Research

It is Thursday evening and I think I have visited enough NGOs to last a long time. NGO stands for non-government organization, and there are about 400 of these in Cambodia. Here are a few that Troy, Tabitha and I went to see: Healthnet International; CHEM (Cambodia Health Education); CARE Cambodia; Partners for Development; Save the Children, Australia; World Relief Cambodia; American Red Cross and Cambodia Red Cross; Action Contre La Fam; AusAid; UNAIDS; UNICEF; USAid; World Health Organization; BBC World; and National Center for Health Promotion which is part of the Ministry of Health. In our neighborhood, you can’t walk down any street without seeing an NGO sign in front of a house. Most of these groups use homes converted into offices. But like everything here, it takes time to get to someone who can help you. We were greeted by a Khmer receptionist then if lucky could talk to someone, but more likely had to make appointment or call back to one. Despite the difficulty, we came away with some good products. Troy and Tabbi were looking for materials for nutrition program mostly for the kids and I was looking for video clips about health and nutrition issues. I think I got some good things and was worth the effort. With all these groups helping the people of Cambodia, you know there are some good things going on in this country to help the people. We feel like we are helping their physical needs too, but pray to help them spiritual also. gail