By a four year old! Other than that, I read, I slept, I ate. Wo could ask for more? But in the evening I took on a concert and talk put on by the founder of the children's hospitals in Cambodia, Dr. Beat Richner. What a fantastic man! I'm including website on his history but I'll fill you in on what I learned tonight.
Every Saturday evening he plays the cello and gives a presentation on the ongoing battle to keep the children of Cambodia alive and well. He does this, simply for donation. He also goes back to Switzerland twice a year to do more concerts and lectures, again raising money since 90% of the funding for his hospitals is from donations alone.
The medical attention the children receive is free thanks to him and his staff of 2400 Khmer people. On average 400 children a day are brought in to the hospitals, 100 of which have to go to ICU. An average visit (between 2-7 days) can cost roughly $240 and since the average family generates $0.50 a day every little bit helps.
He firmly believes children are the future and you can hear the passion in his voice. The hospitals deliver an average of 50 babies a day but on top of that Tuberculosis is a major problem here and can lead to perminate disability so the treatment never stops and they give the money to the families so they are able to make it to their appointments. No child goes unseen or not properly medicated. A huge part of the problem is the medication you can access here on your own has a 80% chance of being illegit...more problems. Dengue and Japanese Encephalitis are also on the rise so they perform hundreds of vaccinations a day. both can lead to disability if not fatality.
I left feeling drained and all I did was lend an ear for a couple hours. The passion that has driven this man for decades is very apparent in his hair (he looks like Dr. Steve Brule). But I saw faith in humanity once more seeing people willing to overcome any obstacles for the greater good. Acts of selflessness should never go unmentioned so I felt the need to out a little info out there as I'm sure my measly donation did not do much, but at least I could feel confident with this one that it will end up in the right hands.
Fun fact: if you got a second, gives thanks for your health.
http://www.beatocello.com/Assets/richner_history.html
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