t know what to say that hasn’t already been written, Anchor Wat has stood the test of time incredibly well. The real disturbing thing we did see repeatedly, was the battle scars from the Khmer Rouge and the Vietnamese army. At the end of Pol Pot’s occupation the last battle played out in Anchor Wat, leaving bullet holes and blast damage from RPGs. The size of the Temple is incredible with a 600’ wide moat and numerous stone walls to get to temple and it was all done without mechanized equipment, we would have difficulty building such a complex and structure today. I found I enjoyed several of the other nearby temples just as much if not more. They were in much more advanced decay and just seemed much older. Rebecca’s father requested I take lots of pictures, so I did, although I didn’t have our good camera equipment. The next trip I want to spend at least one entire day shooting from pre sun up to sun down, this has to be one of the most incredible places to take photos I have ever seen. Ok here is something you don’t hear about too much; the children selling souvenirs. Out side each temple you are swarmed by children selling trinkets. The amazing thing is how the get you to buy. They’ll ask you where your from and then start quoting facts “of the United States of America, 280,000,000, 50 states, Washington’s capital is Olympia. Then they will trick you by challenging you to ask the any capital in the world and if the can answer you have to by something from them. They know their capitals!!!!! And if you say something like “you don’t even know where Madagascar is. They come right back with “off the west coast of Africa” (This is an 8 or 9 year old!) I don’t know what the education system is like here, but I don’t know a kid in the US that could hold a candle to the geography skills

Andy

The road to Seim Reap, life from the window

The trip to Seim Reap is a 6 hour 314K adventure. Actually the road is quite good and paved most all the way with very few sharp corners. What amazed me was how flat and open Cambodia is. There was not a hill to go up or down on the entire drive and just a minimal few to look at from the bus. Now about life outside the city, I can only tell you about what I surmised from the bus window but after 12 hour on the round trip, I have some pretty good ideas, so here I go. Soon as we crossed the bridge out of Phnom Phen the scenery changed, from urban to very rural, as we headed north, it was very reminiscent of heading out of Guayaquil in Ecuador with homes made from planks and bamboo. Most all the homes are right along the road, on both sides for most of the way; with rice and grain fields as far as you can see. Behind the homes the field start spattered with palm trees. Nearly all the farming is done by hand or livestock. Every house has a huge stack of hay to feed the animals. There were continuous oxen and water buffalo the entire trip, as well as older men riding two wheel carts pulled by a small horse. One can only assume you will see the livestock disappear and be replaced with small tractors as in Thailand, with the economy growing. The houses were the traditional Cambodian style very small on pilings with a steep ladder and livestock or hammocks strung underneath. You would see toddlers crawling up and down the ladders (a sight that would make any USA parent freak out). Clean water seems to be a real issue. Along the road are small stagnate ponds of very muddy water where you would see children playing and washing in. (did I mention VERY muddy water?) There were as many children as oxen. The children would be working in the fields digging in the mud or trying to catch fish in the mud. one the amazing things I saw was a six year old leading two oxen down the road. All in all the children seemed to be happy, lots of smiles and lots of playing. I also got a real since of community and family. I would love to have the time to stop and shoot a ton of photos and interview people along the way. The other thing that caught my eye were the over loaded vehicles, be it moped with five people on it or a moped with driver, 100ld bag of feed, and two full sized hogs, to the vans with 20 or more people inside and good stacked on top another six feet high and then of group of people on top of the goods, or the small trucks with over 40 people. Every vehicle is a MCI waiting to happen, It’s a good thing most of the speeds are low. So there it is a 12 hour bus ride condensed into one long paragraph

Andy

AED day

Today we trained the students in the usage of the first AEDs to be in Cambodia, and had a refresher class in CPR. Exciting when you consider most clinics don’t have heart monitors. The class is really excited to be the fist group to be trained here. Rebecca also has spent a lot of time at home designing the EMS patch I think we will have the final version today. (Thanks Rebecca for the help). We will not have class tomorrow due to an issue wile the auditorium being needed by the hospital, so we’re taking off for three days to Anchor Wat, a 6 hour bus ride to the north. We have tried all week to get the government to provide the van to get us there but no luck. So a little will be coming out of my personal spending money. We’re going to stay at a nicer (3 star) hotel ($45 per night) compared to the $10 a night place we’re staying at in Phnom Phen.

Have I mentioned how hot it is here? I would say it’s in the 90s with 100% humidity very sticky. A few years ago there was a cold spell of 63F and many people died of hypothermia.

I spent a big $1.25 for a great hair cut this afternoon, and then they asked me if I wanted a massage afterwards (It looked to be the kind of place to best decline a massage, so I paid for my haircut and went to dinner. I’m going to keep this short tonight go I can get rested up for my bus ride early in the morning.

I also met a fire chief form Denver Fire doing orphanage work, he was able to take the children’s clothing that I brought along to an orphanage today. ( It’s strange how us firefighters always find each other)

Andy

Day three in the classroom

Today our focus was PHTLS with rapid auto extrication (wow can these guys strap someone to a backboard with cravats!) I am continually impressed at how hungry for knowledge they are, wanting to always understand complex concepts (like types of shock and the physiology of shock) (that’s not an easy thing to explain through a translator, but we get it done) The doctor that’s the director of the hospital stopped in today to check in on the class and see how we were doing. The really fun thing was when we took the students out for extrication, back boarding and KED practice right in the middle of the hospital compound, was watching the hospital staff, patients and everyone else there gather around watching. It was very apparent they had never seen anything like that before.

I spotted who I’m sure will be the first Senior EMT instructor of Cambodia, He’s a Major that returned from last year and is a natural instructor helping other students and even organizing study groups at his home this weekend.
Tonight we broke away and did a little sightseeing and had a nicer dinner. We have been using the same tuk tuk driver when we need to travel at night. Tonight after dinner we went for ice cream and invited him to join us, he had never had ice cream before. Again something that seems so common for us a novelty / luxury to someone living here. (he really enjoyed it
Andy and the OESP gang

A few pics

I'm feeling better today, I'll write about the days events to night
Andy

A huge day

This was the kind of a day one can only dream of. I truly feel I saw history in the making and was a part of the future for Cambodian EMS. We learned that last years students are having real problems gaining access to patients. The Traffic Police don’t understand why the police we’re training need access to patient and if they are out of uniform they risk being hit with billy clubs trying to get to the patient. At an accident scene the traffic police secure a 50’ perimeter around the patient and deny any access.(even to other police) We talked about the issue with a group of our students and realized, if we create a EMS patch they can wear on their uniforms and an ID card with their picture signed by the top general, this would allow patient access. We are going to really try to get this done prior to leaving next week. Another issue is the public are unaware of what EMS is and are reluctant to let police help them. We are going to try to get the media involved in our class to increase public awareness. The last issue is the largest perhaps, our (minus the one female) student are extremely reluctant to touch a female. This is a major cultural issue we are going to attack with the help of Christine in class. Getting the students to hands on exams on females in class. (small steps) We hear a story of how a female that was involved on an accident that bleed to death, due to everyone (males) being afraid to touch her. I know some of these things may seem small but they will make huge differences in the future.

We did hear of a couple of real success stories. One of our past students had a code save of a drowning patient and another one saved his daughter that was choking.

The students are doing an outstanding job with the skills stations, despite the language differences. It’s so obvious how much they want to be here and succeed as EMS pioneers.

This morning as we entered the hospital compound there the over a hundred people (not including all the ones in front of the ER that had been there for who knows how long) huddled around a man handing out pieces of paper. Apparently each morning people wanting to see a doctor get a ticket and a lottery drawing happens, those lucky enough to have a lucky ticket gets to see a doctor. (what a system)

I could feel better today, I think it’s a combination of the hot weather, change in diet (I do love the food), malaria medication, the time change and who knows what else. If I get sick in won’t be the first time in a far off country.
Gary is off getting some three hour fluffy massage, Vu and Christy are getting the standard one hour massage for eight dollars, I and Jerry are doing actual computer work tonight. I really want to come back sometime and do some traveling here

Andy and OESP crew

In the class room

In the class room
Our day started a six AM getup and police van pick up at seven. From there on the day got crazy. We had expected opening ceremonies with top generals to be at a location other than Hope Hospital. When we were shuttled directly to the hospital we were lightly confused and knew our planned schedule was headed sideways. The Col. Explained to us that they had learned from last year how much time we needed for class and how serious about training we were that they had all but eliminated the opening ceremony’s to give us more time and would have the big formal event at the end of next week.

The feeling I experienced as we walked together, through the hospital grounds, all in our new pressed uniforms, past the hundred plus patients hoping the be seen in the ED today, I have a hard time expressing. The poverty and lack of basic health care was so sad. We take so much for granite.

We made our way to the class room and were met by very excited student returning from last year. It’s just so refreshing to see individuals so excited about a program. We have a total of 34 students, 30 returning and 4 new ones form a faith based NGO called “New Life”, All students seem proud to be a part of what we are doing.

We placed a lot of emphasis on how the students sitting before us are the pioneers of Cambodian EMS, along with explaining how only thirty years ago in the USA EMS was new and how far a system car go in just a few years.
There was a short opening ceremony that put us four hours ahead of schedule right from the start. We hadn’t prepared for Tue. classes that we were now teaching today. We did over come. I guess it’s like any EMT class anywhere the first day doesn’t ever go quite as planned, but it still works out fine. Vu did a great job of getting the class under way. Things defiantly move at a different pace in Cambodia that became real apparent in the class room. I had an opportunity to teach, Teaching using a interpreter is really different, (I can’t tell any of my jokes or dumb stories) Well I’m going to sign off so I can prep the cases tomorrow.

Andy and the OESP group

A day in Phnom Phen

A day in Phnom Phen

Today we headed the Fire Department to see how they were using the ladder truck that OESP shipped over last year. We found it to be in great shape. It’s obvious their taking good care of it. I gave them a couple of small suggestions on the maintenance of ground ladders. The generator had stopped working not long after we left last year. We spent several hours trouble shooting the problem (like my brother Rick use to say if there’s spark and gas, it has to run) we found that there was no gas getting to the cylinder. After first putting gas in the tank and fixing the float in the carburetor, we had a running generator. We talked about usage of portable lighting, ect. The training done last year seems to have had an influence. They assured us they were still using turnout gear while fighting fires. They run a fire every day and use the ladder truck whenever appropriate. I was really impressed at how clean it was for as often as it’s used.

The condition of the minimal amount of fire hose was horrendous. I really want to see some improvement / upgrades in the future, (let’s get them some hose)

After leaving the fire dept. Gary and I went to Toul Sleng (the high school that was used to torture and kill over 20,000 during the Khmer Rouge) the scale of the atrocities wasn’t fathomable. Our guide escaped into Vietnam after a year of the occupation at age 7 and told us of how her father and brothers and sister were killed.

On the brighter side we had a really good lunch and visited the Royal Palace. It was outstanding. When we returned to our hotel Gary’s luggage was waiting. (Yea!)
Tonight we went over our plan and power points for our classes that start in the morning.

From Andy and the OESP group Good night

In Cambodia day one

In Cambodia day one
We made It!! after 38 hours of travel from home. We were met at the airport by several high level government officials and whisked past customs and immigration (wow I feel like a VIP) We were taken to our hotel and met for over an hour with the col. in charge of all police training for the Cambodian government (all on no sleep) we talked extensively about future EMS plans and this years training for Cambodia. I feel really good about what we’re doing here. It's a good thing.

The only problem so far is Gary Howe's bags did not arrive, lost in Bangkok apparently, we’re hopping to see them today. (Sunday)

We did go to a large market so Gary could get some clean --- well you can guess. lot's of cheep knock off brand label poor quality goods real cheep, (North Face packs for less than $10.00) and I think that's about what they were worth based on the quality. I hope Gary's new underwear hold up till his arrives.

Today one of our plans is to go to the fire dept. and evaluate to status to the fire truck and equipment that was sent over last year. I can see we will be as busy as I had planned on.
The country it's self doesn’t seen to be to much different than any city in Thailand, the normal hustle bustle of any Asian city, friendly people. I'm anxious to see what it is like out side of Phnom Phen, I'm guessing the poverty may be much more extreme.
Andy with OESP

Almost time to go

Two days till we’re on a plane. We did get conformation the Cambodian government will be providing our transportation and lodging, Yea! I have spent most everything I collected on tickets, malaria medications (that insurance won’t cover) and such. Thank god for good friends. It looks as if we’ll have at least forty students, half of which will be returning from last year. We scored 3 AEDs that we’ll be taking with us for deployment. I’ve been working hard on getting the classes done that I’m in charge of. It’s going to be a real challenge teaching to non-English speakers. Well I’ll up date the blog soon as I arrive in Cambodia..
Andy

That's icky stuff

Today I met with the travel nurse and got started on my Typhoid meds as well as getting mes to prevent Marlria. Another $150+ spent getting ready to go only a week from today!

Andy

Update 1/4/05

Today the Kitsap sun ran a nice article that makes me kind of sound like some sort of a superhero. Well I'm not I'm just one guy volunteering a bunch of time and doing what I can to help a lot of people, I'll repost an updated post from the beginning with info.

Friends, Family, Kayakers, Rafters, Fellow Firefighters, EMTs, Medics, and anyone else interested I’m looking for some help. (Yes me Andy) I have joined Outreach Emergency Services Program (OESP) http://www.oesp.net/ and spend two weeks in Cambodia teaching an EMS course and help with their EMS system. I’ll be leaving 1/12/06 and returning 1/28/06. During my time in Cambodia I will be spending Mondays though Fridays in class teaching since 1943 when the Japanese invaded, to the 60’s when US war planes dropped bombs, (this still is denied by the US government, but one of our members that is going was bombardingier that pushed the drop button) to the 70’s when the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot killed millions and millions, (in a country smaller than the state of Washington) to the 80’s with the Vietnamese occupation of Cambodia has seen despair and hard times. Currently they have a democratic government (although there is still some corruption) and are working on developing infrastructure, including Fire and EMS. (ie things have been bad for a long time and now their trying to make things better)It looks like the Cambodian government will not be covering our hotel cost while we are teaching classes and I will have to pay for my own plane ticket and some other expenses. That’s where I am in need of help! I’m trying raising some money to cover my round trip airfare, (and no I won’t be taking a kayak) most of my time in Cambodia will be spent teaching. Helping teach EMS and Fire classes in a developing country has been one of my dreams for a long time. I really looking forward to the opportunity and think I’ll make an impact. 2006 will be the second year OESP has done this trip. Last year they felt as if they made a lot of real progress and have some good plans for this year. So if you have a few spare dollars to help support my endeavor I would welcome them. Even $25 would help. Nearly all of our time and energy during the trip will be devoted to helping the people of this developing country improve their futures. Donations can be sent to me at: Andy Graham / Cambodia EMS PO box 693 Belfair, WA 98528 360-731-1078 or online at www.eosp.net click partiapate and then on Andy every dollar I raise will be used to help people in some manor, be it my travel expenses and lodging or having a well dug for a community.

Cambodia bound

Cambodia bound