NEWSLETTER
Issue 21. January - December 2021
Chairman's Letter
EDITOR’S WORDS Welcome to the 21st issue of AHHA’s annual newsletter: a not-for-profit charity newsletter brought to you by our volunteer contributers! We are excited to share with you the achievements and milestones our volunteers, partners and supporters have accomplished during the COVID pandemic. In this issue you will hear from our Chairman Dr William Trinh on this year's highlights covering AHHA’s food donation and medical equipment support to Vietnam and Cambodia, our ongoing program success with the University of Puthisastra Dental school in addition to our COVID fundraising appeal for Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and India in partnership with Rotary club. This newsletter would not be possible without the continued support of our article and photo contributors. Special thanks to Ted Mlynarz, Dr Michele Tjeuw and Dr William Trinh: your continuous contribution is greatly appreciated and essential to the success of this newsletter. We would finally like to acknowledge and thank our ex-management committee members Ms Thuy Nguyen, Ms Maria Dang, Mr Charlie Hili, Ms Ha Tran and Mr Jim Leahy who have dedicated years of service towards helping the community. We greatly appreciate their incredible effort with leading AHHA in their respective management roles; we wish them all the best with their future endeavours! For more information on past and upcoming projects please visit: https://www.ahha.org.au/ or alternatively please stay connected via our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ AustralianHealthHumanitarianAid! Happy reading, William Cheng
Dear supporters, 2021; a year we would never forget! We thought we could defeat or at least bring COVID under control, then came the Delta variants which caused more lockdowns, more human suffering, and fatalities. In the last few months, we have been faced with the new Omicron variant. We are told the Omicron variant whilst more transmissible is less severe and that we are moving from pandemic to endemic. Let’s hope 2022 will be a year of recovery. AHHA is very blessed with your continued support, your compassion and your generosity. AHHA has been able to continue its humanitarian work to assist the underprivileged during this year’s pandemic. Many poor people are facing hardship with many losing their jobs and their loved ones from COVID. Your generous response to our appeal throughout the year has allowed us in collaboration with local volunteers to distribute more than 1850 food parcels to the Vietnamese people in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding city outskirts, 5000 free meals to the frontline workers and hospital patients. We have provided 30 oxygen concentrator machines to field hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City in collaboration with Rotary International Saigon. We have also helped to build a community centre near Hue City in central Vietnam to provide shelter during flood season. We also continue to provide scholarships to poor students so that they can continue schooling in the Cu Chi area: outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. In Cambodia, AHHA provided free meals to thousands of poor street children in collaboration with Le Restaurant des Enfants LRDE in
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Phnom Penh. We also provided 550 food parcels to the poor outside Phnom Penh and 30,000 Kg of rice to the poor village in Kampong Chhnang, Cambodia. We were able to continue our free denture program for the poor in collaboration with University Puthisatra Dental Clinic to improve their dental health and provide medical services with the assistance of a local GP at AHHA community centre in Tra Noc village, Kampong Chhnang. We were also able to provide hospital equipment for India to care for COVID patients in partnership with the Rotary Club of Strathfield. I would like to thank our management committee members for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. This year, AHHA had an opportunity to present appreciation plaques to our ex-management committee members Ms Thuy Nguyen, Ms Maria Dang, Mr Charlie Hili, Ms Ha Tran and Mr Jim Leahy. We greatly appreciate each of them not only for their significant contribution during many field trips but their dedication and relentless effort in the management roles to successfully transform Vietnam Vision Project to the AHHA of today. The management will continue to monitor closely the development of the COVID situation and will make great efforts to resume our overseas medical mission in 2022 if possible, when our volunteer’s safety is warranted. Thank you for your continued support. Kind regards, Chairman Dr. William Trinh OAM
HIGHLIGHTS
New AHHA Management Writer Dr William Trinh OAM On Thursday 25 of November, 2021, AHHA management had the opportunity to present the appreciation plaques to our exmanagement committee members; Ms Thuy Nguyen and Ms Maria Dang. Unfortunately, Ms Ha Tran, Mr Charles Hili and Mr James Leahy were not able to attend. Each of them have been amazing volunteers to contribute in their own capacity to assist in our overseas missions. They also contributed significantly to the running of management to ensure our missions, projects and fund raising activities ran smoothly. Their dedication to AHHA over many years is greatly appreciated. Ms Thuy Nguyen has been an AHHA pharmacist and humanitarian aid project manager since 2004. Ms Thuy Nguyen who has been in charge of coordinating surgical and medical supplies for our overseas mission. She has also great compassion and dedication to coordinate many humanitarian aid trips for our volunteers to distribute water filters and food parcels to poor villages in Vietnam and Cambodia. Ms Ha Tran has assisted AHHA with accounting, scholarship coordination and humanitarian aid projects. She has always taken good care of patients with post eye operation instructions and administrative work during overseas missions. Ms Maria Dang has assisted AHHA tremendously with IT administration and fundraising. She has been in charge of patient administration for many overseas missions to ensure the patients were orderly admitted to operating theatre. Mr Charles Hili and Mr James Leahy have been assisting AHHA with the overseas mission logistics for many years. They are often the first AHHA volunteers seen by our patients at the hospitals. They ensure each patient is orderly seen by our dental and eye teams for treatment. I would like to welcome our new management committee members: Dr Michele Tjeuw who has joined the dental subcommittee, Ms Isabelle Nguyen as our new secretary and Mr William Cheng in publications.
2021 Newly Elected Management Committee BOARD DIRECTORS Chairman:
Dr William Trinh OAM
Vice-Chairman:
Dr Hien Tran
CEO:
Mr Ted Mlynarz
Treasurer:
Dr John Nguyen
Secretary:
Ms Isabelle Nguyen
STATE REPRESENTATIVES Victoria:
Dr Juliana Chong
Queensland:
Dr Khanh Tien Truong
South Australia:
Dr Oanh Ha
TEAM LEADERS Ophthalmology:
Dr Troy Lim-Joon
Dentistry:
Dr Chinh Nguyen Dr Hung Tran Dr Michele Tjeuw
Optometry:
Dr Khanh Tien Truong
Humanitarian Aid Project:
Ms Trudy Ho
IT:
Ms Stephanie Wong
Media:
Ms Tanya Anhtuan
Education Sponsorship:
Ms Christine Nguyen
Logistics:
Mr Michael Tran
Building Projects:
Mr Michael Luong
Publications:
Mr William Cheng
Newsletter • Issue 21 • January - December 2021 | 3
Vietnam Humanitarian Work Overview
Cement render
AHHA carried on its charity work in Vietnam in 2021 in response to the desperate need for humanitarian aid during the COVID pandemic. Despite the challenges brought on by the Delta, AHHA was able to contribute to the following initiatives in Vietnam. Writer Dr Wiliam Trinh, Mr William Cheng
Blessing ceremony before building commencement
Food Parcel & Meal Donations AHHA was fortunate to have very dedicated local Vietnamese volunteers led by Ms Truc Do to organise the delivery of food parcels which consisted of rice, instant noodles, dry food and canned foods to 1800 poor families in District 6, District 8, Tan Phu District, Cu Chi District, Binh Chanh District, District 4, Binh Tan District, Phu Nhuan District in Ho Chi Minh City HCMC, Dong Nai Province, Binh Duong Province and Tien Giang Province during the strict lockdown. AHHA is very grateful to the local volunteers who in spite of their own personal challenges, managed to purchase food for packing, acquired travel permits from the Vietnamese government and traveled long distances to distribute food parcels door to door. AHHA also worked with a local Vietnamese charity group called Viet Nam Oi Co Len (VNOCL) in Ho Chi Minh City. VNOCL director, Ms Ngoc Anh Tran, with a group of young local volunteers in collaboration with several local
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restaurants organised free meals delivered to frontline health workers and to patients at many hospitals during the peak of pandemics lockdown from May to August 2021. Given the severity of the pandemic during this time, AHHA was glad to support VNOCL with the delivery of 5000 free meals to both frontline health workers and hospital patients. Oxygen Machines AHHA understood that many hospitals in HCMC were poorly equipped with oxygen machines to meet the extraordinary demand to care for COVID patients during the peak of pandemics. AHHA was able to coordinate with Rotary International Saigon to source scarce oxygen concentrator machines. We are glad that AHHA managed to donate 30 oxygen machines to local hospitals and we believe many lives were saved from COVID.
HIGHLIGHTS Water filters From August to October 2021, Central Vietnam was hit with heavy rain causing severe flooding and damage to livestock, crops and property. Cleaning and safe drinking water was difficult to find in many poor remote villages during the flood. Fortunately, AHHA had in the previous year purchased 2000 water filter units from the USA which had been stored in Phnom Penh to be used for a 2021 field trip. AHHA managed to urgently transfer all water filter units from Phnom Penh and distribute them to 2000 families in Central Vietnam during the flood for clean drinking water to prevent illness. Hue Community Building Central Highland Vietnam is very predisposed to flood every year during August to November wet season from heavy storms and rain due to geography close to the Pacific Ocean and annual typhoons. AHHA believes one of the best ways to assist people in poor, remote villages during the flood is to build an evacuation centre to temporarily house a number of families in need of shelters for safety and food storage. The evacuation centre can be used as a community centre for education, health care and other general purposes throughout the year. The Evacuation centre is currently near completion, built on the land of a nearby local Buddhist temple in Pho Nam village, 50 km from Hue City, Vietnam. From June to August, $80,000 AUD was raised and donated to the creation of this project. 130 people can comfortably reside in the building during an emergency which has access to clean water from a water tank that provides fresh and clean water for the house. Key amenities and spaces within the community are the common room, kitchen, two separate halls, four classrooms in the first floor, three female toilets, 2 male toilets and two showering units AHHA is very grateful to the generous donations from our donors and volunteers. AHHA also wants to specially thank Mr Michael Luong who is a AHHA management committee member for his architectural design, project management and Ms Thuy Nguyen who is our very dedicated volunteer for her coordination of this building project. Cu Chi School Scholarships Despite Covid pandemics and school disruption in 2021, many schools worked hard to keep schools open and minimise the disruptions. AHHA has been providing scholarships to poor students at a Christian school in Cu Chi district 44 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Each scholarship valued at $250 is to assist poor students with school fees, books and uniforms so that they can continue schooling for a brighter future. AHHA was glad to provide 35 scholarships in 2021 to the poor students that were identified by the Cu Chi School.
Newsletter • Issue 21 • January - December 2021 | 5
Cambodia COVID19 Appeal Appreciation Writer Sister Dang (translated into English) We sincerely thank the doctors and benefactors of AHHA for your love and care for the poor living on the land and lake of Chhnok Tru and Tonle Sap. The lives of the people in poverty here has been difficult. COVID-19 has turned their lives upside down. The valuable gifts you shared for everyone here in this difficult time are so meaningful and greatly appreciated. My gratitude to you. May God bless you and bless your souls…
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HIGHLIGHTS unable to provide care through our field trips. I am so excited to announce our new initiative - an AHHA supported Community Service Award to recognise the educational endeavours and community contribution of dental students from the University of Puthisastra. This year we have awarded 4 dental students with each community service project receiving USD500.
AHHA Dental Update Jan-Dec 2021 Writer Dr Michele Tjeuw
The Year of the Ox certainly tested our perseverance! As dentists who spend most of our day spreading saliva borne aerosols, we worked tirelessly to navigate the rules around managing COVID in the office. As our uniform of PPE soon caught on in the general public, we also started to struggle with the logistics of getting the supplies we required to work. Lockdowns followed, with strict restrictions limiting our practice to emergency treatments. With COVID restrictions affecting our every effort, 2021 was the year we learnt to work from home. Working from home together with kids schooling from home, cooking, cleaning and the inevitable COVID puppy, we soon learnt that working at home is certainly more work than in the office. As our vegetable garden expanded and recycling piled up with take away and online shopping boxes, it became clear how blessed we are to have the luxury of good governance, internet and space! Internationally, in Cambodia, schools including universities were closed until
September. However, with power and internet connections patchy at the best of times, lockdown was certainly more challenging. However, the online lecture series continued and the presentations were well received - many thanks to Dr Chinh Nguyen who presented a case series where he shared his expertise on dental trauma and pulpal regeneration. The UP Denture Program resumed in October and the students were able to complete comprehensive care for 35 villagers, including their x-rays, restorative, extractions and prosthetic rehabilitation with acrylic dentures. This provides the much needed clinical experience to the dental students who will now be able to go on and provide this service to the wider community. AHHA continues to support the villagers through a weekly van service, catering for lunch and assisting in provision of basic dental services through the student clinic. In this way, we are able to continue to support the underserviced community whilst we are
1. The You Smile, I Smile team will continue dental screening at schools for children with special health needs. This funding will allow them to expand into a special needs school where the students have not previously accessed any dental care. The data collected from this project will be presented in the dental student’s research thesis. 2. Dent Care will provide ongoing oral hygiene education and fluoride treatment to orphans. 3. Year 2 and 3 UP dental students will work together to set up a mobile dental club where they will travel to rural villages to provide dental screening and preventive care. 4. The UP Dental students would like to continue to support the local Cyclo drivers through a dental screening program through the student clinic. Here, the students organised dental check ups for the bicycle drivers and provided care packs including a 2 weeks food supply. What a great way to help a group severely impacted by work shortages due to COVID lockdowns. As we all continue to plough through the barriers caused by this pandemic - let us work together and create new opportunities to help build each other up. I do look forward to meeting with these dental students on our next field trip to hear about their community projects!
Newsletter • Issue 21 • January - December 2021 | 7
UP Dental Community Service Awards
Writer Prof Callum Durward
The Australian Health Humanitarian Aid NGO (also called AHHA) has been partnering with UP for the past 5 years. They focus on providing free eye surgery and dental treatment for disadvantaged Cambodians. At UP they have teamed up with our Faculty of Dentistry to provide dental treatment for hundreds of needy and disabled children. In 2021, since they could not come to Cambodia, they offered a Community Service Award for dental students who had submitted a proposal to provide oral health education and basic dental services to target groups in the community. Each award includes a $500 grant to go towards the running of the project. AHHA identified 4 projects deserving of the award, and during the UP ALUMNI event the 4 leaders of those groups received their AHHA Community Service awards. The certificates were presented on behalf of AHHA by Dean of Dentistry, Professor Callum Durward. Watching on Facebook streaming was Dr Michele Tjeuw from Sydney, Australia, who is the Head of the Dental Section of AHHA. The first award went to Ms Lorn Pechmarrynet for a project entitled YOU SMILE, I SMILE. This project involves a team of UP dental students providing basic dental care for special needs children in Phnom Penh and several
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provinces. They will also help educate the teachers, parents and caregivers of the children, with the aim of improving their oral health. The second award went to Mr Nhil Yuk Yl for the CYCLO PROJECT. A big group of Cyclo drivers will come to UP for a medical check-up, basic dental treatment and education, and a gift of food, hygiene and healthcare products. Third to receive an award was Mr Yorm Sileng for the project entitled MOBILE DENTAL CLUB. This project involves travelling to Siem Reap to help children in a local orphanage to achieve better dental and general health. The final award went to Mr Im Puthisa, for a project called DENTAL CARE PROJECT. This project is in Kampong Speu at a local orphanage, where the team will give oral health education to the children and caregivers, and apply fluoride, and fissure sealants on the children’s teeth. They will also provide the children with toothbrushes and toothpaste, and follow up every 6 months. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS! AND THANK YOU TO AHHA FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.
HIGHLIGHTS
LRDE Cambodia Donation Dear William.
I was very moved and inspired by my visit today to LRDE, “Le restaurant des enfants” which is basically a soup kitchen which feeds over 500 children per day and has provided over 750,000 meals to children since its inception. These children are street children - orphans, street beggars or scavengers on rubbish tips. Due to COVID, children cannot attend the centre so LRDE has increased its delivery of food directly to families including to children in the provinces. I was particularly impressed by the way that LRDE makes sure that food is delivered to children rather than being “misplaced”. Food goes directly to the children (or parents/guardians when they have them) - no middle man. For example, when LRDE provides valuable baby formula to parents/guardians, they have to show that the formula is being used each day and have to return the tin to get more. I was also inspired by the way that LRDE feeds not only the stomachs of children, but also feeds their brains by providing teachers, reading books and providing basic hygiene and health care checks such as handwashing, checking eyes and ears, haircuts, etc. LRDE is staffed by volunteers, most of whom were street children themselves. They were fed and looked after and now they give back by looking after the next generation
of children. One example is their tuk-tuk driver who was abandoned at the centre as an undernourished baby 25 years ago. LRDE provides hope and opportunity for these children. And most importantly a future. I was very proud to give a donation of almost $8000, from UP Covid Relief Fund which is donations from UP’s staff, students and wider family. LRDE receives 60% of its funds from Cambodian aid and 40% from international. Unfortunately, due to COVID much of this aid, especially international aid, has dried up. So these funds will come in very useful and will support LRDE for 8 months. Thank you for your very generous donation. You have helped provide these children with a future. We have taken lots of photos which we will make available once we have them, Very best wishes, Regards, Professor Ian Findlay, President and Vice-Chancellor University of Puthisastra
Newsletter • Issue 21 • January - December 2021 | 9
India & Sri Lanka COVID19 appeal Writer Dr Hien Tran
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing millions of deaths around the world, including Australia. Many of you have seen and read about reports of the devastating outbreak happening in India at the moment. Around the world, many countries have joined hands to provide aid to India to fight this pandemic. In response to the call from the Rotary Club of Strathfield, AHHA management committee in its recent meeting, unanimously agreed to provide some financial support. A nominal amount of $25,000 has been pledged towards this project. The money will be used to purchase critical medical equipment, PPE, hand sanitisers etc. At the same time, we have been informed by the chairman of Khmer Sight Foundation (KSF) and also
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by some of the local volunteers in Cambodia, the Covid-19 outbreak and infection is also widespread there with poor families being the worse off. In response to this, AHHA MC decided to provide humanitarian relief for 1,000 poor families in the form of food packages. The food packages will be distributed by the Khmer Sight Foundation and AHHA local volunteers. An amount of $25,000 has been pledged towards this cause. Despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic since last year, AHHA endeavour to continue its charity work both in Australia and overseas. We hope to receive financial support from our volunteers and donors so that AHHA can soon complete these two worthy and urgent projects.
India & Sri Lanka Appeal Appreciation
HIGHLIGHTS
Writer Thaya Ponniah (President of the Rotary Club of Strathfield)
Dear Dr William Tr inh, Dr Hien Tran and Mr Ted Mlynarz, We appreciate your decision to partne r with the Rotary of Strathfield to Club assist the deserv in g needy people wi COVID relief and th treatment faciliti es in the rural ar developing countrie eas of s, India and Sri La nka. We give below a br ief of our initiati ve to combat COVID your collaboration: with •
We have identified three Primary Health care centres in Indi and a Base Hospital a for Sri Lanka. The he alth centres are in the south of India, in a district call ed Thiruvannamalai. Here, most of the people are below av er age income level. The other is in the north of Sri Lanka ca lled Chavakachcheri Hospital. This hosp ital also caters to people affected by the 30-year civil war in Sri Lanka. • We are planning to equip COVID pr evention and cure focusing more on ki wards ds, maternal patien ts and the elderly. • Rotary club of Strathfield will pa rtner with other Ro clubs and Rotary di tary stricts (matching grants) in Australi India and Sri Lank a, a. These projects will come under two of Rotary Internationa focus areas - Dise l’s ase prevention & tr ea tment and Maternal child health. & We also take this opportunity to than k our energetic Ro Trudy Ho [AHHA volu tarian nteer] for connecti ng the two like-min organisations for ded a strategic synerg y. Looking forward to your partnership in serving humani especially the unde ty – rprivileged but de serving communitie s. Kind regards, Thaya Ponniah
Newsletter • Issue 21 • January - December 2021 | 11
VOLUNTEER PROFILE:
Dr Juliana Chong Writer Dr Juliana Chong I was born in Malacca, Malaysia and arrived as a teenager in Melbourne to complete the last year of my secondary school before gaining entry to the medical school at Melbourne University. After graduating, I trained in General Practice, Practice Management and Skin Cancer Surgery. Little did I know at the time how much these skills would help in working for AHHA. Once my two children were teenagers I was able to realise my long held ambition to do some overseas aid work. In 2003, I saw an ad in a medical magazine looking for volunteers for AHHA (known as VVP then). In 2004, together with my husband, an ophthalmologist, we travelled with a small team of ophthalmologists, optometrists and GPs to rural Vietnam. It was an eye opening experience to see third world medicine first hand. We operated with a Vietnamese team. I had no expectations but was allocated to surgical assisting for the Vietnamese head surgeon, who was very fast! I saw up close open methylated spirit flames for cautery, sitting on paper and threatening to engulf the side table. There was sutureless cataract surgery with fixed power lenses, boiling water “sterilisation” with instruments being returned with cooked blood on them, and a deep layer of rubbish on the theatre floor. The AHHA (VVP) team got together asking “how can we do this better?”. The next year we returned with
sterilisers, AScans and sharps containers. This practice of review and ongoing improvement continued ever since. I was fortunate to be involved in the discussions and the year long planning, making lists and asking for donations of supplies and equipments, borrowing, even buying which resulted. It has been a privilege to participate in the gradual improvement to modern, Australian standard cataract surgery with all the supplies, machines, safe practices that entails. AHHA team now consists of 12 Eye surgeons, Operating Theatre Nurses, Optometrists, Orthoptists, GP’s, Dentists, Pharmacists, and administrative team led by team leaders. I worked as a theatre managers/ coordinator for many years and have been the Victorian representative in the management committee. My participation in the evolution of AHHA has been exhilarating, exhausting at times but a very satisfying journey. On top of that I have built long lasting friendships with my fellow volunteers known as the AHHA family. I have now retired from medical practice but I plan to continue to support AHHA in any way I can as I know how hard the management committee works to make sure every donated dollar goes directly to the disadvantaged.
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Newsletter • Issue 21 • January - December 2021 | 13
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VOLUNTEER PROFILE:
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Dr Khanh-Tien Truong BAppSci(Optom), PGDipOcTher (QUT) Writer Dr Khanh-Tien Truong I came to Australia as a refugee in 1994. I consider myself a people person and I thought working as a healthcare professional would give me the opportunity, every day, to help others. While in high school, I met an optometrist who inspired me to pursue a career in Optometry. After graduating from QUT, I spent a few years working all over Australia, before moving to New Zealand where I worked in various specialised independent practices as well as part-time for a major contact lens company. During my time in New Zealand, I completed a post-graduate diploma through QUT allowing me to prescribe therapeutic agents for various eye conditions. Upon returning to Australia in 2010, I took a position with Andrew Knights Optometrists in Beenleigh and took over the practice in 2014, renaming it Knights & Associates Eyecare. To further expand on my speciality contact lens knowledge, I also worked part-time with the renowned John Mountford at his practice in Brisbane city. In 2014, I become a partner at another independent practice, A+ Eyecare Optometrists in Inala, and I took sole ownership three years later. Optometry is a fascinating profession which has been steadily expanding its scope of practice. Today this means that I can not only help people see clearly and comfortably but also overcome eye disease and use the latest research to slow the increase of myopia (short-sightedness) in children. AHHA appeals to me as I am very community driven and passionate about charitable work within Australia and overseas. Being able to combine my professional and community interests is very rewarding. Growing up in Brisbane I joined a Buddhist youth group and became a leader. I also became involved with a Vietnamese language school, eventually becoming principal for
eight years, and producing content for a local Vietnamese radio programme. I enjoy being involved with charitable fundraising events and have found myself being the MC at these on a number of occasions. I had heard of AHHA (VVPA) before I had the chance to join in 2012 and it quickly became my second family. I admire these like-minded and selfless people from all over Australia from diverse cultural backgrounds working together to help those less fortunate. It is a tight-knit, well-organised group. There is a commitment to the highest quality of care, and patients are always treated with dignity and respect. It is a privilege to be part of AHHA. I became a member of the Management Committee in my first year, representing Queensland volunteers and eventually became the Optometry Team Leader. As an eyecare professional I feel very fortunate to work alongside worldclass ophthalmologists. The Optometry Team also works closely with the GP and Pharmacist Teams. This means I have learned a lot as we go about bringing healthcare to our patients. On our various field trips to Vietnam and Cambodia, I have come across many touching and unforgettable stories. But one such story from the early years in Vietnam has always stayed close to my heart. Our Optometry Team is mainly responsible for screening patients for cataract surgery and providing post-operative care. One day in Bac Lieu, around lunch time, after going through the screening process an old man politely declined to have cataract surgery once he understood that he would need to wait around the rest of the afternoon for the operation. It was given to
me to try to find out why he wouldn’t wait and to try to persuade him to stay. Clearly, it wasn’t easy for him to reveal the reason. It broke my heart to learn that it was because he needed to carry on and sell the rest of his lottery tickets which was how he earned a small commission each day. I offered to purchase all his remaining tickets so he could stay and have his surgery with our team. I had to use all my powers of persuasion to get him to accept my offer as he thought this was too generous. Eventually he agreed and some of my teammates also bought tickets. Sadly we didn’t win the lottery but we were delighted to see this gentleman’s happy face when we uncovered his eye and he could see clearly again. Apart from the medical missions, I am also very pleased to be involved with AHHA’s various humanitarian projects, ranging from scholarships to food parcels and medical aids. The year 2021 marked my 10 years of involvement with AHHA. It sounds like a long time but it has all happened in the blink of an eye. Perhaps it’s because we always have a laugh, regardless of how busy we are and what challenges we have to face. I value the friendships formed and strengthened over the years and am looking forward to another 10 years and more with the amazing AHHA family. Of course, the past two years have been badly affected by the pandemic. I am sure we all miss the fundraisers and field trips - I know I do. But hopefully 2022 will see us gradually returning to something a bit more like the pre-COVID times. In closing, I wish the AHHA Management Committee, volunteers and supporters a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Newsletter • Issue 21 • January - December 2021 | 15
VOLUNTEER PROFILE:
Isabelle Nguyen Writer Ms Isabelle Nguyen Isabelle has been a dedicated AHHA volunteer for the past four years; working with the group in Cambodia on their annual field trips, organising various fundraising events, and most recently, has become the new Secretary of the 2021/2022 AHHA Management Committee. Born in Wagga Wagga, NSW, and growing up in Griffith, Isabelle has always valued the sense of community that comes with living in a small country town. Her experiences volunteering at a young age and witnessing the disparity in rural healthcare, ignited her ambition to enact change within her own and the wider community. With this passion in hand, Isabelle moved to Sydney in 2014 and went on to become the Community Service Captain of Pymble Ladies’ College in her final year of school. Isabelle’s journey with AHHA began in 2017 when she volunteered at their quarter-annual Cabramatta Freedom Plaza BBQ. Moved by the incredible camaraderie and philanthropic spirits of the other volunteers, she sought to organise her own fundraising event in further support of AHHA’s mission. Isabelle led a whole school ‘Colour Run’ fundraiser and glasses drive, both of which were met with immense success; over 1000 participants, 200 pairs of glasses, and $11,000 were raised, all going towards donating an operating microscope to the AHHA eye team. In August that year, Isabelle volunteered in the Khmer Soviet Friendship Hospital on the annual AHHA Cambodia field trip where she witnessed that very microscope at work. Isabelle reflects on how this experience has shaped her
perspective of the world; “It truly was eye-opening, in every sense of the word. I distinctly remember the expression of an elderly patient who had just completed her cataract surgery. The awe when she took in the world after living so long in darkness, and the appreciation she had for the volunteer doctors who had helped her, were powerful reminders of how a simple act of kindness, whether through donation or time, can make such a profound impact on someone’s quality of life.”
aid to disadvantaged villages. Her conscious efforts to create change were further recognised by the Australian Defence Force ‘Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award’ in 2018, and the prestigious Pymble Ladies’ College ‘Marden Prize’ in 2019 for exemplifying values of courage, responsibility, and integrity.
Isabelle’s contribution and passion in AHHA’s charity was recognised with a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’, presented at the 2017 annual AHHA Fundraising Dinner.
Doctor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and is currently in her third year. In virtue of her extensive involvement with the organisation, she was overjoyed to join the 2021 AHHA Management Committee as their Secretary. Working closely with the volunteer team, she is fortunate to witness and share in the remarkable efforts behind all of AHHA’s humanitarian projects.
In addition to travelling to Cambodia, Isabelle has also volunteered in Haiti, providing education to orphaned children affected by the devastating earthquake, and Nepal, where she worked with the local teaching hospital to provide humanitarian
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Upon graduating high school in 2019, Isabelle now studies a Bachelor of Medical Science/
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Although its youngest member, Isabelle hopes to bring new perspectives to the direction of AHHA, aiming to represent a role model to other young volunteers passionate about getting involved and making a difference in the world. Outside of her commitment to AHHA, Isabelle also devotes her passion for leadership as the current President of the UNSW Ophthalmology Society and the Secretary of a non-profit charity organisation, ‘Teach Learn Grow’ where she mentors disadvantaged students in rural Australian communities. In 2022, Isabelle will be completing her hospital placement at the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital- an opportunity for her to return to her roots and give back to the community in which she grew up. In future, Isabelle aspires to pursue a specialty in ophthalmology, motivated by the incredible work of the AHHA eye team in Cambodia and Vietnam. With her experience, she strives to fulfil and live by AHHA’s motto; ‘Giving sight to change lives', in hopes of providing a better quality of life to those in need. Isabelle looks forward to continuing her commitment to AHHA’s mission with the unifying passion and humanitarian vision of other like-minded volunteers. Newsletter • Issue 21 • January - December 2021 | 17
We would like to congratulate AHHA dental volunteer, Dr Trudy Lin, who has been awarded both the prestigious and the Qoin Career Achievement Award. The South Australia Young Achiever Award is awarded to an individual under thirty to acknowledge, encourage and promote the positive achievements throughout South Australia. The Qoin Career Achievement Award is awarded to Trudy for pursuing her dentistry career with passion and demonstrating the qualities of innovation, high achievement, hard work, leadership, a desire for selfimprovement and a focus on community needs. Dr Trudy Lin is one of only five registered specialists in Special Needs Dentistry in South Australia, providing oral healthcare to people affected by disability, psychiatric illnesses, and complex medical issues. A graduate of Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Trudy started working in the Special needs unit of the Adelaide Dental Hospital in 2016. She completed her Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Special Needs Dentistry Program and an Advanced Diploma in Nutrition in 2020. During COVID-19, she self-funded the establishment of a Supported Independent Living facility for people with disability to live in the community. Trudy has an honorary title with University of Adelaide as a senior clinical lecturer. 18 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)
OUR VOLUNTEERS:
Young Achiever Awards for South Australia Dr Trudy Lin Writer William Cheng, Awards Australia
Trudy is heavily involved in volunteering for the community – including overseas dental aid and humanitarian aid through AHHA (Australian Health Humanitarian Aid), the Royal Flying Doctor’s Service (providing dental care for rural and remote communities in SA), Camp Quality (camps for kids and families who are battling cancer), and fundraising for the Cancer Council (105km ultramarathon on the Heysen trail) and Leukaemia foundation (World’s greatest shave). To hear more information on Trudy’s awards and her passion for her patients please visit the Inspirational Australians podcast: https://omny.fm/shows/inspirational-australians/trudy-lin-aspecial-needs-dentist-with-a-passion-f
OUR VOLUNTEERS:
CONGRATULATIONS
Paul Harris Fellow Recipients:
Dr Chinh Nguyen & Dr Hung Tran
Writer Ted Mlynarz
Congratulations to Dr Chinh Nguyen and Dr Hung The Tran on being recognised by Rotary for their humanitarian and charitable endeavours and being presented with a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) in the November AHHA Management Committee function. Rotary is a worldwide organisation whose stated purpose is to bring people together to provide humanitarian service and advance goodwill and peace around the world. The Rotary Club of Liverpool West in Sydney has been a longtime supporter of Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA) and recognises the efforts and input of the many volunteers whose contributions improve the lives of those less fortunate. Paul Harris started Rotary over 100 years ago to encourage successful friends to "give back to the community" and the organisation has grown internationally and today there are around 1.2 million members operating from over 33,000 clubs. Dr Chinh is a Paediatric Dentist from Liverpool NSW and is co-leader of the AHHA Dental Team. He organised the team and assisted with more than 8440 dental procedures on disabled, special needs and orphaned
children both in Vietnam and Cambodia. He has provided training to students, local dentists and has been generous with donations of dental equipment Dr Hung has also been prominent with the dental team leadership and team organisation, also being involved with dental procedures on the disabled, special needs and orphaned children. Training of students and local dentists has also been an important part of his involvement on overseas missions. On a recent mission to Cambodia, Dr Hung noticed the sub-standard condition of wheelchairs used by disabled patients and organised a fundraising effort which enabled brand new wheelchairs to be donated. With each PHF, $US1,000.00 is contributed to the Rotary Foundation toward its humanitarian and educational programs which include educational opportunities, food, potable water, health care, immunisation and shelter for millions of people around the world. Again, CONGRATULATIONS to the recipients, a great effort which is a reflection on all our volunteers whose efforts cannot be underestimated.
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CONGRATULATIONS
OUR VOLUNTEERS:
Rotary Club of Liverpool West: Ted Mlynarz Writer William Cheng, Awards Australia
AHHA has a strong working relationship with the Rotary Club of Liverpool West. Several Rotarians are registered volunteers with AHHA and have participated with management and administrations activities as well joining AHHA with the missions to Vietnam and Cambodia. One such Rotarian and AHHA Volunteer is Ted Mlynarz. Ted has been involved with AHHA for more than a decade and in July 2021 was appointed as the President of the Rotary Club of Liverpool West. This is Ted’s second appointment to the position which he also held during 2009/10. Rotary Club President's duties include, however, not restricted to are: • Preside over club and board meetings • Appoint committee chairs and members • Conduct club assemblies • Create a budget and manage club finances including an annual audit (in conjunction with the club’s Treasurer) • Develop a safe environment for youth participants • Work with the Rotary district and assistant governor/s. Ted has been an active member of the AHHA Management Committee for several years and has made valuable contributions with his participation as Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chairman External Affairs as well activities which include fundraising and being part of the teams on overseas humanitarian missions to Vietnam and Cambodia. 20 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)
Ho Chi Minh City Oxygen Machine Donations
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Hue Community Centre
24 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)
Tru Noc Kampong Chhnang Food Donation
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Phnom Penh Food Parcel Photos
26 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)
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22 | Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA)
We need your help! Our mission would not be possible without the generous donations from our valued donors. Your donations will help us to provide life changing cataract surgeries, vital dental treatments, medical & dental supplies, education sponsorships, school supplies, food packages and more to those in need. Donate today to help us give sight to change lives! Donation forms are available online at www.ahha.org.au/forms/ or see page 21 & 22 of this newsletter. We thank you for your support.