HEAR WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THEIR
FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE
Rebecca Le
Physiotherapist
“Working alongside such passionate and caring volunteers and patients who were ever so grateful made the experience so memorable and valuable. When the surgeries were successful, and the patients would leave the hospital after a long day of waiting around to be assessed by all the different disciplines, have their surgery and stay behind for post op surveillance, I will never forget their thank you’s and prayers when they would finally leave the hospital.
It brings tears to my eyes to know that I was one of many volunteers on this mission to be a small part of a huge impact in restore the eyesight of so many deserving people.”
Hannah Yap
High School Student
“I am grateful to have been able to develop meaningful connections with the Cambodian children who have such different lifestyles and priorities from us, many of which have never seen a dentist. Visiting the special schools showed me the shocking reality of these children my age, who are disabled and orphaned.
These experiences have made me incredibly passionate about providing the aid that these people require, and spreading awareness. I learnt a lot about the health and dental profession and have developed many skills that will help me in future.”
Dr. Hong Du
Pediatrician
“I was lucky to visit the Borey Orphanage and the Rabbit Special School to help perform pre-assessments on children with physical, intellectual and behavioural disabilities. I saw children with conditions I would typically see such as autism and cerebral palsy but without access to the “standard care” provided in Australia.
Despite this, it was wonderful to see kids who were cheeky and engaging. My favourite moment of bonding was an apprehensive boy with intellectual disability who delighted in rubbing the bald head of the dentist.”
2022
Mr. Peter Kandasamy
Alcon Surgical Equipment Manager
“After my first trip in 2006 with the group, I was amazed to see how the poor people lived in the rural area without any medical assistance which prompted me to be an active member and help in whatever capacity I could.
The most memorable moment for me during the field trip was the 2 to 3 hours of travel per day via bus to work, takeaway breakfast, and the team singalongs on the journey there. Despite the wake-up calls at 5:00 AM and the late returns to the hotel around 7:00 PM, you still see very happy volunteers after a long day's work.”
2019
Mr. Lawrence On
Medical Student
“During my time there, we examined hundreds of patients, some of whom had traveled hours from remote villages just to seek medical care; every patient as thankful as the last. It was a strange feeling to no longer be just a fly on the wall during ward rounds or hugging the walls in theatre hoping not to get yelled at by the theatre nurse. It was a time where I was trusted to make clinical decisions and serve a community that relied heavily on foreign aid.
This is what I envisioned life as a doctor would be like when I started.”
Ms. Kristen Gibson
Nurse
“The most incredible moment for me as a scrub nurse would have to be seeing an elderly gentleman post-op who was profoundly deaf as well as cataract blind. I assisted Dr. Thomas during this surgery which certainly had its challenges and to see the shield come down the following day with a great result was incredibly heartwarming. The positive impact for this patient was obvious as soon as the eye pad was taken off. His whole face and demeanor were filled with pure joy. We were and able to give this man the gift of one of his senses back, sight.The moment was just incredible.”
Dr. Michael Stefanescu
Optometrist
“During our mission, we helped hundreds of people regain their eyesight by providing cataract surgery. Not only did they regain their eyesight but also their independence and this was a burden lifted off their family members that had to look after them.
This has been one of the most rewarding things I have done and I am looking forward to being able to continue contributing to AHHA for many more years to come.”
Miss Chloe Hoang
Student
“It is inspiring to spend time with others who are so passionate about such a great cause. The AHHA mission demanded a huge amount of dedication and experience to manage the logistics of the trip, but it was the compassion I saw in the AHHA team that I truly hope will continue to touch the younger generation like myself. It would be fantastic for the legacy of AHHA, if the skills and the values that it fosters could be passed to the volunteers of tomorrow. I for one cannot wait to sign up next year and I am sounding out to all other.”
Miss Keira Van
Student
“I learnt new skills and had a chance to experience working at the registration, helping prepare patients for surgery and screening their vision. I felt welcomed by the AHHA team and it was wonderful to see everyone working together.
This experience has really opened my eyes and given me a better understanding of the work which AHHA does. I hope to be able to volunteer again in the future.”
2018
Miss Caitlyn Kim
Student
“When assisting patients in the waiting room, I saw how they displayed expressions of nervousness, contemplation, gratefulness, calm, happiness, and a range of other feelings. It was then that I realised that each person had a different story. Stories of hardship and perseverance.
Being there in Cambodia, with the AHHA team, surrounded by people from a world wholly unlike mine - I learnt something. I learnt the importance of selflessness. I learnt to be grateful. I learnt to care. And that is a lesson that I think every AHHA volunteer holds in their hearts.”
Ms. Vicki Dodd
Nurse
“The patients would lie so still during their procedure, some difficult cataracts taking up to an hour to complete. After the surgery, the patients would never leave without acknowledging the surgeon and staff. Just by the look on their faces, we knew they were grateful.
Our days were long and I was amazed at the energy that everyone had, even at the end of a 12 hour day. The surgeons and nurses worked tirelessly and without complaint. Each day ended with laughter and good food.”
Ms. Nikki Lynn
Dental Assistant
“What I liked about this trip was that as well as the aid we were giving, we were also helping the dental students upskill to treat children both healthy and with special needs children in the future.
This trip was truly amazing, humbling, heart breaking but also heart warming. Although exhausting mentally and physically, I am determined to join AHHA again.”
2017
Ms. Ku Ngov
Property Officer
“For all the patients that received surgery, the gift of sight will not only impact their quality of life but the lives of their family. That scared uncertain look I first saw at registration turned into gratification and happy smiles.
Thank you AHHA for giving me the opportunity to contribute to such a well organised, fun loving and humble team and to each and every one who worked tirelessly to make the Field Trip possible.”
Miss Isabelle Nguyen
High School Student
“As a volunteer, I see that no matter how great or small the difference, the gleam of hope in these people’s eyes makes you reflect on your own life and hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted
Volunteering with AHHA has made me realise that we are a global community, tied together by bonds of friendship, compassion, and a willingness to make a difference. This shared experience, I now recognise, and our individual growth through it all is what will always give our community an invaluable kind of depth, closeness, and authenticity that has impacted me in a life-changing way.”
2016
Mr. Mark Kobdish
“Volunteering in the surgery department, which provided hundreds of eye surgeries, was a wonderful experience. I was able to witness the process by which poor Cambodian people were given a chance to save or regain the ability to see the world around them.
They were so thankful and appreciative of being given the opportunity to receive medical care that they never would have been able to without the efforts of the AHHA team.”
Ms. Barbara Tarrant Taylor
“This lady in her 40s who had been in a bomb blast several years ago required cataract surgery. She had some facial disfigurement and lost an eye as a result of the blast. The empathetic surgeons spent a considerable amount of time discussing the pros and cons of the surgery. The important decision was taken to operate.
Dr. Troy Lim-Joon, the calm, cool, amazing ophthalmologist, performed the highly skilled surgery. The operation was a success. I had witnessed something incredible and the lady would enjoy a better quality of life due to this amazing AHHA medical team.”
2015
Mr. Charles Hili
Business Owner
“AHHA volunteers performed their duties with utmost skill whilst displaying the compassion and dedication that has become synonymous with this wonderful organisation. I think I speak for myself and many others when saying that each and every trip is life-enhancing. The people, the children whose lives we undeniably changed for the better is what it is all about.
I’ll be back again next year to do it all again.”
Dr. Tam Tran
General Practitioner
"I was very happy to join this 2015 field trip as with many previous trips. I would like to thank our excellent team leader Dr. William Trinh who led our successful 2015 Cambodia field trip this year. His efforts and determination have made the mission successful beyond expectation.
We had a fantastic and very hard-working team - everyone carried out their duties beyond what's expected of them."