While looking for things to do in Siem Reap online, I came across the "Beatocello" Concert. It was a free concert every Saturday evening. And just like that, it was in our aspiration list of things to do.
On the way to Angkor Wat, we passed by several posh hotels like the Sofitel and other local brands. And right in the middle was the concert venue. It's minimalist structure with funky signage definitely leaves an impression -- that of interest and curiosity.
All we knew was that someone was playing the Cello that evening. Upon entering the halls, we slowly wondered if we were a bit underdressed (think tropical vacation-wear). We were given leaflets about the work of Kantha Bopha and there were a number of booklets and CDs on sale outside the hall.
Little by little, the hall was filled, by locals and foreigners alike. Then eventually, Dr. Beat Richner took the stage, made a little speech and eventually started, "Beatocello" - Dr. Beat and the Cello.
But what initially seemed to be an evening of music was actually an evening of philanthropy. The concert serves both as an awareness-raising and fundraising activity for his four hospitals across Cambodia. He initially went to Cambodia as a young doctor and came back for the second time and never really left. Read this for a proper background.
A video was also shown during the concert to have a visual account of the reasons behind Dr. Richner's work. The abject poverty in Cambodia just makes access to hospital care only available to a few. It also happens in the Philippines but in Cambodia, most are just too poor to even go to a hospital. And there is also a scarcity of hospitals.
While going around Siem Reap and its surroundings, one would see several signages of bilateral and multilateral funders all over. Livelihood, tourism, infrastructure. So for sure, help is there. I just didn't see anything on the health sector. I'm pretty sure there's aid to the health sector too beyond Swiss efforts. I just didn't see it.
After seeing social poverty in a country which seemed poorer than my own country, now, I'm suddenly wondering, should aid agencies and governments prioritize economic development or humanitarian development work? Forget political development. Retarded naman ang politics. :p
We left the concert deeply moved. We just wanted to do something. Contribute, help. Whether it was for Cambodia or for the Philippines. Of course, we were just tourists and staying on to say, volunteer were something we could not do then. But the air of the need to share was definitely embedded in us.
Siem Reap just makes me want to buy, buy, buy or give, give, give. There's something about this place that makes generosity flow.
No comments:
Post a Comment