Marah's diary entries

«When life hurts – Siem Reap heals.»

A saying we often heard from hospital staff and proud residents of this special city.

For two months, I had the privilege of witnessing how the team at Kantha Bopha Hospital works every day to ensure that a stay in Siem Reap can truly heal, in the truest sense of the word. For this, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the directors, doctors, nurses, midwives, and all the staff at the hospital and the Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital Foundation.

As inspiration for this final post, I read some of the texts written by my predecessors. All the beautiful words about the warmth of the people, their dedication to their work, the smiles that I will miss so much in Switzerland – I would have loved to highlight everything in blue and copy and paste it. I could fill dozens of pages with experiences, with what I have learned, with what has been patiently shown to me, with stories about people to whom I am infinitely grateful for this unforgettable time.

Instead, I have decided to share a few short diary entries—a colorful selection of moments and thoughts, from the everyday to the very special.

August 5, 2025

I will never again experience such good and intensive one-on-one teaching as I have here at the PICU. I will never again sweat so profusely during a ward round. My gratitude for the AC grows day by day.

August 7, 2025

Today, for the first time, I saw a child die after a long and serious illness. There is a superstition at the PICU that a swinging lamp above a sickbed means that death is near. I looked up and saw the lamp swaying gently back and forth this morning.

August 19, 2025

Here, I experience medicine as one imagines it at the beginning of one's studies. It's about people and healing—an experience I often missed in Switzerland.

August 22, 2025

Sokchan is the fairy godmother of the cafeteria. Last month, the students were always served Bai Sach Chrouk; as a vegetarian, I couldn't continue this tradition, much to her confusion. But I am a loyal consumer of her iced milk green tea – the best in town.

August 27, 2025

I never thought I would be bathing in a waterfall with the hospital directors or singing “I Am Sailing” to Professor Chanta's guitar music at a picnic spot. Every day here brings new surprises.

September 3, 2025

Last night I dreamed I was pregnant – and I was actually happy about it. After almost two weeks at the maternity ward, I am amazed every day by what the team here achieves – and by how bravely and quietly the mothers give birth to their children (in my dream, I screamed).

September 9, 2025

When a ward is cleaned, all patients are moved outside with their beds – or carpets. Staff, relatives, and children naturally help out, working together like a well-coordinated team.

September 17, 2025

The porters and security staff are also among the everyday heroes of the hospital. They are the first to greet us with a smile in the morning – and they do their best to understand our unpredictable routines: "When are they coming? When do they leave? And which entrance do they use?" The head of security at the crosswalk stops all traffic with a whistle from his iconic whistle as soon as we come into view. A fleeting friendship has developed between us. I hope he wins his badminton match at 6 p.m. tonight – we know his routines by now, too.

September 29, 2025

At the end of my internship, I was able to help out a lot in cardiac surgery again. My experiences here are definitely among the most exciting of my internship. Dr. Ladin grew up in a farming family and is now one of the best heart surgeons in the country—it is an honor to stand at the operating table with him as a student.

September 30, 2025

On my last afternoon, Jan and I visited the new oncology ward, where children receive chemotherapy for months. Sky-blue walls, a TV playing in the corner, children learning math together in the middle of the room. The talented nurse Roth plays the guitar, a boy sings and drums – at some point we even sing along. The music would certainly have been in the spirit of Dr. Beat Richner. A bittersweet place where grief, joy, hope, and empathy come together. A beautiful ending that symbolizes the entire hospital and all its employees.

This is just a small glimpse into two months full of unforgettable experiences. There is also much to recount beyond the daily routine at the hospital – from our adventures in Mondulkiri over the holidays, to jogging with doctors, bachata lessons, or a Kun Khmer competition with our boxing trainer, to convivial evenings with new friends from Cambodia and Switzerland.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Elodie, Lars, Simon, Devanshi, and Jan: for all the mornings spent dodging rabid dogs, the Scrabble lunches, and the Catan evenings—and for allowing me to share so many beautiful, funny, and also sad moments with you.

And to the children of Cambodia, who always waved at us with a cheerful “Hello!” from all sides: Sousdey! I wish you a healthy, long life – and, despite all your enthusiasm for it, without a visit to Kantha Bopha Hospital. Should you ever need it, however, you will be in the very best hands there.

From the bottom of my heart,

Marah