Message from Babette Munting

My name is Babette Munting and I have known Kazumi Akao for 23 years. I first met “Kazu” when I worked as a volunteer at the Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which was the most sustainable volunteer work I have ever done. I volunteered there for 6 months whereas Kazu has been working as a nurse leader and mentor, developing Home Care /Outreach, HIV and Palliative Care projects for 24 years!

I was so excited, this year, for the opportunity to volunteer at Lao Friends Hospital for Children, and to work with Kazu again.

One of the most interesting and rewarding challenges is to understand how people express cultural beliefs, values and behaviors, especially as it relates to illness and suffering. Kazu and her team have a deep, compassionate and inquisitive understanding through their lived, learned and explored experiences. With this knowledge they assess every child, family and community to see how they can best serve the interests and medical needs of their patients and their families.

Kazu’s team has the challenge to work with remote district hospitals and local health centers to find solutions for the needs of the children after they have been discharged from the Lao Friends Hospital for Children. Many children live as far as 6 hours away, over very poorly maintained roads, without access to transportation. Kazu and her team provide emotional, physical and culturally sensitive care to the children and their families. They also educate district health center nurses, as needed, to provide supportive care, and promote the best quality of life possible.

It is such an honor to work not once but twice in my lifetime with Kazu, an exceptional role model, mentor and teacher.

Please support the great work Kazumi is doing at LFHC!

Babette Munting, Specialist(Volunteer)