If you find this story hard to believe, that’s okay.
Because I feel the same way.
Like how could we have arrived JUST at the right time??
So…this is what happened.
Noung (my tuk tuk driver) and I had just finished breakfast at the market. It was our first time there together.
As we walked through the narrow aisle we could see a commotion up ahead. I didn’t pay too much attention until I realised that there was a floppy body in the middle of the group of stall holders.
I would normally look away for privacy, but for some reason I didn’t.
I won’t go into details because it’s quite upsetting. But from all appearances the body looked like it was no longer alive.
There were probably four or more people rubbing the body violently. Someone had tiger balm oil. Someone else was punching the torso wildly. It was a chaotic scene with screaming and yelling all at once.
I had no idea what could have possibly happened, but the way the body was being held seemed completely wrong.
I managed to get Noung’s attention and yelled at her that the body needs to lie down flat.
It took a while for her to convince the “helpers”.
I then said: roll to the side!!
Over and over again. Showing with my hands what I meant. I had to yell over the noise. I knew Noung was translating but everything felt as if it was slow motion.
My face became completely numb as I realised I was the only person there who knew anything about first aid….and I really don’t know anything at all!!
Once the body was rolled to the side, I realised that this was a woman.
Up until then it was a non-descript body.
As soon as the woman was on her side the liquids in her mouth started to come out. Up until that point she had been choking by having her head backwards, completely floppy.
They were still hitting and rubbing but all of a sudden I heard a gurgle.
Immediately the woman was picked up, with limbs falling everywhere and pretty much thrown into a tuk tuk. It was shocking to say the least.
From my time living in Cambodia, I know that medical care can be denied if the hospital think that the patient will be unable to pay their medical bills.
So me and Noung rushed off to the hospital to let them know that they need to give her all the treatment she requires.
Noung explained to me that the Banana Woman has no family and lives by herself.
The hospital would need a relative to arrive within 30 min so they could approve her “poor person” card.
It felt horrible to leave the hospital but it was amazing the security had let us through in the first place.
I had Noung give the doctor USD100 so he knew that there was money.
At this point, all we know is that the Banana Woman has high blood pressure. She was unable to know this since she has never had any medical care before. She fainted after riding her bike to the market after collecting bananas before sunrise.
Thankfully she fainted once she was around some people, and not on her own.
Sadly, they broke three of her teeth when they forced a spoon into her mouth.
I think it’s been three days (I’ve lost track), and the Banana Woman is still in in hospital. They have still not managed to get her blood pressure down. There is concern for clots if that isn’t sorted soon.
After checking with Noung if there was money coming from the family or friends…and finding out that the market stall holders had raised $50 to help, and the relatives would only loan money…not give. I realised that I would need to step in. I felt uncomfortable about it because I’m already asking for help with my crowdfunding campaign, and it’s always the same people who give. It feels crazy to ask for more.
But I knew I had to. So yesterday morning I put the request out on social media…
And just now, just over 24 hours later…
I have transferred $2081 (Australian)
This money will cover the medical costs. If there is any extra it will go to pay for her dental bills and then money so she can rest and recover at home without feeling a rush to return to selling bananas.
My heart is absolutely overflowing with gratitude to the women (and one man) in the Happily Made Village who gave so quickly to help a stranger many many kilometers away.
It’s an honour to be coordinating the effort.
And I don’t take it lightly.
I will continue to pass on any donations and hopefully this woman will feel the love despite her horrific situation.
Oh…and another incredible part about this story is that every moon day (full moon), Noung gives the Banana Woman some money so she can go to the pagoda to pray. Because she feels a connection to her for being another single woman who lives by herself.




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