AHHA Newsletter Jan - Dec 2018 Issue 18

NEWSLETTER

Issue 18. January - December 2018

Giving sight to change lives

EDITOR’S WORDS Welcome to the 18th edition of AHHA newsletter which will be an annual publication starting with this one.

We always strive to keep you, the readers well informed and engaged. There’s much to celebrate for the past 16 years of achievements. AHHA has carried out 7,687 cataract operations, 7,936 dental procedures, and distributed 7,200 water filter units, tens of thousands of food packages, medicines, prescription glasses & sun glasses, scholarships, disaster recovery aid in Australia & overseas and more.

While it’s difficult to put in a dollar value the benefits of giving over these years, we estimate it to be in the tens of millions. The passion and commitment of AHHA volunteers is priceless and of course our generous supporters (big & small) all help to make it possible. A rooftop shout “thank you” to all the kind hearted volunteers and supporters.

Your collective efforts have made a huge difference to all the needy people we serve.

This issue covers a heart warming story of a special patient named Pok who was deaf, mute & blind, and how AHHA helped him regain his vision in the August field trip.

Volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year on various activities to raise funds. This year a new & fun initiative the “Charity Soccer Match” between AHHA volunteers and Macquarie Bank staff was a big success. I encourage you to browse through the pages and to find out what we have installed for you. Happy reading!

My special thanks to all the contributors to this issue especially Ted. Happy holidays!

Best, Stephanie Wong

Letter from the Chairman Writer Dr William Trinh

Photo Courtesy: Dr Daniel Kim Mr Van Tay Nguyen Dr Hung Duong Ms Tanya Anhtuan Ms Dieu Ngoc Truong Mr Loc Cung Mr Adrian Lee Dr Tam Tran Dr Troy Lim-Joon Mr Glenn Hale Mr Ted Mlynarz Ms Marie Myers Ms Stephanie Wong

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Dear supporters, I am glad to report that in 2018 AHHA has been able to continue successfully in providing health, education and humanitarian aid to the underprivileged. Early February this year, I was able to travel with a small team of volunteers - Ted, Charles, Ian, Stephanie and William Jnr, to several remote villages in Cambodia to distribute hundreds of water filter units to poor families and also to screen hundreds of patients for cataract surgeries. The roads to these villages were rough and difficult.

However, these field trips always give me to the opportunity to see and understand the poor living conditions the villagers endure and how AHHA’s work can make a difference to their lives.

HIGHLIGHTS

The highlight of our AHHA’s work every year is the field trip to Cambodia and Vietnam in August. This year, we were very fortunate to have a record number of volunteers participate in the field trips. For the first time, we had volunteers travelling from New Zealand to join us. We were able to provide hundreds of cataract surgeries for the poor sighted patients, thousands of dental treatments for hundreds of children with challenging medical conditions, medicines, prescription spectacles, sunglasses, thousands of water filter units and food parcels to poor families. We also believe in empowering the underprivileged by providing education to medical, dental students and doctors with workshops, conferences and scholarships. I encourage you to read the full field trip report by our CEO, Ted Mlynarz.

AHHA’s charity work is completely funded by our sponsors, our volunteers and Australian public. We continue to do well with our regular Sunday BBQ fundraising in Cabramatta. Our annual dinner fundraisers in Sydney and Melbourne in May went well with our special honoured guests Cambodian Princess Sita Norodom and Mr Kris Cvejic. This year, we launched the inaugural soccer charity match between AHHA volunteers and Macquarie Bank employees. We are very grateful to Macquarie Bank, its employees, especially Ms Madeleine Hoang for their support and the opportunity to speak to them at their morning

tea. We hope it will be an annual event. In September, AHHA in collaboration with Rotary Club of Liverpool West helped to raise fund for the Miracle Babies Foundation which supports premature and sick newborns, their families and the hospitals that care for them.

The existence and success of AHHA completely depends on the generous donations from our donors like you and from the dedication of our volunteers. I would like to take this opportunity to say big “Thank you” for your continued support, our management committee members who work tirelessly and hundreds of volunteers from across Australia, UK and New Zealand making sacrifices to offer their valuable time, expertise to help AHHA to continue its wonderful work to make a positive impact on many underprivileged lives.

Finally, I would like to wish you and your family a happy holiday season and prosperous, healthy New Year.

Kind regards, Dr William Trinh Chairman

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 3

2018 Field Trip Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz

“Our work has a greater impact than we may ever know” Humanitarian organisations all over the world are providing for the poor and needy in many different ways. The work they do is never ending, with poverty and suffering existing in every corner of the world.

Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) has been engaged in charitable work since 2003 and has impacted on the lives of many people who otherwise would not be in a position to receive life changing treatment. These people can again become active members of their communities.

The annual AHHA Field Trip commenced on the 11th August and continued till the 24th August 2018, visiting both Cambodia and Vietnam. Just after midnight on the 11th August a group of volunteers flew out from Melbourne headed for Phnom Penh with the Sydney contingent assembling at Sydney airport at 5:30 am to join them. Volunteers from South Australia, Queensland and New Zealand also departed for Cambodia from their respective locations.

Over 100 volunteers participated during the 2018 Field Trip in various activities including eye surgery, dental treatment and humanitarian work. The entire

mission could have been a logistics nightmare, however, due to prior preparation and assistance from our partners in Cambodia (Khmer Sight Foundation - KSF) and thanks to the hard-working volunteers, equipment was assembled and supplies arranged to commence operations.

Donated equipment of a bulky and/ or heavy nature was shipped to Cambodia in advance of the mission.

A special note of appreciation to HAI SON Shipping & Transport Pty Ltd, Revesby NSW for their support and arranging for shipping the equipment.

As was experienced during the 2017 field trip, when flying into Phnom Penh, due to severe monsoonal rains the land was saturated and extensive flooding was visible. The transport of patients from outlying areas became a concern. This concern was soon alleviated with large numbers of prescreened patients being presented.

EYE/CATARACT Eye surgery took place at the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital in Phnom Penh.

The operating theatre was prepared on Sunday 12th August and all was in readiness for eye surgery to commence on the Monday.

Screening of patients had taken place over many months by AHHA’s Cambodian partner, Khmer Sight Foundation (KSF), volunteers. During February 2018, a small contingent of AHHA volunteers travelled to isolated villages in the Kampong Speu Province to conduct screening with KSF. 120 families were examined and each family was presented with a Water Filter Kit. Patients were transported to the hospital for registration and admission, as would happen in any hospital in Australia. This was followed by preparation for medical examination and optometry testing to determine

4 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

the extent of the patient’s condition and fitness for surgery.

Eye surgery commenced on Monday with 498 cataract operations being undertaken over the time of the mission.

DENTAL The AHHA Dental Team was located at the University of Puthisastra Dental Clinic in Phnom Penh.

As with the Eye team, the Dental team set up on Sunday 12th August in readiness for an influx of patients on Monday. These mainly consisted of Special Needs and Orphaned children.

As the patients arrived, it was noticed that some to the disabled children were using old and dilapidated wheelchairs.

Soon, the AHHA volunteers collected sufficient funds to enable the purchase of new wheelchairs which were presented to the patients upon completion of

HIGHLIGHTS

their treatment. The Dental Team had screened 756 patients and carried out 2008 treatments.

HUMANITARIAN Apart from Eye surgery and Dental treatment, AHHA undertakes involved Humanitarian activities.

Several trips to isolated and outlying villages took to distribute Water Filter kits together with Food Parcel, Sunglasses and Eye Drops.

Villages visited included one in Kandal Province which is simply referred to as Village No 9. To reach this village, volunteers had to transfer to smaller and local means of transport. This was mainly due to monsoonal flooding and the isolation.

Other villages visited were St Mary Magdalane Church at Svay Pak, Russekeo just outside of Phnom Penh and Prek Prang Noodle, a floating

village requiring local boats to transport the volunteers.

During the 2018 field trip, 2000 Water Filter Kits and Food parcels were distributed together with 660 Sunglasses and 300 Lubricating Eye Drops.

Cambodia Field Trip Results CATARACT

TRAINING SEMINARS Over recent missions, AHHA has arranged and undertaken training seminars for local medical professionals and university students.

As well as conducting the seminars in Ophthalmology and Dental procedure, the Cambodian volunteers consisted of university students who worked close with AHHA doctors, surgeons and dentists providing interpreter services.

The Ophthalmology Seminar was attended by 105 local participants while the Dental Seminar attracted 80 local dentists and university students.

Patients Screened Eye Operations

910 498

DENTAL Patients Screened Dental Treatments

756 2008

HUMANITARIAN Water Filter Kits

2000

Food Parcels

2000

Sunglasses 660 Lubricating Eye Drops

300

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 5

Cool, Clean Water Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz

“Water is a transparent, tasteless, odourless, and nearly colourless chemical substance which is the main constituent of Earth’s streams, lakes, and oceans, and the fluids of most living organisms.

It is vital for all known forms of life, even though is provides no calories or organic nutrients.” (Wikipedia).

“The water in our bodies is essential for life.

Water is involved in every bodily function from digestion and circulation through to the control of bodily temperature and the excretion of waste products.” (Wikipedia) In most developed countries clean water is taken for granted, however, in many countries around the world only dirty, contaminated water is available for human consumption causing health and survival problems.

Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) has been engaged in humanitarian work for many years,

distributing food parcels and other essentials while visiting isolated and remote villages in both Vietnam and Cambodia. In 2016, a Water Filter Project was established which provides free water filtering kits with several thousand kits having been distributed.

During the 2018 field trip, volunteers travelled to several remote villages where clean water was not readily available and distributed 2000 kits, these consist of the Water Filter Kit and new clean plastic buckets, assembled for immediate use. Villagers were instructed on the assembly, use, care and maintenance of the kits.

The filter kits comprise of a simple portable filtration system attached to a plastic bucket from which the dirty water is filtered providing up to 20 litres of clean water, per day, suitable for human consumption. The filter itself has an operating life of around 10 years providing clean uncontaminated water. The filter is able to remove Bacteria such as cholera, botulism, typhoid, amoebic dysentery, E. Coli, coliform bacteria, streptococcus and salmonella, as well as, Protozoan (Cyst).

“When people have access to clean water and sanitation, waterborne diseases decrease, children stay healthy and attend school more regularly, and mothers can spend less time carrying water and more time helping their families” (Rotary International).

“The charitable work of volunteers is a never ending task.”

People all over the world are suffering from illness, poverty and natural disasters. They are in dire need of any assistance which can be provided.

Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) has now been operating for 15 years and takes up any opportunity to help those in need.

During February 2018, a small team of AHHA volunteers travelled to Cambodia to continue the charitable work as well as engage in planning and organising facilities for the upcoming annual field trip in August 2018, when over 100 volunteers will travel from Australia to continue helping those in need.

The team, consisting of Dr William Trinh, Stephanie Wong, Billy Trinh, Charles Hili, Ian Brookes and Ted Mlynarz arrived in Phnom Penh on Monday 12th February 2018. Prior arrangements had been made to visit several facilities and conduct meetings important to the future work of AHHA. Two field trips took place, the first, to a village called Toul Chher Neang about

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HIGHLIGHTS

Mini Field Trip to Cambodia February 2018 Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz

100 kms west of Phnom Penh, in the Aoral District of Kampong Speu Province. Screening of 120 families was conducted with around 30 cataract conditions requiring surgery. Water filtering kits were also assembled and distributed.

The second trip was to a very remote/ isolated village in Kandal Province consisting of displaced Vietnamese people. Fresh water is usually trucked

in for purchase by the villagers. The water filtering kits will provide self sufficiency and provide financial relief.

Further kits were distributed to a village called Cho Let Det, which is so remote the bus was not able to proceed the final 7 kms and was met by senior village members who accepted the kits and carried them to the village.

In all, around 400 water filtering kits were distributed.

The screening, water filter kit distribution and meetings would not have been possible without the assistance of the Khmer Sight Foundation and its volunteers. Their co-operation and hard work during this trip are very much appreciated.

A visit to the new Medical Facility where future cataract operations will take place also took place.

Meetings - University of Health Sciences (UHS) – met with Prof. Saphonn Vonthanak, Rector, discussed collaboration with future AHHA and Khmer Sight Foundation (KSF) work and possible medical scholarship for disadvantaged students.

- University of Puthisastra – met with Professor Callum Durwood discussed continued collaboration and possible dental scholarships for disadvantaged students.

- Brien Holden Vision Institute – visited/ toured the centre with view of future collaboration.

- Raffles Medical Centre – discussed availability of medical facilities and services for volunteers who may become seriously ill or injured during future field trips.

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 7

He is no longer blind Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz

Cataract operations are performed by highly skilled and highly trained surgeons, Ophthalmologists, ably assisted by professional nurses.

Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) is fortunate to be associated with some extremely dedicated surgeons and nurses who give of their time and skill to help those who

otherwise would not be able to obtain medical assistance to correct blindness caused by cataract.

Every AHHA Field Trip (this was number 16) a patient is presented and considered as a “Special” case. On the 18th August 2018, a young man, named Pok Lay, aged 22 years, from Kampong Thom Province (200 kms north of Phnom Penh), arrived at the hospital for cataract surgery.

Pok is deaf, mute and blind. The blindness was caused by cataract.

Following admission registration and all the necessary medical, health and optometry examinations, Pok was presented for cataract surgery. Due to his disabilities, instructions from the medical personnel, surgeons and theatre staff was by touch to ensure that he was properly prepared for the operation.

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Pok was carried to the operating table by the Anaesthetist and had no idea what was happening. With great skill and experience of the theatre staff, nurses and the surgeon extracted the cataract and completed the operation.

Pok had to be carried out after surgery and processed through post-op.

The success of the operation was not able to be determined until the protective eye pad was removed the next day. To the joy of Pok, his family and the surgical staff, he was able to see and would return to his village with one less disability.

He is no longer blind.

The operation was relatively simple and was completed within 15 minutes.

Fifteen minutes which changed Pok’s life, and that of his family.

It is events such as this that make the missions by AHHA worthwhile. Each and every volunteer experiences their own never to be forgotten “special” case. We are all affected by the strength of the patients and their resilience under very trying and poor living conditions.

Downstairs GP room

HIGHLIGHTS Downstairs Optom room

Expanding Our Horizons Writers Mr Ted Mlynarz, Ms Stephanie Wong

2018 Myanmar Photos

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) is a country in S/E Asia with a population of around 54 million people. The general state of health care is poor and public hospitals lack many basic facilities and equipment.

018 Hospital

In early April 2018, several Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) representatives travelled to Myanmar on a feasibility study trip to determine if there was a possibility for AHHA to be of assistance and provide cataract operations and humanitarian assistance to the poor. The team consisted of Ms Thuy Nguyen, Ms Stephanie Wong, Dr David Worsnop and Dr Juliana Chong.

6th Apr 2018 Myanmar has 350 gon Eye Hospital

poor and needy are located.

A visit to the Yangon Eye Hospital revealed that some equipment exists as well as facilities which could be suitable for AHHA activities and schedules, staffing and timing could work within the requirements of an AHHA team.

We also visited a local eye charity group and the Tipihtaka Eye Clinic (monastery eye clinic) provided us with some valuable information about cataract operations within Yangon and the surrounding areas.

to 1 floor

Anaesthetist room

In Myanmar, people living away from the regional city of Yangon rely on rivers or wells for their drinking water. This is usually polluted. There are also slum areas in and around Yangon where clean water is not readily available.

If AHHA is to operate in Myanmar, the distribution of the Water Filtering Systems would be included.

2018 Myanmar Photos Many factors will decide the feasibility

Contacts have been established and and government agencies can be provided.

AHHA management has discussed the information provided in the feasibility report and has determined that an official visit may be undertaken, in the near future, to discuss in detail of how

Upstairs theatre room 1 assistance with work permits

Ophthalmologists and 74 Eye Centres, however, the necessary medical equipment to st perform cataract operations is usually not available in areas outside the major cities and centres where most of the

AHHA may be able to help the poor and disadvantaged in Myanmar.

Large patient waiting area

of AHHA providing its services to the people of Myanmar. These are being investigated and further communication and discussion with government authorities and establishing partnerships with Myanmar charitable organisations need to be undertaken.

Upstairs Anaesthetist room

Anaesthetist room

Myanmar Photos Downstairs GP room

Lify

Lifts to 1st floor

Large patient waiting area

Theatre room

Sterilising room

room ent waiting Theatre area with benches

Patient waiting area with benches

Sterilising room

Sterilising room

Upstairs sterilising room

Anaesthetist room

Do

Anaesthetist

Theatre room

Sterilising room

Th

Theatre room

Patient waitingarea area with benches Anaesthetist Sterilising room Theatre r e patient waiting room Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 9

Thank You 2018 Field Trip Volunteers Writer Ms Stephanie Wong AHHA wishes to thank each and everyone of our 2018 humanitarian field trip volunteers. We are most grateful for their commitment, compassion and generosity which contributed to another great successful mission.

It takes enormous commitment, personal sacrifice and of course great leadership and teamwork to make each mission successful.

Ms Tanya Anh-Tuan Dr Glenn Bakyew Ms Narelle Bakyew Ms Alison Baum Mr Ian Brookes Mr Joseph Cauchi Dr Elsie Chan Dr Andrew Chang Dr Yvonne Chau Ms Socheata Chea Mrs Alison Chong Dr Daniel Chu Ms Donna Corcoran Dr Ryan Cornish Ms Amanda Cunningham Ms Maria Dang Dr Joseph Do Ms Linda Thuy Trang Do Ms Vicki Dodd Dr Hung Duong Dr Linda Duong Dr Alan Fitzpatrick Ms Isabel Foo Dr Kevin Foo Dr Trevor Gin Dr Oanh Ha Mr Glenn Hale

Ms Fiona Hales Mr Charles Hilli Ms Trudy Ho Dr Son Huynh Dr Niv Kamalendran Mr Peter Kandasamy Miss Caitlyn Kim Ms Cindy Kim Dr Daniel Kim Dr Elizabeth Lam Dr Phuong Anh Lam Mr James Leahy Ms Alicia Ledger Ms Andrea Lee Ms Hannah Lim-Joon Dr Troy Lim-Joon Dr Lance Liu Miss Natalie Liu Mr Matt Lollback Ms Monica Luong Mrs Nicola Lynn Dr Rex Martin Mrs Anne Martin Ms Shelley Marx Mr Ted Mlynarz Dr Audrey Murugesan Ms Marie Myers

Dr Ghita Nair-Smith Dr Andrew Narita Mr Callum Narita Dr Arun Natarajan Miss Kelly Ng Dr James Ngo Dr Phuc Ngo Ms Ku Ngov Ms Sivhour Ngov Dr Chinh Nguyen Ms Christine Nguyen Dr Minh Nguyen Ms My Trang Nguyen Miss Sereena Nguyen Mst Thomas Nguyen Ms Thuy Nguyen Dr Tuan Nguyen Mr Van Tay Nguyen Dr Vivien Nguyen Dr Vu Nguyen Miss Felicity Pham Ms Julie Pham Ms Louise Pham Dr Tho Pham Dr Thomas Pham Ms Joane Rehe Ms Kate Ricardo

Dr Loren Rose Dr Michael Stefanescu Dr David Tang Mrs Tracey Tang Ms Barbara Tarrant Taylor Mrs Alison Tran Mrs Chau Tran Mrs Ha Tran Mrs Hang Tran Dr Hien Tran Dr Hung Tran Mr Michael Man Tran Dr Minh Khanh Tran Ms My Linh Tran Ms My Phung Tran Dr Tam Tran Dr William Trinh Ms Dieu Ngoc Truong Dr Khanh-Tien Truong Dr Thanh Truong Mr Frederick Van Urk Dr Patrick Wong Ms Stephanie Wong Ms Winnie Zhang

All volunteers pay for their own expenses including airfares, accommodation, transportation and meals.

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OUR VOLUNTEERS

Thank You

Khmer Sight Foundation Volunteers Writer Ms Stephanie Wong We would like to acknowledge the support of Mr Sean Ngu of Khmer Sight Foundation (KSF), Prof Meng Nguy of Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital, Prof Callum Durward of Puthisatra University (UP), Ms Serey Chea of Cambodia National Bank and all the medical doctor and student volunteers. Their enthusiasm and assistance was invaluable.

Together we have accomplished wonderful life changing work for so many impoverished Cambodians during the 2018 mission.

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 11

Excerpt from Eye on Macquarie: A newsletter from MQ Health Ophthalmology Spring 2018

Eye on Macquarie

A NEWSLETTER FROM MQ HEALTH OPHTHALMOLOGY SPRING 2018

At MQ Health Ophthalmology our ophthalmologists are actively involved in research, lecturing, teaching & training, keeping them at the forefront of the latest techniques and evidence-based treatments. In this edition Dr Loren Rose writes about her receent trip to Cambodia with Australian Humanitarian Health Aid and Dr Amy Pai presents an unusual case of floaters.

DR LOREN ROSE VOLUNTEERS IN CAMBODIA DR LOREN ROSE Paediatric & Adult Strabismus and Cataract Surgeon I had the privilege to travel to Cambodia to perform eye cataract surgery as part of a charity, Australian Humanitarian Health Aid (AHHA) in August this year. This was my second trip with the group and was a huge success. The purpose of the trip was to provide free Cataract surgery, Medical and Dental services to poor and needy people from rural areas of Cambodia who otherwise would not have access to these medical and dental services.

The eye team was made up of 2 groups each going for 5 days which consisted of orthoptist, optometrist, GPs, anaesthetist and ophthalmologist like myself. We came from all areas of Australia. Together nearly a thousand patients were screened and 498 eye surgeries were performed. Most of these patients were light perception in both eyes and needed help to walk into the theatres for their surgery.

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The other humanitarian activities included a dental team treating mainly special needs and orphaned children and provided over 2000 dental procedures. Also 2000 water filters were distributed to remote and isolated villages and communities where clean water is not available and had been affected by seasonal monsoon rains and flooding. Food parcels and financial assistance were also provided



My first AHHA Volunteer Experience

OUR VOLUNTEERS

st AHHA Volunteer Experience

of them had no brakes, so it was said with humour “brace the bed” prior to helping the patient.

was to Cambodia with AHHA in August 2018.

at e

Many of our Cambodian patients did not speak English and we practised a few basic Cambodian words with them – “dip dip” (move up) and “lee hai” (goodbye) – are just a couple of our favourites. We also had a beautiful Cambodian nurse (Dina) who was invaluable to us as an interpreter.

my

The patients would lie so still during their procedure, some difficult cataracts taking up to an hour to complete.

After the surgery, the patients would never leave without acknowledging the surgeon and staff. Just by the look on their faces, we knew they were grateful.

se

Our days were long and I was amazed at the energy that everyone had, even at the end of a 12 hour day. The surgeons and nurses worked tirelessly and without complaint. Each day ended with laughter and good food.

Writer Ms Vicki Dodd

her in the hotel lobby and we were driven to the hospital. You couldn’t er and laughter on the half hour bus ride. Everyone was full of energy and My first AHHA volunteer experience was to Cambodia in August 2018.

the hospital. You couldn’t hear yourself think due to the chatter and laughter on walk the stairs to the area assigned to the eye group. We would be the half hour bus ride. Everyone was full I met some of the AHHA group at Changi bodian women and men. The patients wouldofbeenergy screened and by the and ready for a long day. airport in Singapore en route to Phnom

various volunteers. I would liken the scene to organised chaos. The Penh. They immediately put me at ease.

At the hospital, we walk up the flight of e their local anaesthetic, their eyes were bathed in Betadine solution and Every volunteer had smiles filling their stairs to the area assigned to the eye on the operating faces and table. they warmly welcomed me group. We would be surrounded by

the group. smiling Cambodian women and rting theinto patient into the theatre and helping anxious, them onto the operating men.

The patients would be screened Day one volunteering at the Khmer mentary - one of them had no brakes, so it was said with humour “brace the

and by the Optometrists, Orthoptists; Soviet Friendship Hospital opened my GP’s and various volunteers. I would eyes to the struggles of Cambodians liken the to organised from some thepractised poorest regions in t speak English andofwe a few basic words – scene “dip dip” (move chaos. up) The patients would then proceed to have Cambodia. We also had a beautiful Cambodian nurse (Dina) who was f our favourites. their local anaesthetic, their eyes were I worked with a dedicated group of bathed in Betadine solution and they ophthalmologists performing cataract waited patiently for their turn on the operations. I was a scout nurse in the operating table. operating theatre. My sister was one of My volunteering work included escorting the scrub nurses and it was a pleasure the patient into the theatre and helping to watch her in “action”. them onto the operating bed. The Every morning at 7am we would gather operating beds were rudimentary - one in the hotel lobby and we were driven to f.

ed

The following day, we would see the post - op patients who were eager to have their eye pads removed. Most had been sleeping on the hospital balcony floor overnight. I had the privilege one morning to watch as their eye patches were removed and they were able to see for the first time in many years. The scene still gives me goose bumps and brings tears to my eyes. It was such a humbling experience.

Over the week 498 cataract surgeries were performed.

An amazing accomplishment.

We also got to see smiles on children’s faces as we handed out toys and trinkets.

AHHA continued their charity work and did day trips to outlying rural areas delivering portable water filters to the villages. I hope to be invited back next year and I would love to have the opportunity to be involved in this project as well.

It was a privilege belonging to such an incredible volunteer organisation.

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 13

Can we make a difference?

“Susadei” (Soos-a-day) / Hello (informal Cambodian greeting) my fellow AHHA volunteers. My name is Glenn Hale and this was my third trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

In my first year as a volunteer, I worked in the Dental School at the University of Puthisastra (UP). My main role was to assist the local staff by sterilising dental equipment and preparing relevant instruments on examination and extraction trays. I quickly learnt the names of the different tools used

Writer Mr Glenn Hale

to extract molars and premolars and have brushed my teeth twice a day ever since!

During my second year, I worked with the Eye team at the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital. My responsibilities included a range of activities from crowd control, numbering patients and administering eye drops, to being Donald Trump’s (aka Michael Man Tran’s) apprentice and learning the dayto-day operation of organising meals and transport for 80+ AHHA volunteers.

14 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

This year I returned to the Dental team and was assigned the role of logistics co-ordinator in week 1. Responsibilities included transportation of equipment and supplies, stocking the esky with drinks, setting up and maintaining the coffee machine (more important than you think), greeting patients on arrival and directing them to the waiting area for numbering and registration. An enjoyable part of my role was engaging with children, teenagers and adults and trying to put a smile on their faces to ease the tension as many patients had never visited a doctor before let alone a “scary” dentist combined with those weird drilling and sucking noises.

I recall talking to a teenager who was visually impaired. He attended school daily, spoke English very well and just like a typical Aussie teenager was “into” computers. I could tell he was an intelligent kid and as it turns out, he had great teeth as well! He patiently waited for a few hours until the bus arrived amusing himself by touching, feeling and smelling the pot-plant that I carefully described next to him (Figure 1). A young girl came outside and “checked out” her new dental work by looking apprehensively into the rearvision mirror of a car parked in the driveway (Figure 2). I gave her the thumbs up which drew a wry smile. Providing small cups of water to thirsty patients, some of whom had travelled up to 4 hours, was all part of the AHHA care.

Some children needed reassuring while others left with a big smile on their face (Figure 3) but I guess it all depended on the dental work administered. I hear on the grapevine that some patients delay surgery until they know we (AHHA) are coming because of the extra care and attention we give our patients. Also, we are one of the only groups who deal with children with special needs. All it takes is a little more care and compassion and this world would be a much better place. At the end of the day we are all human, and factors like ethnicity, gender, religion, HIV positive should not determine whether treatment is given or not. Ideally everyone should be treated the same, with dignity and respect.

re 8.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Undoubtedly the most popular attraction at the university was the TV in the main reception area. Children and adults (including ourselves) were captured by the Khmer version of Tom & Jerry. Anything that created a distraction was a good thing as it took the mind off what was about to happen.

Before they knew it, it was their turn and in they went. At one stage we had 13 children sitting in 8 seats but hey “ya gotta do, what ya gotta do”!

My other role prior to the field trip was chairing the Melbourne Fundraising Committee. A small group of seven planned a dinner for 130 guests at Bayview Eden in May which raised over $10,000 towards this year’s mission.

Our special guest was HRH Princess Sita Norodom and her fiancé Kristjan who attended back-to-back fundraising dinners in Sydney and Melbourne. I was also responsible for being the “Royal tour guide”, showing them around our great city.

Our first stop was lunch at Young & Jackson’s that showcased the famous nude painting of CHLOE (a mascot for the HMAS Melbourne) which has graced the walls of this iconic hotel for over 100 years. This was followed by a casual stroll around the CBD to appreciate Melbourne’s cultural heritage and street art with stops at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Hosier Lane, and the historic Block andextraction Royal Arcadesat – UP to Post-op tooth

Figure 1

see Gog and Magog (tourist attraction).

During our walking tour, I noticed the Princess (and others) were mesmerised by the mouth-watering treats on display in the window of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms so I made a lunch ‘reservation’ for the next day prior to their departure home to Phnom Penh.

in two weeks we screened over 1,600 patients and performed more than 2,500 procedures (eye and dental team combined). An amazing effort by everyone that we should all be very proud of. Keep up the great work and I look forward to coming back next year but only if Michael doesn’t say “YOU’RE FIRED”!!!

Figure 6. Visually impaired teenager feeling the pot-plant wh

So, can we make a difference? Yes – as an individual and it doesn’t matter how big or small the contribution is. And an even bigger YES as a group because Dental Clinic.

“Arkun” (Ar-koon) / Thank you

Figure 6. Visually impaired teenager feeling the pot-plant whilst waiting for his bus to return

Figure 2

Figure 7. Checking out their new dental work.

Figure 3

Figure 7. Checking out their new dental work.

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 15

Volunteer Experience: Matthew Lollback

with AHHA was an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The appreciati all worthwhile.

Writer Mr Matthew Lollback My allocated 4am pickup time wasn’t a problem. What was a problem was the fact that I reside in a cul-de-sac, which turned a three point turn into a twenty three point turn for the unfortunate bus driver, Mr Thach. Volunteers in Sydney who opted to be picked up in the bus would know that there was a trailer attached to the bus to store our luggage for the trip to the airport. When Mr Thach made it to the cul-de-sac, I could see the trepidation in his eyes when he turned to me and asked, “Is there another way out?”

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At that point, I wished there was. I knew this was going to require a team effort to extract ourselves from the tight culde-sac. The pressure was on, there was no turning back now.

Other volunteers were waiting to be picked up.

“No, Mr Thach, there isn’t” I said.

I ran to the back of the bus to keep an eye on the trailer during the reversing manoeuvres as Mr Thach, carefully began his twenty three point turn. BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP. The dreaded bus reverse warning. At 4am, this is not only a reverse

warning; it also serves as an alarm clock for the residents in the street! While looking out the rear window of the bus, I’m sure I saw a blind or two flicker as bleary eyed residents strained for a look as to what was going on in their normally quiet street.

Keeping his nerve, Mr Thach pulled off one of the greatest twenty three point turns in history, and we eventually peeled away to pick up the next wave of volunteers.

I probably wouldn’t have been on the bus that morning, if it weren’t for Peter Kandasamy, my work colleague.

“Come to Cambodia Matt, you’ll have a good time” Peter kept telling me. We would catch up at work meetings and again he would enquire, “So Matt, are you coming? I’ve told William you are.” Well, that settles it then, I was coming. I do thank Peter for convincing me to tackle my first field trip with AHHA. My role for the 2018 field trip was in a technical capacity, and involved servicing the phacoemulsification equipment. The phaco machine is used by the surgeon for cataract removal.

Preparation for this began in January where Peter provided me with an update from a technical standpoint of each machine.

I then gathered the necessary spare parts I believed were required to allow me to service each machine once we were in Cambodia.

OUR VOLUNTEERS “Is there a particular area where you would like me to work?”

Without saying a word, Phung immediately pointed to a space near the door, and with that, I hung my head in shame and began the long trek (four steps) to my new home; the naughty corner. Seriously though Phung, thanks for allowing me to share your “real estate” for the week.

Early one morning, before the lists for the day had begun, Peter

Sunday morning for the eye team involved setting up at Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital. In the told meI one of the unitsthewasn’t accepting the FMS (cassette). afternoon, proceeded to service first of six machines. All machines were going to have a comp PM (preventative maintenance) service completed, as well as any outstanding items resolved that The cassette has a drainage bag to hold the aspirated cataract had flagged with me prior to the trip.

/ fluids and the procedure can’t begin without a cassette in

My “workshop” for the week would be a small space in Phung’s “IOL store.” Looking for an area to the machine. minimise when I first arrived,To I asked Phung, downtime, the floating (spare) phaco

machine was used.

Withyou thewould faulty “Is there a particular area where like unit me to back work?”in

the workshop, a fault was identified within the fluidics module. With the fluidics Without saying a word, Phung immediately pointed to a space near the door, and with that, I hung head in shame and began the the long trek (fourwas steps)completed to my new home; the naughty corner. Seriousl module replaced, service and all tests though Phung, thanks for allowing me to share your “real estate” for the week. passed. The machine was now ready to be released back into Early one morning, before the lists for the day had begun, Peter told me one of the units wasn’t acc service. This is one example of a repair that was carried out the FMS (cassette). The cassette has a drainage bag to hold the aspirated cataract / fluids and the procedure can’tvisit. begin without a cassette in the machine. To minimise downtime, the floating (spare during my

phaco machine was used. With the faulty unit back in the workshop, a fault was identified within the fluidics module. With the fluidics module replaced, the service was completed and all tests passed. machine was now ready to be released back into service. This is one example of a repair that was out during my visit.

True to the briefing provided by Michael Tran, we were greeted by the sea of yellow T-shirts upon our arrival at the airport.

The group as a whole, were welcoming and I immediately felt at ease. I was lucky enough to be seated next to Maria and Monica on the flight over. Just prior to landing, I peered out the window to see the expanse of water laying around. What a contrast between Phnom Penh and Sydney. For months, New South Wales couldn’t buy a drop of water and in early August it was declared 100% drought affected.

ion shown by the

Sunday morning for the eye team involved setting up at Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital. In the afternoon, I proceeded to service the first of six machines. All machines were going to have a complete PM (preventative maintenance) service completed, as well as any outstanding items resolved that Peter had flagged with me prior to the trip.

My “workshop” for the week would be a small space in Phung’s “IOL store.” Looking for an area to set up when I first arrived, I asked Phung,

During some downtime, I had the pleasure of meeting with some of the members of the Khmer Sight Foundation. The Foundation’s vision is to train upcoming eye care health professionals so the country can become self-reliant by administering its own eye care to those in need. I donated my spare scrubs to Houda, one of the members of the Foundation.

I guess he took a liking to them because when I caught up with him next, he had already changed into them! He was so grateful for them. Perhaps his way of thanking me was by asking me to participate in an interview. How could I refuse? The chance to be on camera - now we’re talking.

My first field trip with AHHA was an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The appreciation shown by the patients made it all worthwhile.

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 17

My First Humanitarian Aid Trip

Writer Ms Nikki Lynn

This was my first humanitarian aid trip and it will not be my last …

Volunteer Experience: Dr. Nivethanan Zealand. I was born in Sri Lanka Kamalendran d in 2009 from India and worked Writer Dr Nivethanan Kamalendran

ater I moved toisNew Zealand in My Name Nivethanan Kamalendran

living in Dunedin, New Zealand. I was born in Sri Lanka and then moved with my family and settled in India. I graduated in 2009 from India and worked there for a couple of years at a specialist paediatric hospital.

m the University of Otago with a

ng as a senior lecturer at the

Later I moved to New Zealand in 2012 to pursue from the University of Otago with a scholarship. I graduated in 2015 and I am currently working as a senior lecturer at the Department of Paediatric Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin New Zealand. My primary role at the University is teaching/supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students and also to build a warm environment, mentor and nurture students. Also, provide oral health care to medically compromised and special care children.

n New Zealand.

My primary role specialist training in Paediatric Dentistry

ostgraduate students and also to

lso, provide oral health care to

iety of Paediatric Dentistry and

I am an active member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry and Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. And I also attended numerous continuing education courses to keep up with the growing field of Paediatric Dentistry. Out of dentistry, I enjoy playing sports (mainly cricket) and spending valuable time with my family & friends.

attended numerous continuing

tric Dentistry. Out of dentistry, I

e with my family & friends.

This is my first year joining the AHHA family and my

d trip. I was introduced to AHHA first field trip. I was introduced to AHHA by a paediatric

dentistry society in Australia. I always interested in

d in doing some volunteer work, doing some volunteer work, and I thought this would

be an excellent opportunity for me to contribute to

contribute to cause. this Itgood cause.

It like-minded this good is always good to see

people coming together to make a change, be with

o makeone a another change, be with onehealth care of and improve the oral

ia.

children in Cambodia.

18 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

Hi, I am Nikki Lynn, a dental assistant at the Christchurch Public Hospital in New Zealand. I am not unfamiliar with volunteering as this is something I am quite passionate about and try to do on a regular basis each year here in Christchurch, however, a field trip to Cambodia was another level of volunteering!

Long story short I was familiar with University Puthisastra through a special needs dentist colleague of mine and had listened to a presentation she gave our dental assistant team about her field trip last year to treat a group of haemophiliacs that were unable to access dental care in Cambodia. As well as treating the patients they were also able to offer guidance to the dental students at the local university. This was when I decided that I would love to be able to do something similar, so I decided I would have a look around and research how I could be part of a dental aid team in the future.

Christmas came and went, and I never really thought it was something I would be able to do as my funds were very limited.

Then in February 2018, my Paediatric Dentist colleague sent me an e-mail asking if I would be interested in going on a dental aid mission in Cambodia at the University Puthisastra. I responded maybe but didn’t think it would be possible. He then sent me the link to AHHA, I had a read through all the field trip reports and immediately thought wow my dream could be a reality, and so I made it my mission to find out more.

After a few e-mails between my colleague and myself, and then Dr William Trinh and Trudy Ho and the promise of coconut and durian (thankfully Trudy never found the Durian to treat me with) I decided to go on the Field trip.

Flights organised, and vaccinations booked my next challenge was to fundraise to cover the cost of flights and accommodation fees.

I am lucky enough to have a supportive network of friends, and by the week before leaving we had raised the funds I needed to cover my costs.

Now I had to pack! I’ve never been to Cambodia, or Vietnam so had no idea what to expect or to pack. I just knew it had to be light, as I had to fit 200 children’s toothbrush sets in my bag that Colgate had donated to me to take.

Finally, bag packed I waved goodbye to my husband Andrew at the airport.

Then the panic set in! What am I doing I have no idea who this group is, are they even real!!? What will I be doing? Will I be of any use?

That’s when I decided I

OUR VOLUNTEERS have been, they could not communicate with us or us with them as language was a huge barrier, but none the less we managed and treated the worst of their tooth problems as time and resources would allow.

needed to introduce myself and rapidly sent a message on the shared group messenger. I posted not quite precisely this but something similar to, “nervous newbie leaving New Zealand look forward to meeting other volunteers in Singapore.”

As I sat at the boarding gate, I spotted what I thought was the first set of yellow shirts but no they were the cleaners. I continued to sit there nervously waiting I caught out the corner of my eye the sea of yellow that had previously been mentioned in other messages the team was heading my way! So why all the nerves I have no idea as I was approached and welcomed with hugs from the amazingly selfless AHHA family.

A couple of hours later we had landed in Cambodia, and the organised chaos began, passport control and baggage carousels are quite memorable.

Passports disappear and then reappear half an hour later, and then suddenly we find ourselves surrounded by boxes and trolley’s, and so then we start to work. We must’ve looked like a group of worker ants from a bird’s eye view above!

Eventually, we boarded the buses already hot and sweaty. I freaked at the traffic, the chaos and wondered whether we would even make it to the hotel. Eventually, we arrived safely at our destination.

After a morning of unpacking, we headed off on our first screening visit in a village. The children welcomed us in the school, I’m not sure if they knew what we were there for, but they certainly enjoyed getting their goody

bags with toothbrushes and stickers (thanks Colgate!).

The next day we received our 5 am morning call and headed to the clinic.

I spent much time with the paediatric specialist Yvonne. She was treating some of the more severely disabled children who were quite a challenge.

Their dental problems were quite severe, but we also had issues with their ability to open their mouths and lay still.

We created our version of a mouth prop and did the best we could with the limited resources and the abilities of the patients. One of the things I observed was the care and love these children had from their carers many of which were also volunteers.

My heart was warmed and glowing when at the end of the week the dentists had grouped together and purchased a considerable number of multifunctioning wheelchairs to be put to use at the orphanages where the disabled children had come from that we had treated.

In the second week, I was lucky enough to be joined on the field trip by my Paediatric Dental Specialist I work closely with in New Zealand, Dr Arun Natarajan. We were fortunate to be able to treat a number of children together including a small autistic child that we were able to treat with the help of oral sedation. Unfortunately, due to the children being transported on buses from great distances we were unable to use this on other children.

Over the two weeks, it struck me how the children walked nervously unsmiling into the unfamiliar, scary place of a dental clinic. How scared they must

It was quite rewarding to watch the children jump out of the dental chair with a massive smile on their faces bowing to us as a thank you. The admin ladies and doctors would then play balloon games outside in the sun or rain while they waited another couple of hours for their buses to take them back to their village, which could be another few hours’ drive away. There were occasions when the AHHA volunteers went out and purchased the children lunches from their own pockets as they had been with us for hours and they had seen in that time that the children had not been given any food.

Early starts and long days did take their toll, I was lucky not to get sick, but I did need to take an evening out to myself to reflect on my first few days of the trip. I openly admit I did shed a tear over the children and carers I had met during my time in Cambodia. What I did feel though was they are a very strong nation. They do not expect much and do not have much but are so polite and grateful for the help they were given.

What I liked about this trip was that as well as the aid we were giving, we were also helping the dental students upskill to treat children both healthy and with special needs children in the future.

Paediatric patients are challenging for dental students , especially with children who have special needs. Hopefully with the ongoing teaching that the AHHA dentists provide, more children with special needs will gain access to local dentists. Today’s dental students may become dentists who are confident in treating children of all needs.

This trip was truly amazing, humbling, heart breaking but also heart warming.

Although exhausting mentally and physically, I am determined to join AHHA again.

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 19

ded dental e e n y e th ly te ra e sp e d ough to see d cataracts dense en that bad Writer Miss Caitlyn Kim because it never gets . ing the work we were do There are some lessons thatd you otherAHHA’s mission is to bridge this gap and warmed my heart more to know that an with urseI straveled ors,atnschool. doctteach despite being far from home, around improve the quality of life of those in l the cannot e v a le s strangers and about to undergo dental my father who is a GP. It was to be my need through state-of-the-art care; and y a uld alw wovolunteer y teamdoing logexperience halmofirst treatment, they still managed to have work I was fortunate enough to work with to ls e d o m fun. Sometimes when my problems overseas. WhengI re the people making this happen. Over at atrothelehospital g such arrived r havin too big, I remember those in Phnom Penh, I did not know what the next few days we screened, treated, .and cared for as many seem m a te st ti p o h rt o e children, I remember Cambodia, and to expect.

We began to unload all the operated th help s anofd medicine rgerieboxes am inspired to face them. No challenge and as we carried patients as possible.

It was amazing to s, rd o w h it w m e th to te floor I got my first see how well the team worked together in my life will ever be as difficult as the theathird mutonic o comthem glimpse of where the team would be hoto y that everyone was looked daily struggles they conquer. After the thesure wmake w after. sa I , m o ro g in it a w brief visit, the media team and I stayed working for the next two weeks.

It was e s in th f o e not at all like the hospitals in Australia.

It g the week’s end, I got a quick around to help with the records and a ranBefore d n a ss e in p p a h , lm ca ness, is hard to describe the vast differences glimpseipof what the dental clinic paperwork. Most children had four or sh five extractions and fillings. It revealed in living conditions, facilities and patient of hard s e was like. Young children restlessly ri o St . ry o st t n re fe a dif care, but know that even though sat in chairs, talking to one another how desperately they needed dental d a worl omflight care. It was the same story with the Phnom Penhpisean eleven hour fr le p o and laughing. I was later informed y b d e d n u rro from Sydney, the two are worlds apart. that many were disabled, which only cataract surgeries. People had cataracts rnt to be e of selflessness. I lea s in their hearts. ld o h r e te n lu vo A H H A

My First AHHA Trip

20 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

dense enough to see from several metres away. In Australia, I did not see such things because it never gets that bad before the person is treated. This emphasised the importance of the work we were doing.

At the end of each day I was exhausted and can’t imagine how all the doctors, nurses and other volunteers, especially the ophthalmologists, managed. The ophthalmology team would always leave the hospital last – working tirelessly to operate. I am thankful for having such great role models to inspire me.

My job was to prepare patients for their cataract surgeries and help the orthoptist team. Throughout the week, I met so many different people. Unable to communicate to them with words, their emotions meant everything to me. When assisting patients in the waiting room, I saw how they displayed expressions of nervousness, contemplation, gratefulness, calm, happiness and a range of other feelings. It was then that I realised that each person had a different story. Stories of hardship and perseverance. Being there in Cambodia, with the team, surrounded by people from a world wholly unlike mine - I learnt something. I learnt the importance of selflessness. I learnt to be grateful. I learnt to care. And that is a lesson that I think every AHHA volunteer holds in their hearts.

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Cambodian Volunteers Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz The success of the work AHHA is involved and is reliant on many factors. One of these is the contribution and assistance provided by organisations and volunteers with which partner.

In Cambodia, AHHA has established a very successful partnership with the Khmer Sight Foundation (KSF) who provide valuable assistance with all aspects of the mission, particularly with communication and interpreter services.

The Eye, Dental and Humanitarian teams benefited from CAMBODIA VOLUNTEER S the local volunteers who not only assist with the language Writer: Mr Ted Mlynarz The succe barrier, they also provide an understanding of local culture ss of the work AHHA is involved in is relian t on many factors. One contribution and assistance of these is th provided by organisatio ns and volunteers with which and assuring patients, especially the elderly, apparently partner.

In Cambodia, AHHA has established a very succe ssful partn ership with the Khmer Sight (KSF) who provide a Foundatio valuable assistance with nervous and about to undergo their first surgical procedure. all aspects of the missio communication and n, partic

interpreter services. The ularly wit Eye, Dental and Humanitari the local volunteers an teams benef

who not only assist ited from with the theatre language barrier, they understandingto Two young ladies were allocated the Eye/Cataract of local also provide a cultur e and assuring patients, especially the elderly, appar about to undergo their first ently nervous and dure. area and provided invaluable servicesurgic toal proce ensure patients Two young ladies were allocated to the Eye/Catarac t theatre area and provid ensure patients understood ed invaluable service to proceeding understood proceedings and interpreted instructions s and interpreted instrufrom ctions from those treati ng them.

Marioth Ieng – 21 years of age, aspires to becom e a scrub nurse involved those treating them. with the experience to be with eye surgery. Is excite involved with the AHHA d

team and considers it as further her education. Mario a learning experience to th, from Kampong Thom province now lives in Phnom with KSF and works at Metro Penh. Volunteers Medical Centre.

Marioth Ieng – 21 years of age, aspires to become a scrub nurse involved with eye surgery.

Is excited with the experience to be involved with the AHHA team and considers it as a learning experience to further her education. Marioth, from Kampong Thom province now lives in Phnom Penh, volunteers with KSF and works at Metro Medical Centre. in Phnom Penh, also aspires to work with

Marioth Ieng

residing Dyna Poch – 23 Years old, from Battambang, now nts Department at Metro Medical Centre, Phnom eye surgery. Currently is involved in the Outpatie on.

Penh and volunteers with Khmer Sight Foundati

Dyna Poch – 23 Years old, from Battambang, now residing in Phnom Penh, also aspires to work with eye surgery. Currently is involved in the Outpatients Department at Metro Medical Centre, Phnom Penh and volunteers with Khmer Sight Foundation.

Delightful young ladies, providing invaluable assistance. e.

Delightful young ladies, providing invaluable assistanc

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 21

Volunteer Profile: Thuy Nguyen Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz

Thuy Nguyen is a Pharmacist who has been a volunteer with Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) and as previously known, Vietnam Vision Projects – Australia (VVP-A) since 2005, when she embarked on her first field trip with the group.

Born in the south of Vietnam during turbulent times and whose father was an ex-soldier of the Republic of South Vietnam, the family realised that their future life in Vietnam was not going to be easy and the opportunity to progress and improve their lives was minimal.

With the well-being of their children’s future in mind, her parents decided to send them abroad.

Thuy, her older sister and fiancé, as well as younger brother and 23 other people

escaped from Vietnam in a very small boat and arrived in Thailand in 1981.

The journey was not without incident, during the crossing from Vietnam to Thailand the boat was raided by pirates on three occasions. On the first and second incidents the refugees were robbed and then allowed to continue their voyage. On the third occasion, the pirates accompanied by at least six fishermen armed with pistols and knives threatened to take the female refugees with them and then sink the boat with all males and children still on board. Out of nowhere, a large Thai fishing boat appeared on the scene and rescued the refugees from the pirates and transported the them to Bangkok where representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for

22 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

Refugees (UNHCR) escorted them to a refugee camp in Songkhla in the south of Thailand.

This journey was the turning point in her life.

Having spent 6 months in Thailand at two refugee camps, Thuy’s parents planned to send them to the USA to reunite with family members, however, the group decided to join their elder brother (who arrived in September 1981) in Australia. A decision which has never been regretted.

In 1985, the family in Australia sponsored the remaining family members (grandmother, parents and 4 brothers and sisters) to join them in what they consider to be “God’s own country”.

With a limited English vocabulary, Thuy was determined to keep a promise she made to her father to obtain a university degree. With the help of her brother, sister, a part time job in a sewing factory and an education fund from the government, Thuy completed her Bachelor of Pharmacy at Sydney University and became a registered Pharmacist in 1988. In 2001, Thuy became a Member of Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy.

Upon attaining her degree, Thuy worked with three pharmacies for eight years, as Pharmacist in Charge at Cabramatta East Day & Night Pharmacy, Little Pharmacy in Ashfield and Churchill Pharmacy at Burwood. In 1995 Thuy acquired Darin’s Pharmacy in Parramatta and has been the proprietor since.

Thuy’s initial role with AHHA/VVP-A was that of Pharmacist. As each field trip approaches, stock of equipment, pharmaceuticals and a variety of items need to be organised and accounted for. Shortly after volunteering, Thuy was asked to undertake the Stock Manager’s position to look after all items and equipment and ensure they reached their destination/s. Thuy has undertaken this task for each field trip since 2005.

Thuy has been instrumental in organising the Humanitarian aspect for each field trip. During early missions, Thuy saw another avenue of charity which could be provided to help those in need. Apart from the important Cataract and Dental work which is provided, Thuy instigated humanitarian trips which initially provided for the distribution of food parcels and financial assistance for the unfortunate and poor people encountered on each trip.

Following a disastrous earthquake in Nepal in 2015, Thuy was emotionally affected by the plight of the people and the horrendous damage caused, leaving many without the essentials to survive.

Clean water is a precious commodity for survival anywhere in the world, Thuy thought long and hard about how she could help these people in the short and long term and researched the

OUR VOLUNTEERS internet to find possible ways to help and the best type of assistance she could provide. Her decision was Clean Water.

in Thuy’s life. Arriving in Australia with just the bare minimum in possessions, Thuy is grateful for the opportunities afforded to her and her family and considers that she has a duty to “pay back” and return as much as she can.

Fundraising commenced with family, relatives and friends and Thuy arranged for the purchase of tons of water With the travel undertaken with the purifying tablets from India and had charity work, the support from her them sent to Nepal to be distributed to husband and two sons has been the earthquake affected communities. outstanding. Thuy’s eldest son, Timothy, The tablets were a short-term solution is a registered volunteer with AHHA and further research led Thuy to a and has been on two field trips with Water Filter unit with a practical use the group. She is now encouraging time of around ten years. Since then, her younger son, Tony, a qualified thousands of these units have been Pharmacist and his cousins (Pharmacist two sons has nd andon husbaher distributed in areas where clean water andwithRegistered Nurse) to her join support from the charity work, the and has been on With the travel undertaken AHHA with teer volun ered is a regist Timothy, eldest son,field is not readily available. trips.

Husband Thuan hasPharmacist been outstanding. Thuyfuture younger son, Tony, a qualified . She is now encouraging her two field trips with the group field trips. Husband Thuan e futur on her Nurse) to join also been

by Rotary and teredrecognised Thuy’s main areas of charity and cousins (Pharmacist and Regis and his s Fellow.

Harri Paul y Rotar a of

by Rotary and is the recipient has also been recognised is the recipient of a Rotary Paul Harris humanitarian work have been in experience and guide the next generation to important to encourage and To Thuy, it is extremely Fellow.

Vietnam and Cambodia. However, she . continue the work we are doing

shows an interest in expanding her areas of operation and has recently travelled to Myanmar on an exploratory trip to determine if conditions and facilities are suitable for AHHA to visit and continue its work there.

Thuy practices meditation and is a member of the Truc Lam Zen Sect, and has been recognised for her charity and humanitarian work with the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) by the Rotary Club of Liverpool West.

To Thuy, it is extremely important to encourage and guide the next generation to experience and continue the work we are doing.

This says it All

Fundraising is an important aspect of charity and humanitarian work. Thuy is an ardent participant in fundraising activities to support the AHHA field trips and other functions which it is now involved with, these include natural disasters in Australia and overseas.

Thuy participates in all aspects of these fundraising activities.

Thuy’s involvement in charity, humanitarian and community work is inherited from her father who was very devoted to community support and help. His compassion for others has rubbed off on Thuy and considers him as her “Role Model”. Can you think of a better legacy that a father can leave his children?

Family support has been a major factor

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 23

Volunteer Profile: Jim Leahy Writer Mr Jim Leahy I belong to a large world family of 1.2million people called Rotary, in 2004 Dr Phuoc Vo & Dr Le Duc Hong came to our dinner meeting as guest speakers to promote Vietnam Vision. In 2005 these fellows returned to our meeting to report on their mission but also asked if some of our fellows would be prepared to come on the next trip as volunteers, so Max Bunter, Joe Cauchi, Frans Buskermolen & Jim Leahy set off with the team in August. In that year we moved so much gear moving to four hospitals. The team with the help of the Vietnamese Ophthalmologists from the Ho Chi Minh Eye Hospital successfully carried out 850 Cataract operations.

In Rotary one of the facets of membership is International Service where one volunteers their time & work to help people who are less fortunate, VVP & now as AHHA, is a wonderful example of helping people in need in this world. I have been a member of the Liverpool West Rotary Club for 35 years.

Jet fighter aeroplane, returning to Australia I found a position as a planner & Project engineer for Hyster Ltd., building Fork Trucks, from 5 ton to 30 ton high lift vehicles. The last 25 years I retrained in water & waste water, as a sales & engineering position with ITT, corporation now Xylem Inc.

My life has been full of experiences in travel & work, most of my working life has been in manufacturing, starting as a toolmaker then to mechanical & Production engineering In 1967-68 I worked in Montreal for Canadair, working in a very large office as a production tool designer helping to build the fuselage of the F1- 11

At home Sue & I have been married for 48 years & we have two, now adult persons, who are married with their own families. On occasion I play army golf, cycling on the bike track at Camden Park & fishing when the weather is favourable.

24 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

During my many years with AHHA I have met a great team of friends, likeminded

ROTARY RECOGNITION

OUR VOLUNTEERS

Rotary is a worldwide service organisation whose stated purpose is to bri walks of life to provide humanitarian service and advance goodwill and pe

This year, for service to charity and the community, the Rotary Club o recognised the contribution of people involved with Australian Health Hu

Rotary Recognition

Stephanie Wong – presented with a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) in recognit Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz as an AHHA volunteer. Her involvement with fundraising activitie Rotary is a worldwide service organisation whose stated purpose is to bring contribution toward helping people in need both in Australia and oversea together people from all walks of life to provide humanitarian service and advance goodwill and peace around the world.

Trang Do – presented with a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) in recognition of he This year, for service to charity and the community, the Rotary Club of Liverpool West in Sydney recognised the contribution of people involved with lunch Australian various community charities.

Each month a fundraising is arranged Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) to a selected charity. AHHA has been in receipt of these contributions for Stephanie Wong – presented with a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) in recognition for her continued work as an AHHA volunteer. Her involvement with fundraising Ted Mlynarz – named a Gold Companion of Australian Rotary Health activities and her demonstrated contribution toward helping people in need and support given for the development of research through bothsignificant in Australia and overseas.

in Au

Trang Do – presented with a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) in recognition of her

With eachcontribution PHF, US to$1,000.00 is contributed to month the Rotary Foundation to continued various community charities. Each a fundraising lunch is arranged with contributions a selected charity.of AHHA has educational programs which donated includetothe provision educational pr been in receipt of these contributions for several years. provision of educational opportunities, food, potable water, health care, Ted Mlynarz – named a Gold Companion of Australian Rotary Health in for millions of people. recognition of the tangible and significant support given for the development of research through Australian Rotary Health.

The Companion contributed towards toward health project With Gold each PHF, US $1,000.00 is contributed $10,000.00 to the Rotary Foundation its humanitarian Rotary Health. and educational programs which include the provision of educational programs which include the provision of educational opportunities, food, potable water, health care, immunizations and shelter for millions of people.

The Gold Companion contributed $10,000.00 towards health projects conducted

by Australian Rotary Health. people who without hesitation preform in difficult conditions in humid & high temperatures & work more than the usual 8 hour day. One of my friends for many years has been Max Bunter, we have been on several overseas adventures together but our work with AHHA though small compared to the work of the medical professionals, has left a mark of surprise at people being able to see clearly again after many in some cases years of blindness, compassion for people less fortunate & a wonderful understanding of cultures away from Australia.

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 25

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the new parents and their adorable little ones.

Maria Bui, Ben Ashby and baby Eileen Ashby.

Keira Young, Ben Nuttall and baby Leia Young.

Andrew Worsnop, Kristy Good and baby Oscar Worsnop.

May babyhood be filled with lots of joy and wonderful memories. All the best!

Archibald John Elliot OAM

Jack Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) has lost a very special friend with the passing of Jack Elliot on the 20th July 2018 at the age of ninety one.

Jack was AHHA’s representative at Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) and helped with introducing the group to the Rotary organisation. He established AHHA’s RAWCS account and was a staunch and proud supporter and advisor.

Jack was a regular attendant at AHHA functions and continually praised the group for the work they did as well as the professional manner in which the group operates.

Rest in Peace

26 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

NEWS

Miracle Babies Foundation Writer Dr Hien Tran In addition to our charity work overseas, AHHA also provides support to local charities in Australia.

Responding to the call for support from the Rotary Club of Liverpool West, AHHA volunteers together with their family and friends as well as members of AVHPANSW, attended a fundraising dinner held on the 14th September 2018.

This event was to raise funds to help the Miracle Babies Foundation, a Western Sydney based organisation that provides care and support for families with premature and sick newborns in Australia. www.miraclebabies.org.au/ Our group of 50 people attended the function taking up almost 1/3 of the total guests present on the night.

It was a very pleasant and fun night, thanks to the organising committee from the Rotary Club of Liverpool West, a very successful fundraising event resulted.

On behalf of the Management Committee of AHHA, we would like to thank the following sponsors on the night: Platinum sponsors: •

Australian Health Humanitarian Aid

•

Dr Joseph Quang Do

•

Lidcombe Medical & Health Centre

•

Medlab Australia

Sponsors: •

Mr Chinh Dang & Mrs Ha Tran - $500

•

Dr Hung T Tran - $500

•

Dr Tam Tran & Mrs Chau Tran - $200

Also a big thank you to the following successful bidders for the auction: •

“Mother & Child “ painting Dr Joseph Quang Do & Mrs Linda Do

•

Gift basket - Drs Hung & Linda Mai Duong

Education Updates Writer Ms Tanya Anhtuan Every child deserves an education.

With this in mind, AHHA is committed to continue providing education sponsorships for a number of poor and disadvantaged children in Vietnam and Cambodia.

The sponsorship amount is $250 AUD per child, and it goes to help pay for their school fees and uniforms.

This year in 2018, AHHA has sponsored a total of 56 high school children.

May their paths be successful and blessed.

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 27

A Royal Visit Following a successful appearance by His Royal Highness Prince Sisowath Tesso in 2017, Her Royal Highness Princess Norodom Chansita of Cambodia accepted an invitation to visit Australia to attend and support AHHA fundraising functions in Sydney and Melbourne.

Princess Sita has been involved with charity work in Cambodia for several years and is a member of the board of Khmer Sight Foundation (KSF) which is AHHA’s working partner in Cambodia.

KSF assists AHHA with local authorities and organisations as well as providing local volunteers.

The Princess has been an enthusiastic supporter of the AHHA team which travels to Cambodia on its annual field

Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz

trip with visits to the hospital where cataract operations are conducted and to the university clinic where dental procedures are carried out, encouraging AHHA and KSF volunteers to continue their worthwhile work for the poor and needy people of Cambodia.

Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) held an annual fundraising dinner at the Crystal Palace Reception Centre in Canley Heights on the 18th May 2018 followed by a similar event at the Bayview Eden in Melbourne on the 19th May. Princess Sita was guest of honour at both dinners and at the Sydney event presented a Cambodian Royal Ballet hand painted artwork depicting HRH Princess Bopha Devi in her Royal Ballet

28 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

costume. The painting was sold at auction during the evening and raised valuable funds for the 2018 field trip and the charity and humanitarian work of AHHA. Both dinners were enthusiastically attended by honoured guests, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and the general public.

The Princess was involved in formalities at both functions welcoming guests and presenting sponsors, supporters and entertainers with gifts of appreciation.

AHHA greatly appreciates the attendance by the Princess in Australia and her continued support in Cambodia.

FUNDRAISING

AHHA Fundraising Dinner 18th May 2018 This year AHHA celebrated an amazing milestone - 15 years of charity work!

As usual the venue was packed with 700 AHHA supporters, guests and volunteers.

It was a successful fundraising night for AHHA, raising much needed funds to carry out the 2018 mission to Cambodia & Vietnam.

We were honoured to have the presence of HRH Princess Sita Norodom of Cambodia.

Princess Sita brought over from Cambodia, a beautiful royal painting which was kindly donated to AHHA for our auction.

On the night the generous winning bid for the painting was from Dr Elaine Hoang & Dr Dzu Nguyen who the year before also generously bid for the crown donated by HRH Prince Tesso Sisowath.

Writer Dr Hien Tran

Thank you also to our sponsors : Diamond sponsor: Realtime Business Solutions Platinum sponsors: Dr Van Minh Nguyen SDI Ltd Gold sponsors: ABC Tissue Products Pty Ltd Bvlgari Australia Drs Hoang & Phuong Anh Lam Drs Tuan Nguyen & Tho Pham Rotary Club of Liverpool West & Satellite Club

These two items were very popular and the successful bidders were also generous with their support.

Corporations for donation of medical, dental supplies & logistics support: Alcon Allergan Design For Vision Hai Son Shipping & Transport Pty Ltd Henry Schein Hallas Nova Pharmaceuticals

The fourth auction item was a special Penfolds Grange 2003 courtesy of Dr Bun Yiv.

The atmosphere of the evening was informative and especially celebratory and fun.

A fundraising event would not be complete without the sale of raffle tickets.

A special cake-cutting event to mark 15 years of charity work kicked off an exciting entertainment program.

This event was successfully ran by Dr Tuan Nguyen, Dr Tho Pham and their families who came up with the idea of a prefunction sale.

AHHA was fortunate to have many multi-talented volunteers.

Special thanks to all volunteers who contributed their singing talents and to the AHHA-Twins who performed a captivating dance performance.

AHHA was fortunate to have continued support from Bvlgari Australia who this year donated a special edition handbag and a pair of sunglasses.

This year was the first time ever that a raffles event raised more than $11K !

AHHA would like to acknowledge many generous supporters and volunteers who gave from their heart on the night, and all donations received were deeply appreciated.

See you all again next year for another meaningful and exciting function!

Dr Hien Tran for AHHA Management Committee

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 29

Annual Fundraising Dinner Melbourne

Dr. William Trinh and Stephanie Wong

Writer Mr Glenn Hale & Ms Andrea Lee

This year’s fundraising dinner was a special event as AHHA silent auctions. Other entertainment included a water-filter celebrated 15 years of charity work. The ‘masquerade’ display, photo-booth and “padlock challenge” where guests Stephanie and Team Shiu themed event was held at the newly refurbished Bayview were encouraged to purchase a key and try their luck at Trinh and and Stephanie Wong Eden (opposite the F1 track) in Melbourne on the 19th MayDr. William opening a padlock chain to the world’s biggest chocolate 2018. Over 130 guests including HRH Princess Sita Norodom, bar (10kg Cadbury Dairy Milk) and a bottle of Billecart-Salmon. her fiancé Kristijan, the Ambassador to the King of Cambodia, Not all went to plan, so the winner (Anh Le) was eventually Julio Jeldres and Prince Harry (aka Glenn Hale - see photos) determined by a toss of the coin game called “heads or tails”. got into the spirit of the masquerade by wearing decorative Overall, the dinner was a resounding success and it helped masks and hats which really added to the fun vibe of the night. raise much needed funds for this year’s field trip whilst also Our mysteriously masked guests were greeted in the foyer promoting the wonderful activities of AHHA to family, friends and served canapes and refreshments whilst enjoying some and our supporters. friendly banter prior to entering the large, open and spacious The Melbourne Fundraising group would like to thank the dining room that was beautifully decked out in a semi-formal organisations for their support, especially Holloway Diamonds black and white arrangement. Guests casually made their way in Canterbury who generously donated a gorgeous 14k white to the allocated seating before our MC’s, Dr. Michael Shiu and diamond necklet as the main auction item and DJ Francis for Dr. Troy Lim Joon formally got the evening underway. A warm entertaining us all night. welcome from HRH Princess Sita Norodom was followed by a A special thanks to the organising committee: Dr Juliana speech by Dr. William Trinh (Chairman of AHHA) who briefly Chong, Dr David Worsnop, Peter Kandasamy, Alison Baum, outlined our charity work and activities over the last 15 years Socheata Chea, Andrea Lee and Glenn Hale who did an in both Vietnam and Cambodia. A delicious three course meal amazing joband to arrange such a successfulmanaged event in just 8 Prince Harry his sassy entourage a special was enjoyed around lots of dancing (including Apsara dancingStephanie and Team weeks.

Well done Shiu team! led by Soch and her mum, Mrs Chea), raffle prizes, live and Markel

30 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

Alison and Soch on the dance floor

ap

Prince Harry and his sassy entourage managed a special appear Markel

FUNDRAISING

Charity World Cup 2018

Writer Ms Maria Dang

Excitement filled the grounds at Homebush as players and supporters come together for a fun filled day of soccer frenzy on a sunny yet cold winter day. Macquarie Bank Silver Donuts players in their BLACK and WHITE uniform and AHHA Docceroos in their bright GOLD and GREEN colours which is hard to miss, strides onto the fields showing off their skills while warming up.

As the kick off whistle blew the roaring sounds of cheering and dancing of supporters began. As the first half began, Silver Donuts strikes and scores the first goal but eventually Docceroos lead by 2:1 thanks to their youngest star 16yr old player Jayden Tran. By end of first half the score was even at 2:2.

Second half started with some determination from both teams to maintain a lead. Silver Donuts successfully went on to score another 4 more goals winning the match by 6:2. Docceroos although defeated and devastated with the lost felt a great sense of satisfaction with the overall charity soccer match as deep inside they all knew they have contributed to successfully raising a massive $68,013.26 for the under privileged.

The day ended with a selection of food and drinks provided by Macquarie Bank and AHHA bringing both teams and supporters together, enjoying the Asian cuisine over a nice conversation.

The successful and fun soccer charity match day would not have been accomplished without the mastermind Miss Madeleine Hoang. Madeleine works at Macquarie Bank and on seeing a friends post on Facebook she found out about AHHA. With a golden heart to help the under privileged Madeleine took it upon herself to suggest a friendly and fun charity match between Macquarie Bank and AHHA where by funds raised by donations will go through approval to be matched by Macquarie Bank.

A lot of preparations and approvals were needed for Macquarie Bank to agree, which Madeleine handled with the support from her Macquarie Bank colleagues. Then the collaboration with AHHA began ...

Prior to the match a lovely charity morning tea at Macquarie Bank was held at Macquarie Bank Barangaroo office to raise funds and awareness of the charity match and AHHA as an organisation. It started off with some emotional speeches and then some soccer fun after which helped raised a substantial amount of money towards the charity soccer match.

The soccer charity match was such a successfully event, players, supporters and donators all agree that this should become a regular yearly event that brings together new bonded friendships and the helping of the underprivileged. We look forward to another match in 2019.

A BIG THANK YOU must go out to all our donors, supporters, cheerleaders, and the champions soccer players!!!

And a MASSIVE THANK YOU to the team who devoted a lot of their time behind the scene to pull everything together, you know who you are!!!!

Please enjoy the soccer match clip brought to you by the AHHA Media Team. >> www.ahha.org.au/videos

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 31

Greenwich Hospital Morning Tea Fundraising A special Morning Coffee and Cake session was organised at Greenwich Hospital on Thursday 14 June 2018 to raise awareness and some funds for the AHHA 2018 field trip to Cambodia.

Over one and a half hours, the coffee machine never stopped humming & whistling, and all the cakes & oranges brought were consumed.

We also distributed lots of AHHA pamphlets and raised $289.80.

Special thanks to all the staff and visitors who came for their donations and support.

In particular Louise Pham who initiated this event and the Greenwich Pastoral Care team.

Your kind hearts are much appreciated.

Bowling Bonanza Melbourne Writer Mr Glenn Hale & Ms Andrea Lee On Sunday the 28th October the AHHA family, friends and supporters converged on Healthways Recreation Centre in Mont Albert North for our last fundraising activity of the year. The day provided a great opportunity for everyone to reconnect with fellow volunteers and help celebrate another successful mission in Cambodia and Vietnam.

The canary yellow shirts of AHHA volunteers greeted guests as they arrived, and it wasn’t long before the bowling shoes were on, socks pulled up and the 3 to 6 kg bowling balls were ripping down the lanes. Some “interesting” bowling styles were observed and there were plenty of laughs, gutter balls, spares and strikes! One game down and guests enjoyed light refreshments which provided a timely rest and much needed fuel for a second game.

Post-bowling and a raffle with some great prizes was drawn and before we knew it, it was time to pack up and reflect on another successful fundraising event. Thanks to all volunteers for their help and we can all look forward to the festive season which is just around the corner. Stay safe, have fun and see you in the new year!

AHHA Melbourne Fundraising Group would like to thank the following organisations for their support and look forward to building a stronger relationship in the future.

32 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

Fundraising Activities

FUNDRAISING

Writer Mr Ted Mlynarz “They Need Our Help”

Annual Fundraising Dinners

Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) has been involved in charity and humanitarian work since 2003. With help and support from many organisations, including the Rotary Club of Liverpool West and its Satellite Club at Cabramatta, Rotary Australia World Community Service, Australian Vietnamese Health Professional Association in NSW and the Vietnamese Community Association – NSW Chapter, AHHA has been active in many parts of the world and within Australia.

AHHA’s volunteers come from all parts of Australia. Two major fundraising dinners are held in Sydney and Melbourne which were honoured by the presence of HRH Princess Norodom Chansita from Cambodia.

Over many years, AHHA has been involved in fundraising activities to assist those affected by flood, earthquake, typhoon, bushfire and other natural disasters in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal and The Philippines.

AHHA relies heavily on the generosity and support from the public, sponsors and supporters. Any monies raised go toward helping those in need, our volunteers do not receive any financial benefit and show their generosity by not only participating, but also paying for their own expenses when attending fundraising events or travelling to charitable events and activities within Australia or overseas.

The Sydney event, on Friday 18th May 2018 attracted several hundred supporters and special guests, while the Melbourne dinner was held the following night, Saturday 19th May 2018 and was attended by AHHA volunteers, supporters and guests from Victoria.

Both dinners were successful and raised much need funds for the continuation of the charitable and humanitarian work.

The generous support provides the necessary resources, medication and equipment required to help those who otherwise would not be able to receive the attention vital to their good health and wellbeing.

To enable AHHA to provide for the poor, needy and at time those without hope, several fundraising events are organised every year.

Cabramatta Freedom Plaza BBQ/Entertainment This fundraising activity is held four times a year. With assistance form the Rotary Club of Liverpool West and the Satellite Club at Cabramatta as well as support from Fairfield City Council it has grown to be a very popular community event with the public becoming involved and donating generously.

This an important Public Education and Community Awareness activity for AHHA. During 2018, the Cabramatta fundraising was held on 4 Feb, 22 Apr and 17 June, with the final one for the year to take place on Sunday 18th November.

Quan Nho Ban Ngheo This is a local community charity group based in Sydney and conducts monthly charity fundraising lunches to support local charities. The lunch on the 24th June 2018 was held in support of AHHA and funds raised were donated accordingly. A large number of supporters and volunteers attended and enjoyed a traditional Vietnamese meal resulting in a very successful day.

AHHA is proudly supported by the Rotary Club of Liverpool West and the project is registered with Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) Project No 14/2008-09.

Online donations can be made through the AHHA website, www.ahha.org.au. Click on “Donate Now” and proceed accordingly. Donations of $2.00 and above are tax deductable in Australia.

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 33

Camb Field 201

36 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)

bodia Trip 18

Newsletter • Issue 18 • January - December 2018 | 37

Sydney Melbo Fundra Dinn

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We need your help!

Our mission would not be possible without the generous donations from our valued donors.

Your donations will help us to provide life changing cataract surgeries, vital dental treatments, medical & dental supplies, medicines, education sponsorships, school supplies, food packages and more to those in need.

Donate today to help us give sight to change lives!

Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Donation forms are available online at www.ahha.org.au/forms/ or see page 34 of this newsletter.

We thank you for your support.