Chhoy Bunsokheng has been welcomed by hundreds of Cambodians from all walks of life, as he completes his 528km journey on foot. Supplied
On January 11, contemporary artist and photographer Chhoy Bunsokheng will take the final steps of his 528-kilometre trek around the Tonle Sap Lake.
After 15 days of walking through seven provinces, his “Yeardtraa” campaign will culminate at the Angkor Children’s Hospital in Siem Reap province.
“This final day of walking marks the conclusion of the campaign , for which I set the the goal of raising between $3,000 and $5,000 to purchase medical equipment,” Bunsokheng told The Post.
The campaign’s name, Yeardtraa, comes from the Pali Sanskrit word for walking.
The funds will go toward buying items like pins and wires for resetting broken bones, essential for treating the large number of children receiving critical care at Angkor Children’s Hospital.
The former long-distance runner said he does not expect the funds raised from philanthropists to meet the target, as this is his first walking expedition.
He and his small team are seeking to raise funds for the Angkor Children’s Hospital, in Siem Reap province. Supplied
Currently, the walking group, which began with four members but continued with three after one left due to personal reasons, has made it to Puok district, in Siem Reap province.
For Bunsokheng, the final steps are not just about completing a physical challenge; they will be the culmination of the hopes that have sustained him over the past two weeks.
“Every step I take, every kilometre I walk, is so a child can walk out of the hospital happy and healthy,” he explained.
He is towing a small cart adorned with the Cambodian flag, as he makes his way from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, crossing seven provinces. Supplied
“I believe that the donations we’ve raised will directly impact the treatment of children, helping them recover from serious illnesses and injuries,” he added.
Travelling with a cart adorned with Cambodia’s flag, Bunsokheng’s determination is evident as he treks long hours each day, promoting a spirit of giving and doing what he can to help those in need.
His efforts reflect his belief that every step he takes contributes to the recovery of children, enabling them to walk out of the hospital and smile again.
Despite the gruelling nature of his journey, with Bunsokheng’s legs swollen and the group’s equipment suffering damage along the way, he said the sense of community and encouragement from the Cambodian people has been overwhelming.
“I’m amazed by the generosity and support we’ve received from people we didn’t even know,” he explains.
“They have opened their homes to us, fed us, given us water and donated whatever they could. It’s a reminder that we’re all connected and that together, we can make a real difference,” he continues.
Kind-hearted Cambodians have supported his efforts, by offering donations along the way. Supplied
Some of the people Bunsokheng encountered donated directly to the hospital via QR code, while others contributed by placing cash in the team’s piggy bank.
He has invited supporters to accompany him on the final section of his walk, which will concude at the Angkor Children's Hospital.
Likeminded citizens should join him at 5.30am at the regional market on Balloon Street. The assembled philanthropists will depart at 6am, pausing in front of Angkor Wat Temple for souvenir photos before continuing down Koumai Road and concluding at the hospital.
This final leg of the journey represents not just the end of a campaign, but the beginning of something even larger – a vision for a nationwide, two-year walking campaign that could transform the way Cambodians contribute to healthcare.
The journey will culminate at the Angkor Children’s Hospital, where he will hand over the finds he has raised. Supplied
“This is just the beginning. If we can gather support from the government, institutions and companies, we can turn this into a nationwide movement,” Bunsokheng told The Post.
“I envision a walk that will take us to every province, connecting communities, spreading awareness about the importance of healthcare, and raising funds to support hospitals in need,” he added.
He explained that he wants to encourage people from all walks of life to join in – whether it’s for a few kilometres or a full day.
“Walking together will not only raise funds, but also strengthen the spirit of giving and solidarity among us as a nation. We all have a part to play in improving healthcare for our children,” he added.
He believed that with support from the government, his group could organise a large-scale campaign lasting for up to 600 days, or even two years, across the Kingdom.
“This is our first activity, but if we receive support, we will expand,” he said.
