With all of the negative stories about the Canadian presence in Afghanistan lately, it’s nice to come across a story that focuses on the good work the Canadian military is doing in this war-torn country. A small gesture, maybe, but it reflects true “Canadian” values.
It was buried deep in the pages of the “Canoe” website but it makes for a nice Sunday morning read.
Canadian medics aid Afghan village
…GHANI KALACHAH, Afghanistan (CP) – A team of Canadian army medics practised some health-care diplomacy Friday by setting up a temporary clinic in this sun-baked, dirt poor Afghan village.
…Cleaning swollen, infected cuts, pulling rotten teeth and handing out Advil were among the treatments dispensed by the medics, some of whom seemed aghast at the grinding poverty in the community of 5,000 homes.
…The Canadian physician in charge was under no illusions about the impact of the goodwill gesture.
“…It was Band-aid treatment, but in the big picture it’ll go a long way to showing that we’re here to help as Canadians and as westerners,” said navy Lieut. Ian Beck, 43, a former general practitioner from London, Ont.
…“We want to help these people have a better life.”
…Villagers endeared themselves to Canadian troops a few weeks ago by helping a stranded convoy get one vehicle back on the road. There is no clinic in the community, and sending in the medics for a few hours was the army’s way of saying thanks.
Read the full story here.
It’s a quick read, but worthwhile to see a small slice of how our Canadian soldiers have helped the Afghanis.
