HPB Voices Reloaded
January - February 2007
HPB Nightingales in Vietiane, Laos
Vientiane, the Sandalwood City of Laos, is for many, where myths and images from the past meet the reality of a city trying to claw its way out of the mud of poverty into the new economic sunshine of a capitalist world.
HPB nightingales (left to right): Hon Kuan Tai, Sim Lai Kiow, Leow Huan Chin, Lee Sok Howang & Margaret Au
We (a group of 5 volunteer nurses) had a chance to be in Vientiane to conduct school health screening and education. This trip was organised by the Community Health Chapter of the Singapore Nurses' Association. The nurses were invited to volunteer to help from 5-8 December 2006.The objective of this trip was to conduct health screening for the school children as there was no health screening programme in Vientiane. All of us were volunteers except Mdm Margaret Au who was engaged by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF).
Sisavath Secondary school
Pupils in the classroom
We visited the children of Sisavath Secondary and Thonkang Primary Schools. The secondary school had poor facilities, such as no lighting in the classroom and had dirt floors. The condition of the primary school was better as it had been visited by afew missionary groups that provided some improvements.
Thonkang primary school
Vision screening
After this visit, we felt a sense of self-fulfillment that we contributed somewhat to the children’s health. This trip also taught us to appreciate and treasure what we have. It would be a better world, if all of us who are capable of giving back to society, one way or another, should do it, be it time, service or money.
En route to Luang Prabang, Laos
During lunch break