I am going for 4 months, from this October, to Phnom Penh for Projects Abroad.
I will be working with a local nurse helping to give holistic care to the local population in general health and hygiene matters. This will include the young people who have very few role models to guide them through their formative years.
After the genocide 40 years ago the country has more than a generation missing.
Projects Abroad wish to send volunteers of middle age and older, those who are at the end of their careers in their home countries. In this way they can partly fill the gap of the missing generation.
As a semi - retired nurse I feel I have expertise and experience to pass onto those who have not had the privileges I have enjoyed throughout my life and career.
Apart from my nursing and midwifery experience I have also trained as a listener with Acorn Christian Healing Foundation. This training, along with counselling skills in bereavement, will be invaluable in assisting with the
ongoing work Projects Abroad is engaged in.
The people of Cambodia are still recovering from the genocide. They are predominantly a young country trying to grow and thrive. They have made great strides, but I feel I can be of use to their young population with my professional and life experiences.
In addition to these qualifications I have been a street pastor in Southampton for the past 6 years. This has given me insight into the lives of diverse people that I meet on the streets at night, especially the homeless of different nationalities.
I also work with the Missions to Seafarers in Southampton docks. Visiting container ships and talking to the crew members is hugely rewarding.