DMGF dispatched a team of health professionals to deliver and aid mission to Northwestern Cambodia . Arriving in late January of 2005, the team was comprised of 8 Toronto Paramedics, 3 Toronto Police Officers, a Toronto firefighter, and a physiotherapist.
Cambodia has a tragic past that it is trying to recover from. Decades of civil war and foreign invasion have left a deadly legacy of more than 3 million landmines. A radical genocide in the seventies killed over 2 million people leaving the country lacking in medical infrastructure.
The team delivered over $300,000 worth of medical aid including hospital beds, a portable clinic, bedside tables, and over a thousand boxes of consumable medical supplies. These donations were spread amongst four area hospitals that are lacking in even the most basic medical needs.
The team, led by the police officers, built a small clinic in the village of Prahm Roui Rieo . As a result, ten thousand people now have access to immediate health care. Whereas is the past a trip for medical aid would be prohibitively expensive. The team hired local labourers and had the facility up and running in six days. The local Provincial Ministry of Health will provide staff for the new clinic.
The team helped to distribute 162500 power bars to local orphanages and schools. These were distributed along with over 4500 books and 30 computer systems. Benjamin Moore donated in some paint products that was used spruce up a local school
The paramedics trained over 41 rescuers in basic first aid, CPR, and advanced procedures. These new rescuers represent the front line and will help to care for civilians. The firefighter taught a class in fire/ rescue procedures. A combined mock disaster exercise was held to allow recruits to test their skills in a simulated plane crash.
The team held a clinic for street people in the city of Siem Reap . We managed to feed over 70 people and take care of their basic medical needs. Cuts were cleaned. Antibiotics were dispensed. Friends were made. And children suffering the harsh reality of Cambodia streets were shown that people do care.
A second container filled with 40,000 pounds of rice was distributed to the poor and patients of local hospitals. Over a quarter of a million meals will be served.
The whole mission cost less than fifteen thousand dollars.
Filmaker Amir Azimi and host, Dr. Karl Kabasele accompanied the team. Together they have produced a documentary, Cambodia : Peace by Piece.
Thanks to the team:
Adina Kaufman - Toronto Firefighter
Alfred Ng - Physiotherapist, Hamilton Health Sciences
Bill McCracken - Toronto Paramedic
Brian Welch - Toronto Paramedic
Dave Phillips Jr - Toronto Police Service
Don Ryan - Toronto Police Service
Elizabeth Glibbery - Toronto Manager, By-Law Enforcement
Jackie Hood - Toronto Police Service
Reuben Driedger - Paramedic, United Arab Emirates
Robert Selfridge - Toronto Paramedic
Sheree Hryhor - Toronto Paramedic
