A Turn of Events

It's funny how life ends up just working out on its own sometimes. How what seems like a failure one moment can turn into an even greater opportunity, if only you have some patience. I've always believed that things happen for a reason, but Lord knows I'm terribly impatient. In this case, I got lucky.

If you remember back, I met a girl, Anna, in Siem Reap last fall who understood not only my passion for public health, but also my connection with this country. We talked for hours and decided that this region needed more women's health, and we were the ones to do it. We embraced our naivety and "greenness" as strengths to keep us moving on the hard path ahead. Anna returned to the States and I to Manila, though we continued to develop plans for a volunteer-NGO focused on women's health.

In March, Anna decided she couldn't join for six months, so I searched for other organizations doing similar work in the city. Something (anything) to give me some experience before we could start out own project. As I recognized before, there are few health NGOs in the region. An acquaintance from Siem Reap had met a group just that week, CCDO, and they were starting a women's health center. Two weeks later I found myself back in the sweltering Kingdom.

Breakfast program - better wash hands and brush teeth

For the next three months I worked for the organization, though less involved than expected. I was unsure if the country team, whose primary focus was the travel agency, wanted me there. They welcomed me, yet I doubted their understanding of my role and use at the NGO. My first post upon returning here revealed my disappointment in the fate of our own NGO. But more than that, I wanted to put my skills to use, to contribute to CCDO's efforts. Which in turn made me question my own motives for being here, as I felt selfishly underutilized and frustrated. This is not to say I did nothing, I just didn't seem to be adding much value to what was already developed. 

Tippy taps - my favorite 

After several months, it became clear that our two teams - Cambodian and American - could no longer work together harmoniously. In an effort to strengthen our current programs, we made the split. Then we went about re-registering, hiring staff, setting up a new office and restructuring our programs. In ten days. (It's no surprise I contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth disease the following week). 

This turn of events would explain how now, after giving up on any hope of running an NGO in the near future, I find myself as the in-country executive director of the CCDO, 2.0. One of those times when you stop worrying about how you're going to do something, and then it ends up in your lap. Excited, nervous, stressed, energized, exhausted, surprised, confident, overwhelmed - it's been a roller-coaster of emotions. But if I felt like my talents weren't put to use before, I can be certain every iota of my being will be utilized to get this organization not only running, but improved and performing. 

For now, wish me luck! I promise to keep the CCDO posts to a minimum, with a smattering of other topics from my oh-so-exciting life here in Cambodia. And hey - interested in donating a water well? Volunteering? Spreading the word? I could use all the help I can get! (yet another shameless plug)

New responsibilities!

Are so much fun!