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> Bangladesh Flood Relief
Report of Bangladesh Team 1 ( 28th November to 6th December 2008)
By Chia Shao Xiong
The trip to Bangladesh
was in response to the excessive flooding situation the
country experiences almost every year. The floods have
caused numerous health problems to the people of Bangladesh
and medical help is expensive and inaccessible to the
common villagers.
The team of seven members was led by Dr. Lim Koon Jin
who oversaw the entire preparation process for the trip
by delegating different roles to different members of
the team. Helen Yap was the assistant team leader who
handled all administrative and financial matters.
Dr Angeline Yong and Lim Hui Shan (nurse) was in charge
of preparing the clinical items. Chia Shao Xiong was in
charge of general logistics and Rita Ng was in charge
of the things required for children's ministry.
Our last team member Stephanie Lim was not involved in
much of the preparation because she was still overseas
thus was put in charge of capturing the moments during
the trip with her digital camera. |
The relief team preparing for check-in at the airport
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A typical day while we were at Bangladesh would normally involve
us first traveling to the place where our clinic will be set
up, which varies from a half hour walk to a two hour boat ride.
The setting up of the clinic was a little more difficult in
the beginning but got easier towards the middle of the trip
when we got accustomed to how the clinic should be run. The
clinic closes in the afternoon for lunch and in the evening
before it gets too dark. The location of the clinics are normally
at places that have no lighting fixtures thus we have to close
before the sun sets if not we would be plunged in total darkness.
On the last two days we had children's ministry where we played
basketball with some of the older children and conducted some
craft sessions with them. We also went around for house visits.
That was when we discovered that the daughter of one of our
hosts was seriously ill for days. Upon closer examination the
doctors discovered a growth on her armpit which has to be surgically
removed before it causes further complications. That very night
the doctors performed a surgery on the girl removing the growth
and the pus that was in it. If we had not went around for the
house visits we would not have discovered about the girl's condition.
Click for bigger image:
We would think that the surgery was to be the highlight of the trip but God has more in store for us. The incident that I would never forget about the trip would be Dr. Angeline discovering that she had lost her passport just hours before we depart. It was on a Friday which was a rest day for Bangladesh thus the Singapore high commission was closed. Despite all that has happened, the team prayed earnestly that Dr. Angeline would be able to return with us on the same flight. To cut the long story short, prayers were answered and God has shown us His mercy and faithfulness, Dr. Angeline had her passport problem resolved and came back safely to Singapore with us.
I believe that God has shown me in this trip that He is the
one in control of everything and that we should be dependent
on Him. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and learnt many new
things from this trip. I would definitely return to Bangladesh
again if time allows and would encourage all who are interested
to take up the challenge. |
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