During this past summer, Allie Murphy, an MPH student at UTMB's School of Public and Population Health, worked with Cambodia Global Health (CGH), a nonprofit organization founded in 2024 with a mission to develop medically accurate and culturally competent health curricula for K-12 schools in rural Cambodian villages.
Allie joined CGH as a Program Evaluation Intern as part of her Applied Practice Experience (APE). In this role, she evaluated the health curriculum from the perspective of the Cambodian teachers responsible for implementing the lessons -- an essential step in understanding the program's impact and identifying opportunities for improvement. Through her Global Health Practicum course, she also traveled to Cambodia, allowing her to build deeper relationships with local partners and gain firsthand insight into the communities served.
While in Cambodia, Allie and the CGH team visited three schools and engaged directly with administrators, educators, and students. Their first visit was the Chumkriel Language School in Kampot, where they connected with the community during the school's annual soccer tournament. Students later showcased their learning from the CGH health lessons through songs, dances, and posters, highlighting both their enthusiasm and growing health knowledge. The visit also included a wellness presentation and the distribution of educational pamphlets to support continued learning.
The second visit took place at Hun Sen Chamkardaung High School in Kep. There, Allie participated in in-depth discussions with school leaders, teachers, and high school students that extended beyond health practices to include conversations about higher education, career aspirations, and future goals. These discussions underscored the broader role that health education plays in shaping students' understanding of their well-being and life opportunities.
The final school visit was to Trapaingchhouk Primary School in Kep, where the focus was on younger students. Allie helped deliver a brief dental health lesson and provided pamphlets for classroom use, reinforcing foundational health concepts at an early age.
Outside of her program responsibilities, Allie visited the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields in Phnon Penh. These experiences deepened her understanding of Cambodia's history, particularly the trauma endured under the Khmer Rouge, and the country's ongoing efforts to heal and rebuild its educational and public health systems.
Allie also had the opportunity to spend a short layover in Taiwan, where she explored Taipei landmarks such as Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei 101, and Elephant Mountain. One of her favorite experiences was visiting Ningxia Nigh Market, where she especially enjoyed xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings.
Reflecting on her experience, Allie expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with community leaders and educators in Cambodia. She credits UTMB's School of Public and Population Health with preparing her to approach global health work with humility, compassion, and a strong foundation in best practices for community partnership. Through her Global Health Certificate, she continues to build the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to health equity across borders.