Dear Friends,
We hope this letter finds you and your loved ones well and enjoying the warmth and beauty of summer.
Recently, we had the pleasure of reconnecting with Jon Morgan, Director of The Lake Clinic (TLC) in Cambodia. Many of you will remember that The Lake Clinic provides essential healthcare to families living on the remote floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake—Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake and home to some of Cambodia's poorest and most isolated communities. For many families, fishing is their only source of income, and access to medical care has traditionally been almost impossible.
Our journey with The Lake Clinic began many years ago when we first met Jon while he was Director of the Children's Hospital in Siem Reap. During that visit, we volunteered by building drying sheds for the hospital laundry. Jon then invited us to visit the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake.
The experience was unforgettable. We traveled by small boat through communities where entire villages floated on the water. Families lived in terrible floating homes, relying almost entirely on fishing for their livelihood. We were deeply moved by the resilience of the people, but also by the tremendous challenges they faced.
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While meeting with one of the village chiefs, he explained that there was no healthcare available for the thousands of people living on the lake. When someone became seriously ill, they had to travel long distances by boat to reach land and then somehow find transportation to a medical clinic—something many families simply could not afford. Preventable illnesses often became life-threatening because treatment came too late.
On our journey back to Siem Reap, Jon shared his vision of bringing healthcare directly to these isolated communities. We immediately knew we wanted to help make that vision a reality.
When we returned to Canada, K.I.D.S. launched a fundraising campaign to build the very first floating medical clinic. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our donors, that dream became a reality.
Today, TLC has grown into an extraordinary healthcare program. The first K.I.D.S.-funded floating clinic inspired other international partners to join the effort, and there are now five floating clinics serving communities throughout Tonle Sap Lake and the Stung Sen River. Each week, teams of Cambodian doctors, nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals travel by boat to these remote locations, living aboard the clinics while providing care to hundreds of patients. They also make home visits to elderly residents, people with disabilities, expectant mothers and families who cannot travel.
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The services provided extend far beyond treating illness. The clinics offer adult and pediatric primary care, prenatal and maternal health services, vaccinations, dental and eye care, health education, nutrition programs, clean water and sanitation education, and referrals to mainland hospitals when specialized treatment is needed. These programs have dramatically improved the health and well-being of thousands of families while helping prevent disease before it starts. Since opening in 2007, TLC has provided well over 360,000 free healthcare services to some of Cambodia's most vulnerable people.
We have visited these floating clinics many times over the years and continue to be inspired by the dedication and compassion of the medical teams. They travel long distances in difficult weather conditions, often working far from their own families, because they believe everyone deserves access to quality healthcare. Their commitment truly saves lives.
None of this would have been possible without you.
Because of your generosity, K.I.D.S. continues to support TLC by funding the salaries of three midwives who rotate among the five floating clinics. These dedicated professionals provide essential prenatal care, assist with safe deliveries, care for newborns, and support mothers and families throughout the region. Your ongoing support ensures that these life-saving services continue to reach those who need them most.
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From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping bring hope, healing and dignity to so many people. Together, we are making a lasting difference. We wish you and your family a wonderful summer.
Until Next Time,
Adrianne and Rick