Further training and the FCC.
on So Now It's Cambodia (Cambodia), 26/Oct/2009 04:33, 34 days ago
Dates and delays: We have been very busy and when there has been a slot we either can't get to the inernet or laptop is flat etc. so there is and will continue to be a delay between my writing and posting some blogs. I can write them and save them then add to blog at a later date. I'm already several blogs behind!! I'll try and add dates  - if I know what the date is!!!Also, I have tried to add photos but microsoft close me down every time I try. I ahve sent the 1st. batch to a few people and will try that again. If you would like photos I can send them as a web link on an e mail. We have lots of good pics!!!20/10/09We started our day with a talk from a member of the VSO medical team which was interesting. It was particularly so for Alison as it showed pictures of one of the hospitals she is going to work in, This included the ward that used to be used as a bicycle store. At one hospital they proudly displayed their new uniforms.We were surprised by the low incidence of HIV/Aids in the country as this had been a big part of training in England. However, government statistics tend to say one thing when the reality may be quite different. Even so, our presenter said he'd seen little evidence of it. It may be something to do with poor quality roads in the past which made transit between communities difficult.Alison had her one to one and really got down to the nitty gritty of what she will be doing. There is still some debate or discussion to be had as to how long she works in each area. There will also be some times when she visit smaller communities during the day.Housing is still being looked for. If we spend time at the smaller hospital (Thmor Pouk) we may share a large house with Oly the hospital management volunteer with a floor each!This evening we were very colonial and went for sun downers at the FCC bar which overlooks the expansive and fast flowing Mekon.We have also had sessions on corruption, cultural does and don'ts and a very interesting and helpful one this afternoon from a volunteer who has now worked in the country for 12 years. This was a very useful insight into how they behave and what we will be expected to do. We need to prepare some speeches as this is a common expectation if you are invited to a function!!Tomorrow (Wednesday) we set off on a coach to Kompong Cham for language training. This is quite intense apparently but we do get plenty of free time which should be used for study. This is for a few weeks but as we are in the boat race for the National Water Festival we will return to PP weekend after next and are booked into a nice hotel with pool!! Should be a nice break!