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Takeju Ogata, President of the Nippon Foundation, originally uploaded by Cambodia Trust.

Here is the text of the speech delivered by Mr. Takejyu Ogata, President of The Nippon Foundation, at the Sri Lanka School of Prosthetics and Orthotics graduation ceremony on June 16th, 2008. We were proud to welcome Mr. Ogata and other guests to this very special event in our history.

Distinguished guests,
Graduating class,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Good afternoon. It is my great pleasure to be with you today at the first graduation ceremony of the Sri Lanka School Prosthetics and Orthotics.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to those who have dedicated so much time and hard work to the development of SLSPO, especially to the Minister of Health, the government agencies of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, members of the Board, Mr. Carson Harte of The Cambodia Trust, and Mr. Mike Scott of the SLSPO.

I would also like to congratulate the ten very promising young professionals who will graduate today.

It goes without saying that the opening of SLSPO would not have been possible without the expertise and dedication of The Cambodia Trust. Our relationship with the Trust started in 1999 when we helped to support the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics.

With the program in Cambodia well on track, we felt that it would be meaningful to apply that experience in assisting other countries in the region. Countries that would truly benefit from training programs of their own. Thus, we decided to continue this work in Sri Lanka.

With the continued ceasefire, the timing seemed perfect to begin an initiative to assist people with disabilities throughout the country. People of all ethnic backgrounds. And by opening the school to both Sinhali and Tamil students, we strongly felt that the program would contribute to the promotion of a peaceful coexistence.

As students who have spent the past three years here at SLSPO, you graduates know best that the place you have been living in is very unique. So unique that it has allowed you to leap barriers such as race, religion and border, to work together toward a common goal.

Today, you all become professionals. I urge you to achieve your full potential and make many positive changes. Your first task will be to lead the development of the P&O service system in Sri Lanka, as well as in neighboring countries.

Moreover, by treating those who have been injured in the continuing conflict, with the “SLSPO Spirit,” you will help them to overcome both their physical difficulties and the psychological barriers that are preventing peace. You must realize that you now have many roles and are no longer merely technicians.

Graduation celebrates an end. And at the same time, it is a beginning. As you move into your new careers, we hope to continue the relationship between SLSPO, The Nippon Foundation and all of you. Let us nurture this relationship so that we may work together to achieve our common goal of bringing peace to Sri Lanka and the world.

In closing, I once again extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the graduating class of 2008, and convey my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the devoted staff and members of the SLSPO community who have made all of this possible.

Thank you.

Donation from Finnish amputees, originally uploaded by Cambodia Trust.

Prostheses, orthoses, adventure and charity
posted by Janne Ikonen

Adventure and charity were the major reasons Jani Roponen and I took prosthetic and orthotic devices to Cambodia. It was also one way of challenging a piece of incredible legislation of the European Union. Although, with limited resources, it demonstrates what can be achieved through international co-operation and development without the support of large organisations; all you need is a good idea and a few people to carry it out.

In June 2007, while on holiday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, driving a motorbike on a busy roundabout, I suddenly heard someone shouting: “Janne!”

It was Markku Ripatti, an old friend of mine, who know works as Lecturer at the Cambodia School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, which is part of the Cambodia Trust’s programme.

As I am the president of a small association called the “Association of the Active Amputees in Finland” I decided to visit the Cambodia Trust school where I was very impressed; and liked the atmosphere there.

I told Markku, how used prosthesis were thrown away at home, although they were still usable. However, an EU law, forbids the recycling of components anywhere within the EU. But, I told him that I would do my best to collect the rejected, but still usable, prostheses and bring them to CSPO.

In Finland, Suomen Proteesipalvelu Oy (Ltd) is the company, where I got the prostheses. As, I am not a professional they helped me a lot. And, as i did not enough money to transport the prostheses to Cambodia; the association collected some for this purpose.

I dismantled the prostheses at home because we didn’t have enough money to rent premises for this purpose. I saved only the best parts, about 10 per cent were acceptable for our purpose.

We collected the parts from the firm making them. The firm became inspired by the idea: not to throw away the usable replacements and parts but save them to help the Cambodia Trust. The parts were collected by ads in newspapers, too.

Finally, after a year, we had enough money and parts. I asked the board of my association for permission to go and was granted it. The vice-president, Jani Roponen, promised to come with me and carry the components in our rucksacks. Jani Roponen and I are both amputees. I am amputated under the knee, and Jani is above the knee.

We only had the money to buy the cheapest flight tickets and with loaded packs full of components ( altogether 40 kilograms) flew to Bangkok. From there we travelled to over land to Campodia with the heavy packs. Staying in cheap hostels and travelling by local buses we finally made it to Phnom Penh.

We took some usable parts of prostheses and orthoses to CSPO, where they are used to educate students to make western-type replacements. Second-hand components are only used in Cambodia for training purposes for the students at CSPO, they are not used as parts for prostheses that are provided to amputees.

We had a good time in the school with the students. They were very excited to see our components of flexible feet, knee braces, other carbon fibre prostheses and many different models including titanic parts.

After our journey we were able to enjoy a short vacation. We travelled to Sihnoukville to scuba dive and drive motor cycles around the province. It was fun, and although Jani fell down with his bike a few times, luckily, nothing serious happened!

We are now back in Finland where we continue our mission to collect prostheses, as you never know where they will be needed.

Student Safana assessing a patient, originally uploaded by SLSPO.

Our partnership project in Sri Lanka now has its own Flickr photostream! Check out some pics from the project here:

SLSPO Flickr photostream

There are also more images from the graduation ceremony on Picasa, thanks to Vutha from the Cambodia Trust in Phnom Penh for taking these photos. Vutha has recently been in Sri Lanka, sharing his administrative skills with staff there.

SLSPO graduation on Picasa

SLSPO Graduates 2008 with VIP’s, originally uploaded by SLSPO.

Our partnership project in Sri Lanka - the Sri Lanka School of Prosthetics & Orthotics - celebrated a proud day on June 16th. It was the graduation ceremony for the school’s first intake of students, who began their studies in 2005.

10 students graduated, gaining qualifications as Category II (ISPO) prosthetist-orthotists. This means they are now internationally recognised as qualified to prescribe and fit prosthetic limbs and braces. Sri Lanka needs around 115 prosthetist-orthotists to meet the needs of the disabled population.

Congratulations to all the staff and students and good luck to them in their new careers!

Kim Sathia, originally uploaded by Cambodia Trust.

Kim Sathia, administrator at the Cambodia Trust’s rehabilitation centre in Phnom Penh, is featured in the International Herald Tribune in a story about Epic Arts.

The Cambodia Trust gets a mention too!

Read the article here:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/25/arts/CAMBART.php?page=1

Former Trustee John Honney is leading a team of 19 runners in the Berlin Marathon in September 2008.

I joined the Board of Trustees in March 2006, after returning from a year off to undertake voluntary work as a death row lawyer in America and advising Cambodia Trust and several other NGO’s in Phonm Penh.

I am an amputee myself (this photograph was taken moments before embarking on my third marathon in Boston in April 2007 on what was called ‘monsoon Monday’ due to the conditions). Despite picking up 3 injuries during the run, the bad weather and the ardous course, I was ‘beer-in-hand’ shortly after finishing the race. In September 2008, I intend to lead a group of my family and friends running for the Cambodia Trust in the Berlin marathon.

John has now taken up a post working at our Cambodia HQ in Phnom Penh. He’s doing vital advocacy work, promoting the rights of persons with disabilities from grass roots to government level.

Please support John and his team-mates by sponsoring them on JustGiving. Just follow the link to pledge your support!

CT MOVE email, originally uploaded by Cambodia Trust.

Moving home after 16 years is never easy, but when it involves 40 staff, a Prosthetics and Orthotics centre, one of SE Asia’s most prominent Prosthetics and Orthotics school (CSPO) as well as 50 students, it becomes one mammoth task!

Since 1992, Cambodia Trust based itself in what had once been a dilapidated laundry wing in the Calmette Hospital and it was here CSPO began in 1994. But, in late April 2008 CSPO closed it doors for the last time and moved lock, stock and barrel to a much improved building in an up and coming part of Phnom Pehn.

Country Director, Mary Scott explained the reason behind the move,

“All our overseas programmes, operating in four low income countries, stem from the early achievements made in the Calmette centre. However, with the rapid expansion of Phnom Pehn and its evolving medical needs we were literally bursting at the seams! Our small building was home to the Prosthetics and Orthotics centre, Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics as well accommodation for all our students! The situation was the same for the Calmette Hospital who also aim to increase their patient capacity. Therefore, last year, to help support the hospital’s expansion, and meet our own needs, we agreed to find new premises.”

The move went well and, through great direction and team spirit, everyone pulled together and got on with the job. The new centre opened, ready for the arrival of the first client/patients, on Monday 19th May!

One of the first existing client/patients to be treated at the new centre was 14 year old, Ngen Hang Song to be fitted for a replacement KAFO; an orthosis required as a result of Polio contracted as a child. He has received free treatment from the Cambodia Trust for several years. His reaction to the new centre was definitely positive,

“I really like this new place, its seems so much bigger than the old one and it’s a much nicer environment to visit”

Sophero, Assistant Lecturer at CSPO is also delighted with the new premises,

“The new building feels so much bigger and brighter. It’s certainly a better working environment for our students and more comfortable for our patients’’

It’s very unlikely Cambodia Trust will remain in the centre as long as in they did in the Calmette; as the long term goal is to have a purpose built centre in Phnom Pehn as a legacy for the people of Cambodia to ensure the long term sustainability of the regions Prosthetics and Orthotics education and services.

The Cambodia Trust

#261 Street 598,

Sangkat Toul Sangke,

Khan Russey Keo,

Phnom Penh,

Cambodia

Inspiring fundraiser Chris Moon has been featured in  the April edition of The Word magazine.

Reporter Sarah MacDonald spoke to Chris following his recent cycle across Cambodia in which he raised funds for the Cambodia Trust. 

He also talks about his book One Step Beyond.

You can read the article at www.theword.ie

Dith Pran the journalist whose life inspired the award winning film The Killing Fields, died on 30th March of pancreatic cancer at the age of 65.

The Killing Fields was first shown in cinemas in 1984. Director Roland Joffé and Producer Lord David Puttnam are both patrons of The Cambodia Trust.

Dith Pran was born in Siem Reap where his father worked as a public-works official. He learned French at school and taught himself English and was subsequently employed by the  U.S. Army as a translator. After ties with the United States severed, Dith began working with a British film crew and then as a hotel receptionist.

When Dith met New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg in 1975, he taught himself about photography and stayed behind in Cambodia to cover the fall of the capital Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge. Schanberg and other foreign reporters were allowed to leave, but Dith was not permitted to leave the country.

Due to the suppression of knowledge during the Genocide, Dith hid the fact that he was educated or that he knew Americans and pretended to be a taxi driver. When Cambodians were forced to work in labour camps, Dith had to endure four years of starvation and torture before Vietnam overthrew the Khmer Rouge in November 1978. He coined the phrase “killing fields” to refer to the clusters of corpses and skeletal remains of victims he encountered during his 40-mile escape.  

We would like to say a big well done to junior supporter Freyah Bushnell. 

Eleven year old Freyah  wrote a project about the Cambodia Trust which she presented in front of her classmates at her primary school in Cardigan, Wales. 

Freyah also took a copy of our DVD to show at school to promote out work.