This page explains how I initially got involved with helping Prasat Char village.

Mr Som was a resident of Prasat Char Village.  When I first met him he had been extremely ill for over a year and a half with tuberculosis.  Due to the fact that he was so poor and his village is quite remote he had not been able to access any medical care.  

After meeting Mr Som and his family I felt obliged to offer them help, which they gratefully accepted.  We carried Mr Som out of the village on a stretcher and took him to a private medical clinic.  Unfortunately, the clinic we took him to saw this as a chance to take advantage of the generosity of a foreigner and tried to tell me they could have him healthy and back in his village within two weeks, but it was going to cost AUD$1,700.00!  It was quite obvious to anyone who saw Mr Som that he was gravely ill and that there was no way (barring a miracle) that he would be well in a matter of a couple of weeks.  

(It was at this point that I realised I could not do this on my own and I put out the call for financial help from family and friends.  I was completely overwhelmed at the generosity of everyone.  Within a couple of days I had more than enough money to help Mr Som with a substantial amount left over.  This is how I began the continuing aid work that I do at Prasat Char village and I am still amazed (and eternally grateful) for the continued financial support from not only family and friends but also strangers who hear about my work.)

Realising that the private clinic was only trying to take advantage of the situation and were not really concerned for Mr Som we moved him to the provincial hospital.  The facilities at the provincial hospital were very basic to say the least, but at least the staff were a little more realistic about the gravity of Mr Som's condition.  They were, perhaps, a little too realistic and didn't see any point in trying to help him survive.  I pleaded with them to at least try, and to that end they advised me what medications he needed (the hospital doesn't provide them) and I duly sought them out at the local pharmacies.  

Unfortunately, it was all a little too late, and Mr Som passed away about ten days after we took him out of the village.

Mr Som when I first met him.

Carrying Mr Som out of village.

Mr Som in the clinic.

Mr Som in hospital.

Phone (in Cambodia):  092 442 669  (outside Cambodia)  855 92 442 669

Email:   grovesphotography@yahoo.com.au

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