Sussmans continue yearly Cambodia teaching expedition

Local fund-raising supper planned for Saturday
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Ted and Iva Sussman commit several weeks a year to teaching in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
    Last year saw a loss of a million dollars in funding when a Japanese philanthropist redirected funding to Japan after the tsunami. This resulted in a partial shut down of the free care provided at the Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope
    For the last three years, Tina Brown and Tammy Farwell, both nurses have planned and organized a benefit supper to help the project financially.
    Through the years, the Sussmans have shared their trip experiences through sideshows and answering questions about their work.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
RAISING FUNDS — Iva and Ted Sussman of Houlton have committed several weeks of the year to teaching in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
    “We were talking one day and decided it would be really cool to try a fundraiser,” explained Farwell of the benefit supper that drew 400 people. “We were hoping to raise $2,000 the first year. I remember thinking that might be a little too high. But, we raised almost $15,000 that year.”
    Though the supper was not advertised as much as the two would have liked last year, about 100 people attended and raised monies for the Cambodian project.
    “We are dedicated nurses who see what Dr. Sussman and Iva are doing,” said Brown. “We want to do it, too. But due to family restraints and monies, we just can’t go over to Cambodia and donate ourselves as they do. So, we wanted to give [to their work] in this way.”
    A spaghetti benefit supper will be Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Houlton Lodge of Elks from  4-8:30 p.m. All proceeds of the dinner, bake sale and raffle will go to the work in Cambodia. Houlton Region II students will provide the items for the bake sale, including whole pies, which can be purchased even if someone isn’t coming to the dinner. The Houlton Lodge of Elks has also donated use of the building. Supper cost is a donation at the door.
    “The supper is interlaced with the Houlton High School musical,” said Farwell. “People can go to the show and then come and eat or they can eat and go to later show.”
    People can also call or come in to take a dinner to go.
    Brown recognizes the financial strain on community members in a tough economy.
    “I know people want to give, but can’t give much,” she said. “Without the clinic, there will be more deaths and more people without aid.”
    Farwell looks at a donation as a way to make a difference.
    “We do nursing every day,” she said. “We nurse in a health care environment where our patients are going to get care and be treated. Over there, without people’s help, they don’t get care. They will die or suffer without the generosity of others.”
    The funds raised at the benefit supper will send medications and other medical supplies to the Cambodian people.
    “If they are in pain or suffering from an infection and they don’t have money to walk into their hospital and pay the bill upfront, they get turned away. They don’t get the care like we do. A course of antibiotics could make all the difference.”
    Brown and Farwell keep the outside help at a minimum with their daughters serving, as well as Brown’s husband Rob cooking with Glen Targonski. Others from Houlton Regional Hospital volunteer, as well.
    “We have a small group of people,” said Brown. “The Sussmans are waiting tables right beside us,” Farwell added.
    Brown and Farwell have collected donations from local businesses for a silent auction, along with door prizes.
    Through the course of the supper, the Sussmans mill around talking about their Cambodian contributions.
    “This is the community’s chance to assist the Sussmans,” explained Farwell. “They have given so much to this community that it feels really good to give something back to these people, who never ask for anything in return.”
    “We know as nurses, we are extending ourselves by doing this supper,” said Brown. “It just makes you feel like you are doing something good.”
    Anyone who wishes to donate to Iva Sussman’s educational work in giving supplies to the school for the children, can do so by bringing and giving their donations to her separately at the supper.
    “This is such a great support from our community,” said Farwell. “We are happy to give to the Sussmans. It’s humanitarian. When people are in need. They are in need. And, it shouldn’t really matter if it means the difference of life or death. And, we have a good time.”