From Seaford to Siem Reap [From Adelaide in Australia to Cambodia]

2 Apr 12, 2012
The Southern Times
by Lorraine

From Seaford to Siem Reap

My family were the first to move into one of the houses being built in Martha Street. That was forty-one years ago. It’s hard to imagine that we could still see the sea from our garden – there were so few houses in the area.

My parents lived in the same house until their deaths in 2008. I looked after them for their last few years but we were given a great deal of help by ACH and other support groups. It made me realize how lucky my parents were to have come to Australia where there are so many organizations which help older people or people with disabilities.

After their deaths I decided to become a volunteer in Cambodia. I have lived in developing countries before but the stark contrast between Australia and rural Cambodia was surprising even for me. I live in Siem Reap Province, not far from the famous temples of Angkor Wat.

Approximately 85,000 Australians come to Cambodia every year mainly to visit the temples. There are some obvious indications of the extreme poverty here – children foraging through rubbish for things they can sell – plastic bottles, tin cans; many amputees some from mines left behind by the Khmer Rouge; bent and frail old people begging for money for food. Mr. Carr, on his recent visit commented on the progress that has been made over the years to combat neonatal and maternal deaths. Progress has also been made in the treatment of HIV. However, it may come as a surprise to many that Cambodians are facing an epidemic of chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

On the whole, Cambodians are slim and with 80% based in rural Cambodia and working in the rice fields, they are probably getting regular exercise. However, about 73% of their diet consists of refined rice with the average amount of vegetables eaten daily being about two servings. 30.1% of the population live on less than $1 per day so they are more likely to eat rice almost exclusively .

More than 300,000 Cambodians are estimated to have type 2 diabetes but due to lack of awareness and poor health facilities only about 20% have been diagnosed. My work in Cambodia has been to set up the Cambodian Diabetes Association in Siem Reap where we have a centre dedicated to diagnosing, treating and counseling on diabetes and hypertension. I recently launched a healthy eating awareness project aimed at primary school children in conjunction with developing school vegetable gardens.

I am a long way from Seaford in more ways than one. If any organizations, schools or individuals would like to help us in our efforts in Cambodia, please look at our website http://www.cdasiemreap.org or contact me directly at: lfk@cdasiemreap.org.