Cambodia is a country you can’t easily forget, not only because of the impressive Angkor Wat, but also because of its painful history. I was there for a brief trip at the end of September to both the capital city, Phnom Penh & the touristy place, Siem Reap where Angkor Wat locates.The wonderful pictures of Cambodia is abundant online, the yummy restaurants guide is comprehensive in "Lonely Planet" easily found everywhere in the country. But a few things you have to experience first hand: the horrors at Khmer Rouge killing field & S-21 Prison Museum in Phnom Penh, the "disturbing" free concert by Dr. Beatocello in Hospital Jayavarman VII, Siem Reap, every Saturday 7:15 p.m.
Swiss Dr. Beat Richner (http://www.beat-richner.ch/) has spent more than 30 years in Cambodia to provide free & high-quality medical services to the poor & needy. He's been through some tough years but he's always passionate about his mission. "As a medical doctor, I use the Cello to communicate the vision of my work - The Cello is my weapon!" That's how people fondly call him Dr. Beatocello.
"For the young audiences, we ask you to donate blood! For the old ones, money please. For the middle-aged, both blood & money are welcome!" This is something he repeated throughout the concert because the pledge is not for his own sake - every single cent / franc will all go to the foundation. He also shared with the audience some insights gained through his 3-decade service in Cambodia - why he wanted to provide such high-quality medical services free of charge?
1. This country has suffered a lot during the wars both external & internal.
2. Corruption is overwhelming.
3. The attitude / mindset of developed countries in certain degree hinders the development of the health welfare of Cambodia. e.g. The Red Cross officers told him the equipment in his hospitals in Cambodia are way too expensive considering the economic status of Cambodia.
Dr. Beat shared the principle he always sticked to that all patients should be treated equally with the best available equipments & medicines if possible. Imagine an outdated blood donation system which couldn't detect HIV will cause a disaster. The treatment of a patient shouldn't be compromised. - I fully agree!
"While we can't change the history of Cambodia & the corruption of the country, at least, we can change the attitudes of developed countries. I want Cambodian children to be treated the same way we treat our children back in Switzerland!"
Do drop by and listen to his free concert if you're in Siem Reap. Following are the concert schedule in Switzerland:
ZÜRICH, Grossmuenster , 2. Dezember,12.00 Uhr, 2007
GENEVE, Hotel Beaurivage , 3 Decembre,18.00 heures, 2007
ZURICH, Dienstag 6. Mai 2008
Tributes to Dr. Beatocello - a man I truly admire!
