It ain't sexy, but it works

I just signed up for health insurance for our staff, and requested a quote for another policy that will allow part-time staff and family members of our staff to get insurance through us, paying for their own policy but getting a lower group rate. We're trying to get insurance coverage for two older staff members, but they will have higher premiums.

Health insurance isn't sexy.

Feeding babies, teaching children, taking a sick woman to a hospital - these are things we can see and imagine ourselves in. These are moments of grace in a world of tragedy, where one person can help another directly.

But - probably because I've chosen to be one of those people! - someone has to do the boring stuff too. To inventory the baby food, to make sure there's stationary and chairs in classrooms and to file medical reports.

And health insurance?

One of our part-time teachers, a sweet and dedicated woman, is in hospital in Vietnam right now. She had no health insurance and Cambodia has no real public healthcare. Her entire family are now in massive debt for the surgery and treatment she will need. Most likely, one of her siblings will give up on university or they will sell their home.

We're holding her job open and keeping her on half-pay as long as we can. Our insurance premiums are US$2,645 this year, less to cover our entire office than her hospital bills so far.

And she has family willing and able to help her.

She's considered lucky.

So health insurance may not be sexy, especially for donations, but it works. It's more than just our staff missing fewer days to illness because they're not terrified of going to see a doctor. It's being able to attract and keep great staff long-term because we have decent wages and health insurance, and having them work hard and long hours in return. It means we do better work, and more of it.

Thank you for understanding why the boring stuff counts too.