Singer and performer Uon Pakthom, better know as Sai (centre). Photo supplied
Cambodian donors have kicked in $380,000 to the Angkor Hospital for Children in Siem Reap province through the Run for Charity with Sai and the One Dollar Game Campaign for Cambodian Children.
The initiatives were created by singer and performer Uon Pakthom, better known as Sai, with the hospital later spreading the word on its Facebook page.
The Angkor Hospital for Children wrote a letter on November 13 thanking the donors: “This campaign aims to encourage and instil the spirit of all Cambodians into donating one dollar to the Angkor Hospital for it to continue its operational journey in providing treatment and care services to Cambodian children.
“Our hospital is also encountering difficulties in seeking funds from generous people at home and abroad.”
Sinketh Arun, the director of the hospital’s Public Relations-Cambodia Department, told The Post on November 16 the children and parents had the honour of being encouraged by the Cambodian philanthropists who have continually donated their money.
“The people started providing one dollar from November 11 and we saw over $260,000. But as of November 15, the donations had reached over $380,000,” she said.
According to the hospital’s letter, the One Dollar Game Campaign for Cambodian Children started on the evening of November 11. The campaign was created when the Run for charity with Sai took place. The campaign quickly became a movement supported widely on social media.
Run for Charity with Sai started on October 6 and is scheduled to end on January 13, 2021.
Sai said he had planned to run along the roads and the border of Cambodia for 99 days to raise money for the hospital.
“I was inspired to create the run event for this charity when I saw information on the challenges facing the hospital,” he told The Post on November 16.
“A lot of children from my village went to this hospital for treatment. The hospital doesn’t discriminate against the rich or the poor. Initially, when I took children to be treated, I thought I would have to spend money. But after the hospital cured them, I didn’t get charged,” Sai said.
Sai said his run has lasted for 42 days as of November 16. During this period, he and others who joined in made it across 10 provinces and was heading towards Banteay Meanchey province. He said the main challenge he has faced is traffic in some areas, where drivers of heavy trucks disobeyed the road law and travelled against the traffic.
Angkor Hospital for Children currently employs 500 doctors and staff and treats 180,000 children per year from many provinces.
Children under the age of 16 are treated free of charge.
According to the hospital’s Facebook page, donations can be sent through the following accounts: ABA: Angkor Hospital for Children (000 853 843) and Wing: 9122 (riel); 8122 (dollar); ACLEDA: Angkor Hospital for Children (01000105696828); Sathapana: Angkor Hospital for Children (07808082834100102).
