Rose Rehab and other NGO's stage Phnom Penh ball to help kids...

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Cambodian Tot passes pre-op screening tests... set for surgery

Little 'Tot' in Cambodia has passed all his pre-operation screening tests and so is now set for surgery.

We needed to screen for things like hemoglobin levels, and other blood chemistry. There is so much endemic disease, in Cambodia, not to mention malnutrition / poor diet that it is very important to screen carefully before surgery.  Any of these things, not least the awful problem of Malaria - Cambodia has some of the most drug resistant strains in the world. can put down the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood (hemoglobin levels) and make surgery dangerous.  So we needed to check that all is ok. And I am delighted to say that it is.

Tot's surgery can now go ahead. It is scheduled for the 4th January in Singapore.  All staff are donating their time free, including the surgeon, Dr Myra Elliot, an experienced, Singapore registered maxillo-facial expert. Singapore, like Canada has tight regulations on who can practice there so we are very lucky to get Dr Elliot.   Current plan is for Dr Sarom from First Rose Cambodia and Joanna Thomson (physio) from Rose Rehab Cambodia (both Rose Charities projects) to attend / assist the surgery also. 

Tot will convalesce until the 15th January in Singapore then fly back to Cambodia and to our Rose Charities medical facilities there.   So things are very much falling into place.  Vancouver donors have generously donated $1500 to date which will help enormously both with the surgical as well as the rehab elements.

We all intend to follow Tot long after he has recovered and been rehabilitated.  There is the moral argument whether it is appropriate to spend a lot of money on one individual  But by ensuring that Tot gets a proper education and a happy, productive life, that amount spent can be considered to be working over a lifetime.   An individual unable to communicate by speech, malnourished, and with all his debilitation would certainly  be a financial drain on his family or community over the years.  But restoring him to a place where he can have a normal life may create, though that life which will include education, a bright future for himself, his family and his community too.  So many more will be helped by the financial outlay than just one poor little Cambodian boy.

Stand Tall Education School Uganda gets vehicle from Vancouvers 'African Nights' fundraiser .. thank you Vancouver !!!

WE HAVE A CAR!

December 7th, 2010 | Author: nicole

Here’s what our African Nights fundraiser got us. We are breathing a sigh of relief that our cherished Principal now has a much safer vehicle to travel in. One of the first outings was the transport of two Stand Tall student representatives to the The Daily Monitor Christmas celebration at the first class Serena Hotel in Kampala. Our young ladies represented us with grace and good manners.

Surgery arranged for little Tot in January..

Little5year old Cambodian 'Tot' who has the fused jaw has now had his surgery arranged. Dr Veronica Ventura of Community Health Development Cambodia.  He will fly down to Singapore for the operation which will be on the 4th January 2011.   Funds are still needed both fro Tot' s surgery and rehabilitation, but also for his education and any special needs for return to life.   Rose Rehab Cambodia will be helping with Tots rehabilitation .   Funds are still needed.  Rose Charities is collecting for the Tot fund in Canada and in the USA  (in both, tax receipts are given).  Please say donation is for 'Tot'

 

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  Dr Veronica Venturas efforts for Tot have been simply amazing. She has worked day and night to ensure the best possible outcome for Tot. There is every chance that this little boy will rehabilitate to a happy, educated life.  Bravo Dr Ventura....

Sad Phnom Penh...

"... it's horrific indeed. the feel in the city is so sombre. I've never ever seen it so quiet at night time - last night, no vendors anywhere. No music, nothing. Shrines on roadsides everywhere. Very very sad. My friend's housemaid was going to go to Diamond Island that night, but last minute decided not too. Her friend still went, and died. The girl spent all of yesterday looking through bodies with her mother to find the girl. Horrible."

Stand Tall Education in Globe and Mail. November 2010

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Link to above article

StandTallEducation site

'Tot'...A little boy with a fused jaw..

This little 6 year old  Cambodian  boy, whose nickname is 'Tot'  is from  a very remote village in central Cambodia. He was born with a congenitally absent right hand and distal foot.  But his biggest disability was that  he was born with a fused jaw. He can’t talk, smile or eat solid food. His mouth is completely fused shut. The birth attendant pierced a hole in his gum and this boy has survived by drinking through his nose and pouring pureed food thru the small hole in his gum.. He is 6 years old and never seen a doctor.

The boy was discovered by the wonderful NGO  Villlage Health and Commnity Development www.villagehealth-development.com  founded by Dr Veronica Ventura,  who have been making will soon change as we have made plans to have him escorted to Singapore for surgery.   Rose Charities / Operation FIRST will be coordinating with Dr Ventrua. Careful physiotherapy will be vital in the rehabilitation process and this will be conducted by Joanna Thomson of Rose Rehab Cambodia 

There are approximately 25 known cases of this abnormality world wide.

To help this little boy, please click to www.rosecharities.ca  All donations will go totally  to Tots surgery, rehab and recovery. Rose Charities Canada has no administration fees.