Adventure and charity were the major reasons Jani Roponen and I took prosthetic and orthotic devices to Cambodia. It was also one way of challenging a piece of incredible legislation of the European Union. Although, with limited resources, it demonstrates what can be achieved through international co-operation and development without the support of large organisations; all you need is a good idea and a few people to carry it out.
In June 2007, while on holiday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, driving a motorbike on a busy roundabout, I suddenly heard someone shouting: “Janne!”
It was Markku Ripatti, an old friend of mine, who know works as Lecturer at the Cambodia School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, which is part of the Cambodia Trust’s programme.
As I am the president of a small association called the “Association of the Active Amputees in Finland” I decided to visit the Cambodia Trust school where I was very impressed; and liked the atmosphere there.
I told Markku, how used prosthesis were thrown away at home, although they were still usable. However, an EU law, forbids the recycling of components anywhere within the EU. But, I told him that I would do my best to collect the rejected, but still usable, prostheses and bring them to CSPO.
In Finland, Suomen Proteesipalvelu Oy (Ltd) is the company, where I got the prostheses. As, I am not a professional they helped me a lot. And, as i did not enough money to transport the prostheses to Cambodia; the association collected some for this purpose.
I dismantled the prostheses at home because we didn’t have enough money to rent premises for this purpose. I saved only the best parts, about 10 per cent were acceptable for our purpose.
We collected the parts from the firm making them. The firm became inspired by the idea: not to throw away the usable replacements and parts but save them to help the Cambodia Trust. The parts were collected by ads in newspapers, too.
Finally, after a year, we had enough money and parts. I asked the board of my association for permission to go and was granted it. The vice-president, Jani Roponen, promised to come with me and carry the components in our rucksacks. Jani Roponen and I are both amputees. I am amputated under the knee, and Jani is above the knee.
We only had the money to buy the cheapest flight tickets and with loaded packs full of components ( altogether 40 kilograms) flew to Bangkok. From there we travelled to over land to Campodia with the heavy packs. Staying in cheap hostels and travelling by local buses we finally made it to Phnom Penh.
We took some usable parts of prostheses and orthoses to CSPO, where they are used to educate students to make western-type replacements. Second-hand components are only used in Cambodia for training purposes for the students at CSPO, they are not used as parts for prostheses that are provided to amputees.
We had a good time in the school with the students. They were very excited to see our components of flexible feet, knee braces, other carbon fibre prostheses and many different models including titanic parts.
After our journey we were able to enjoy a short vacation. We travelled to Sihnoukville to scuba dive and drive motor cycles around the province. It was fun, and although Jani fell down with his bike a few times, luckily, nothing serious happened!
We are now back in Finland where we continue our mission to collect prostheses, as you never know where they will be needed.
The Cambodia Trust Ireland has launched a blog to keep supporters up to date with their work.
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