![\"IMG_5347\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.scu.edu\/misjailcisin\/files\/2015\/09\/IMG_5347.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nEven more impressive than the accomplishments of the organization was the strength of the relationships that they had with the community. I assumed that my partner and I would be treated like outsiders, especially since we speak almost no Khmer, the main language in Cambodia. However, when we were in the field with OpASHA staff members we were treated like friends. The trust that community members have with their field staff was extended to us. This trust is a large part of what enables OpASHA to do such good work. The community welcomes them in and is willing to partner with them to help find TB suspects and support each other through treatment. They work hand-in-hand to understand any obstacles to care the community faces and develop practical solutions.<\/p>\n
The importance of this relationship was crystallized during our trip to Mondulkiri province. Mondulkiri is an extremely rural province and about 50 per cent of the people in Mondulkiri are indigenous peoples. These groups tend to live in very small villages in very basic housing. They also rarely speak Khmer. Instead, they speak a huge variety of indigenous languages. In a training of 17 people, there were 11 distinct languages spoken. The roads in Mondulkiri are predominantly dirt and many of them are too small for cars, making these communities accessible only by bike or non-motorized means. A consequence of the dirt roads is that during the rainy seasons, the roads will wash out making it impossible to get anywhere. One of our most entertaining memories was when it started to rain while we were at a training and the head of our partner organization warned us that if it continued for an hour or more, we would be sleeping where we were. Thankfully, it did not.<\/p>\n
To provide TB care in Mondulkiri OpASHA and their partner organization, the Indigenous Peoples Health Improvement Assocation (IPHIA) works with a government run program, the Village Health Social Groups (VHSGs) to serve in place of OpASHA\u2019s regular field staff. Although the VHSGs are supposed to be compensated by the government, in Mondulkiri they currently are not. Finally, in Mondulkiri many more people have misconceptions about what TB and how it can be treated, so a huge am Our experience was exactly the opposite. Despite not being compensated, new VHSGs are (metaphorically) lining up out the door to take the place of VHSGs who can no longer afford to keep the job. OpASHA, IPHIA and the VHSGs work together to ensure that someone who speaks the language of a particular group consistently works there, which builds a trusting relationship. Together, these groups are able to overcome a seemingly endless list of obstacles to ensure that their community can get the care and treatment it needs.<\/p>\n Shortly after our trip, I saw a quote that I thought perfectly described the perseverance and innovation that I saw in Cambodia. \u201cAut Viam inveniam aut faciam<\/em>\u201d, latin for \u201cI shall either find a way or make one.\u201d Through working with members of rural communities and other NGOs, OpASHA employees are able to create new ways to provide their patients excellent TB care. This agility and spirit of innovation is apparent in everything they do.<\/p>\n Having come back from Cambodia, I feel as though I have gained the \u201cno-excuses\u201d mentality that was present in every person we worked with. Healthcare is the developing world has many huge challenges and I believe that, that mindset is necessary to create actual changes. Seeing the difference that passionate, committed people can make in others daily lives was incredibly inspiring and has rejuvenated my dedication to being a change-maker.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I have often heard people insist that certain measures, laws, or changes cannot be made because doing so would just be too difficult. We can\u2019t ensure proper healthcare for everyone, we can\u2019t give everyone housing, and we can\u2019t end discrimination. … Continue reading <\/a>ount of education is needed. My initial impression was that Mondulkiri was a place where it might actually be reasonable to say that TB care would be too difficult to and move on to somewhere with fewer challenges.<\/p>\n<\/a>Working with OpASHA in Cambodia reaffirmed my suspicion that I want to work in health in the developing world. It is an ever-changing field that requires, drive, passion and enthusiasm. The challenges are arguably the greatest there, but success is, in my experience, the most rewarding. I also had the opportunity to work in maternal and child health, a field I had not explored much, but have discovered that I love.<\/p>\n