Meet Sovandara. He comes from a small village in Tuk Kleang, Cambodia. He is alive today because of the Medical Support Services and Health Education Program run by Asian Outreach. He has been given a second chance at life.
Sovandara lives with his parents and two sisters in Tuk Kleang, a small village on the south side of the Mekong River, 40km from the capital, Phnom Penh. Sovandara’s family is a typical rural family, struggling to survive. A few years ago he became extremely sick. His parents took him to the local health center where they discovered that Sovandara had severe typhoid, and due to the deterioration of his condition he required immediate hospitalization in Phnom Penh. Asian Outreach Cambodia’s (AOC) evacuation team provided transport and support for Sovandara and his mother during his hospital stay. Transport difficulties, city traffic, and hospital systems, along with the deteriorating condition of a family member, can be completely overwhelming for people who may never have traveled outside their village. Thanks to the fast intervention, Sovandara made a good recovery and his family are very grateful for the help and support from AOC.
Today, Sovandara is a happy, healthy student at the district high school and is one of the leaders of the school Health Club, where he takes a lead role in communicating health messages at the school and in community presentations, as well as sharing with his family, friends and neighbors. He says, “Now I understand why I got typhoid. I told my friends, family and neighbors, ‘My sister sometimes was very lazy to boil the water.’ I had to explain to her a few times why this is important. Now she has changed. She is happy and not lazy to boil the water, as she knows she can help protect our family and keep us healthy.”
Sovandara’s case is not unique. There are many Cambodian children like him who suffer from diseases such as typhoid, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Without essential health care, every year untold numbers of children suffer and die needlessly. The real tragedy is that most of these diseases are preventable with a basic understanding of hygiene and low-cost medicine. By partnering with us in our health education and care projects, you have the opportunity to give a child a 2nd Chance at life.
