Dr Ryder in Cambodia

When I was in college there was a man I knew, a dentist, who regularly made volunteer trips to other countries. He would take exotic journeys up the Amazon or to the Far East, and help people out of pain, help educate them, and simply provide compassion to those that would otherwise not have received it.

From this inspiration I made the decision to go to dental school, and someday follow in my mentor’s footsteps. Of course dental school was demanding and difficult. Graduation, starting up in practice, building a new life with my family, teaching, and worrying about patients, kids and money, made me lose site of my original goal.

It wasn’t until several years later when life started to stabilize that I remembered my role model and the inspiration he gave me.

A couple of years ago, I had the privilege to meet and study with another role model, a National Geographic photographer, who happened to be associated with an organization called United Planet.

At the time, United Planet was just starting to offer volunteer opportunities to Asia.

Armed with a background in Asian Studies, a duffel bag of dental supplies, and a camera, I boarded a plane for Cambodia. Three days later I arrived at Siem Reap International Airport. I was greeted by 90-degree heat and a never-ending flow of beautiful smiling and welcoming faces. Two escorts with a private car drove me to my hotel and graciously introduced me to Khmer culture.

One of our first stops was a quick tour of the Angkor Hospital for Children where I was scheduled to work for the next 10 days. I was told to report back promptly after lunch as the dental team was going out to the countryside to provide care in a small village. After an arduous ride over dirt roads, we arrived at a small cement block building. Outside there were about 20 people lined up waiting. Inside, I found a single table and chair, no electricity and no running water. Using flashlights and natural light from high overhead windows, we extracted teeth all afternoon until we ran out of sterile instruments.

The rest of the trip was spent treating children at the hospital dental clinic. Luxurious by comparison to the first day with the fully equipped clinic, I was able to give over 125 children their smiles back and relieve their pain.

Many nights after returning to the privacy of my hotel room, I sobbed with disparity realizing both the pain and suffering of these beautiful children, and the intense and profound satisfaction I was feeling from helping them.

Traveling in this way, as volunteers, place us in an environment that the average sightseer would most likely never experience. We are able to connect with a culture in a simple, transparent way by sharing our time, and, avoid the pomp and circumstance of buses, tour guides and souvenir shops.

I was able to spend time with people in their homes and share a meal, or, go swimming and play with kids I treated in the clinics. I watched the sunrise and breathed in the sandalwood incense as I walked with the Buddhist monks on their morning alms quest. I spent a lazy afternoon practicing the Khmer language and laughing out loud while it rained so hard we could barely see the surrounding rice fields. I experienced unbelievable sights, such as the Angkor Wat temple complex, and an entire village that floats, and moves with the floods and draughts, on the largest lake in South East Asia.
And most importantly, I realized the magic of empathy and compassion.

Since that first visit, I have returned to Cambodia 7 times. I have made life-long friends, joined the boards of local NGOs and Universities, and helped found a non-profit organization that provides education and basic life support to street children and the very poor.

With the core support of United Planet, dozens of professionals have contributed to improving the educational, agricultural, and economic systems in developing countries. United Planet provides almost unlimited volunteer opportunities for anyone that wants to make a difference in someone’s life.

Anyone can help anyone. We all have a talent, skill, or passion that can be shared with those less fortunate. And believe me, there is no greater feeling of satisfaction and sense of appreciation than making that magic connection with someone that needs you.

Right now, today, there are over one billion people living around the world in terrible poverty. They are living without clean water, without decent food or shelter, without regular access to education or health care, and without hope. We are the world’s most privileged. It is simply our responsibility to extend help and compassion if we are able.

The Buddha said, “If you are pointed in the right direction, all you have to do is start walking.”

United Planet is pointed in the right direction. Now, all we have to do is take the first step.