If you wander past a concrete structure standing amid a sea of rice fields in Troap commune, Kampong Cham province’s Batheay district, you’ll hear the distinct sound of children’s laughter.
The humble and unassuming building provides a sanctuary to 47 orphans, including 26 girls, and 25 vulnerable elders with five men among them.
In the shade of a tree, a young girl named Ponleu Sreynick shares her story. This 12-year-old orphan, studying in the fifth grade at Tkov Primary School in the commune, doesn’t know where her biological parents are – she knows only her loving foster mother, Ung Pring.
“I only know that my mother’s name is Ung Pring, and I came to live here because I was raised by a monk since 2016.
“Living here has given me the opportunity to learn and has provided me with great care from the father [the monk]. I am very grateful,” Sreynick told The Post.
Ung Pring, a 63-year-old foster mother, looks after a shelter accommodating 73 people, including orphans and the vulnerable elderly.
A decade ago, she encountered Sreynick at Kantha Bopha Hospital in Phnom Penh where she had taken her grandchild for treatment. Sreynick had been brought by her biological mother for urinary retention treatment.
Pring recalls the moment when Sreynick ‘s biological mother asked those around her to watch over her child while she left to buy food. The woman never returned.
Pring cared for the young girl during her recovery and eventually adopted her, bestowing upon her the name Ponleu Sreynick.
“I made a birth certificate for my daughter Sreynick, and the authorities are aware of it. I also gave her family name because she was too young at the time and did not even know her own name,” said Pring.
Venerable Pov Soth, a resident at Wat Than in Phnom Penh, said the home was founded by Venerable Chea Somealea. The unique shelter brings together orphaned children and homeless elders, offering them a nurturing environment. It enjoys Soth’s patronage and is managed meticulously.
The shelter, Soth revealed, stands on a plot of 8x20m, purchased from a local. Initially a simple thatched hut, Somealea later replaced it with a three-room concrete building.
On Somealea’s departure from the monkhood, Soth assumed responsibility, which he has shouldered for over a month now.
“Today, I continue urging the caring and generous to donate funds, food and rice to support these orphans and elderly individuals,” Soth implored.
The orphans, aged between two and 15, come from Banteay Meanchey, Kampong Cham, Tbong Khmum, and Kratie provinces.
The 25 elderly residents, bereft of any family support, are aged between 55 and 80.
Soth’s main concern is not lodging but rather ensuring sufficient food and school supplies for the children, an issue requiring support from philanthropists far and wide.
Soth’s call for donations on social media, however, led to fraudulent individuals using his video for their gain. Consequently, some donors were unwittingly led to support these fraudsters. Despite this, Soth is grateful for the continued support from philanthropists and urges them to visit the shelter and witness the reality of the situation.
Every day, they prepare meals using a 50 kilogram bag of milled rice. Food expenses alone total 100,000 riel ($250) per day.
The shelter accommodates 82 people, including 47 children, 25 adults, eight chefs and two village security guards.
For those wishing to donate, contributions can be made to Pov Soth’s ABA account number. He pledges to continue his humanitarian activities for the rest of his life.
Troap commune’s chief, Ngor Chuot, expressed his support for the venture. He appreciates the help provided to the needy and takes pleasure in seeing them receive the necessary support.
