SHCH prevented three boys from losing their mother

“Thank you so much again for saving my life and for giving me a chance to see my kids again.”—Sokhim, SHCH patient

Chey Sokhim, a 28-year-old farmer from Kork Bateay District in Kampong Chnang province, is a wife to Sokheang, 30 years old and mother of three young boys—ages 8, 6 and 3. Living 110 kilometers (about 68 miles) outside of Phnom Penh, their home is a modest wooden structure with a thatched roof. The family owns two bicycles and they farm a field of ½ hectare (about 1.2 acres). The land provides the family with rice for the entire year but they need money to buy other food supplies and send the kids to school. To supplement their income from farming, her husband works as a fisherman during the dry season.They live a simple life. With no electricity and a small home of 35 sq. m. (379.5 sq. ft.) to maintain, the family is able to live on their meager income of $90 a month.

Two weeks before going to the Sihanouk Hospital Center of HOPE, Sokhim had gotten very sick. Due to a lack of proper knowledge and diagnosis, a well-meaning family member gave her medication to ease her stomach problems. The medication, intended for hepatitis made things worse for Sokhim. She got weaker, suffered from high fever; poor urine flow and her stomach got bigger each day.

When she first arrived at the hospital, Sokhim was found with cirrhosis of the liver and severe ascites that led to abdominal distention. With the right diagnosis, proper care, treatment and correct medication, she got better. Sokhim was sent home from SHCH three weeks later.

All aspects of her treatment were delivered free of charge.  Read more