The Cambodia Kantha Bopha Foundation was thrilled to announce that it raised more than $3.3 million from philanthropists during its 30-day “10,000 Riel, 10,000 Donors” campaign.

The results of the June fundraising efforts will be used to save the lives of Cambodian infants and children, by ensuring the provision of free healthcare services and treatment at the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals.

Pich Chanmony, the foundation’s honorary president, took to social media on July 1 to laud the success of the campaign.

“We have achieved proud results, both in terms of the total money raised and the number of donors. More than 240,000 philanthropists supported this important campaign, with more than $3.3 million received,” she said.

She noted that this year saw more active participation from philanthropists from ministries and other government institutions – as well as private enterprises, both large and small, in Phnom Penh and the provinces – when compared to the 2022 and 2023 efforts.

“This reflects an important national movement in the spirit of ‘Khmer help Khmer’ to bring hope and put smiles on the faces of babies and children, who are the bright future of Cambodia,” she said.

The foundation organised the campaign to coincide with the June 1 International Children's Day to inspire a movement and mobilise donations from philanthropists, both within the Kingdom and abroad.

Chanmony said that although the campaign has concluded, the foundation will continue its fundraising mission, because the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals require about $120,000 per day, or approximately $43 million per year to continue to provide free, non-discriminatory, quality health care and treatment to babies, children, and pregnant women.

“I would like to encourage all members of the public to continue their noble generosity,” she added.

According to a report by the foundation, the hospitals examined and treated nearly 900,000 children in 2023.

It said that from its reopening in 1992 to the end of 2023, the hospitals have examined and treated about 28 million cases in the outpatient department for babies, children, and women. About 2.6 million children were hospitalised with serious conditions and about 8,000 congenital open heart disease surgeries were performed.