Today was the day! The H&H seminar began. We got off to a good start. We have 25 students this year. It was so good to see familiar faces and renew friendships. It was like a year had not passed. There are also new people just starting the program this year. The newly formed H&H Council did a great job. They are running the seminar, looking after all the details, and seeing to all the needs. They are learning. I'm sure we will hit a few bumps over the next couple of days and especially next week when we go out into the community with the health promoters. It is all good though. God is at work.
Videth started us off with lessons on heart disease and stroke. She did a gret job. She has been sick with vertigo for over 1 week. She had gone to the hospital before we arrived. She says it has gotten better but her world still spins when she turns her head. What a trooper. We gave her an out but she turned it down. Videth is Cambodian. She was born here but her parents moved to USA when she was 2 years old. She can speak the language but still felt more comfortable using the translator. However at one point she switched to Khmer and TR (our translator) was so into it he just went on translating for her! We all got a good laugh. She did well and the pressure is now off for her.
TR is the same translator we had last year. He is a young Cambodian man who manages a nightclub as his "day"job. Last year he had this long flowing hair. Quite the rebel. Today I did not recognize him. His hair is very short. He is dissappointed because he cut it for a job he did not end up getting. You can't mistake him once he talks. He learned English by hanging out with some Australians here in Cambodia. He speaks with an Australian accent! G'd day mate! He is a Christian and just the nicest young man. It was a pleasant surprise to see him again.
Tomorrow is a big day. All of our other topics will be taught. Steve, Justin, Stephanie, Ellie and Craig are all teaching. Justin will be covering AIDS/HIV. He is nervous broaching this subject but it is necessary. He will do great. Stephanie and Ellie follow up that
