Parents queue with their children to get medical services at Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital in Phnom Penh in 2021. Hong Menea
The Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation have announced the launch of its annual “10,000 riel, 10,000 donors” campaign on May 29. The campaign, which gives philanthropists of all levels the chance to support the foundation’s five hospitals, will run for 30 days.
The campaign will be publicised through various media outlets, including the foundations social media channels and those of its official partner banks and private companies, as well as more traditional outlets. The appeal is intended to reach all potential donors, both within the Kingdom and abroad.
The annual campaign kickoff coincides with International Children’s Day, held on June 1. Last year’s appeal attracted donations of over $300,000.
A foundation statement expressed its strong hopes that this year’s campaign would be as successful, noting that it expected active from participation from philanthropists in the spirit of “Khmer helping Khmer”.
“The appeal aims to put smiles on the faces of the Kingdom’s children, by supporting the sustainable operation of the five Kantha Bopha Hospitals,” it added.
The first Kantha Bopha Hospital was opened in 1992. The hospitals have treated millions of children, with an average annual budget of $40 million. It provides all care free of charge, with no discrimination, explained the foundation.
Since the announcement of this year’s fundraising drive, many social media users have begun making donations and sharing the details of the appeal.
Tum Ra, a representative of the Kantha Bopha Foundation, told The Post on May 29 that the campaign already seems to be gaining momentum.
“I am pleased and humbled to see so many people participating. I would like to thank everyone who has joined us so far. They have made a significant contribution to children’s healthcare,” he said.
Ra explained that the foundation was established in 2018, and works alongside the Beat Richner Foundation of Switzerland to support the five Kantha Bopha Hospitals. Last year, the foundation received donations of around $18 million from philanthropists across the globe.
Noy Theany contributed to the appeal as soon as she saw the campaign on social media. She explained that as a child, she herself had received free treatment from Kantha Bopha.
She considered her donation an expression of gratitude for the services that the hospital provides, and believed that if everyone contributed what they could afford, the hospitals would be able to continue their important work.
“Donating to this campaign will reduce the hospital’s expenses, and allow them to provide treatment to more children. The hospital is crucial to protecting the health, and lives, of children whose parents cannot afford to seek treatment in a private hospital,” she said.
