It’s been a few weeks since I’ve added to my blog spot but let me explain: after the last addition, I’ve continued with my Khmer lessons, and, if I might say so myself, doing quite well. I am able to make introductions, ask for most things in shops and take my leave in an acceptable fashion. This has been useful when it came to the serious business of going to visit my placements where I will be working in my capacity as a Health Management Advisor.
I will be working in the region of Banteay Meanchey which is in the north west of Cambodia next to the border with Thailand. I will be working in two hospitals. The challenges of both placements will be very different, and will draw on lots of my management skills. I will be rotating through the hospitals initially, on a monthly basis, with another VSO volunteer, Mary, who is acting in the capacity of Nurse Advisor. Mary is from Kenya and will add to the interesting multi-cultural problem solving appraoch in the hospitals.
Because we have two placements that are removed from each other, Mary and I will share two houses, one in each village. Oh the joys of two home ownership! We already have established the contracts for renting the houses, and there is plenty of room for visitors in both.
This week, I and my six VSO colleagues who are in the same cohort, are back in Phnom Penh for more in country training. I know it may seem a bit long before we get on the job, but I’d rather learn about some cultural norms in the comfort of a learning set than by sticking my size sixes in big time! There is a big festival on this week with nearly two million people flocking into the City…..I’m getting out on Friday morning to the coast! Can’t bear the thought of all those people! I’ll let you know what I think on my return.
I’ve received a plea for more photos from Louise in Leeds. It takes ages to upload them onto the internet and that is one reason why I haven’t got many on the site. That plus the fact I actually don’t take many photos……but they will follow, I promise! Keep the e-mails coming; they really help to keep the spirits up.
Please note, anything I have written in the submission does not represent the formal views of VSO.
