Rotary Club of Phnom Penh

Schedule of Events for May 2026

5 June - No meeting
12 June - Fellowship Meeting
19 June - Fellowship Meeting
26 June - Projects Meeting

All meetings take place 12:15-13:30 at The Almond Hotel Sotheros (https://maps.app.goo.gl/W27vZK3MyYGTdo489) unless otherwise noted

Schedule of Events for May 2026
1 May - No meeting
8 May - Fellowship Meeting
15 May - Fellowship Meeting
22 May - Fellowship Meeting
29 May - Projects Meeting

All meetings take place 12:15-13:30 at The Almond Hotel Sotheros (https://maps.app.goo.gl/W27vZK3MyYGTdo489) unless otherwise noted

Warm greetings from the Phoenix Kids Project of the Rotary Club of Phnom Penh (RCPP) and the Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to helping Cambodian children recover from devastating burn injuries.

We are pleased to share highlights from the Quarter 1 (January–March 2026) report.

Making a Real Difference – Q1 2026 Highlights

During the first quarter of 2026, CSC's dedicated burns and reconstructive surgery teams treated 12 children, performing a total of 13 operations. The children supported by the Phoenix Kids Project had an average age of just 5.3 years — a sobering reminder of how young many burn survivors are when they first arrive at CSC.

These complex cases involved a wide range of surgical procedures, including contracture releases, full- and split-thickness skin grafts, scar lengthening, debridement, local flap reconstructions and other specialist techniques. In many cases multiple procedures were required to restore movement, function and comfort to areas including the face, neck, hands, arms and abdomen. For many of these children, CSC represents the only realistic path to specialist care. Ongoing physiotherapy and family education remain a vital part of each child's recovery — ensuring that healing continues long after surgery, and that children have the best possible chance of regaining independence. All of this is made possible with the support of donors like you.

Stories of Hope

This quarter's report shares two especially powerful stories of resilience and recovery:

Savath, just two years old, fell into an open campfire from his baby walker when he was only five months old, leaving him with severe scar contractures on his neck, mouth and lower eyelids that made it difficult to breathe, eat or speak. After being treated initially at a hospital in Thailand and learning about CSC while sheltering in a refugee camp during the border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, his family sought help at CSC. On February 27, Savath underwent burn contracture release surgery to loosen the tight scarring across his neck and face, already improving his ability to breathe, eat and speak. Although further surgeries will likely be needed as he grows, his parents are hopeful that this care will give him a much brighter future.

Sokkea, aged five, suffered a severe scald from hot water at just nine months old, which caused contractures across the fingers of both hands and left him struggling to grasp objects and feeling self-conscious about his appearance. Despite living two and a half hours from CSC, his parents made the journey in search of treatment. On February 3, surgeons performed burn contracture release surgery and a full-thickness skin graft on his left hand. Although he encountered a minor setback when part of the graft did not take and will require a further procedure, Sokkea is progressing well. With physiotherapy once healing is complete, he is expected to regain full use of his fingers — just like any other boy his age.

These children's journeys reflect not only their extraordinary courage, but also the skill, compassion and dedication of CSC's surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and support staff.

Thank You – and Looking Ahead

None of this work would be possible without you. Your donations directly fund life-changing surgery, rehabilitation and follow-up care for children who would otherwise have no access to specialised treatment.

The need remains significant. Burn injuries continue to affect children across Cambodia, and many will require multiple surgeries and years of rehabilitation. We warmly encourage you to consider continuing or renewing your support of the Phoenix Kids Project, or sharing our work with others who may wish to help.

Together, we are not just healing wounds — we are restoring function, dignity, confidence and hope for the future.

With sincere thanks and best wishes,

The RCPP Phoenix Kids Team
Rotary Club of Phnom Penh
On behalf of the children and the extraordinary staff at the Children's Surgical Centre, Cambodia

----

Donations can be made to the following account:

Account Name: Rotary Club of Phnom Penh
Account No: 00010215687599
Bank: ACLEDA Bank Plc.
#61, Preah Monivong Blvd., Sangkat Srah Chork, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
SWIFT: ACLBKHPP

or here:
https://www.omprakash.org/global/rotary-club-phnom-penh/crowdfund/phoenix-kids

or, for our many very generous Australian supporters, here:
https://directory.rawcs.com.au/36-2024-25

Thank you for your support!

Bill Monroe delivered books to three public elementary schools in the Kampot area this week. The recipient schools have children of farmers and cement factory workers.

The NGO, Samaki, works with the schools to develop systems to track the books and monitor and encourage kids to borrow and return them.

It appears to be working!

https://sites.google.com/view/samaki-kampot

Schedule of Events for March 2026
6 March - No meeting
13 March - Projects Meeting
20 March - CIA First International School Interact Club visit
27 March - M’Lup Russey - Displaced Peoples Work

All meetings take place 12:15-13:30 at The Almond Hotel Sotheros (https://maps.app.goo.gl/W27vZK3MyYGTdo489) unless otherwise noted

Very happy to support the wonderful Women Are Gold

During our Projects' Meeting last Friday we were very pleased to welcome Lucy Gebhart from Rotary Club of West U (District 5890), visiting for a flag exchange; Dr. Desmond “Des” Molloy, military observer since 1992 and professor at Pannasastra University (second visit); Joke van Opstal from Fountain of Hope (Netherlands); and Nareth, Joke’s assistant and local leader for Fountain of Hope.

Schedule of Events for February 2026
6 February - No Meeting
13 February - Projects Meeting
20 January - No Meeting
27 January - Fellowship Meeting
All meetings take place 12:15-13:30 at The Almond Hotel Sotheros (https://maps.app.goo.gl/W27vZK3MyYGTdo489) unless otherwise noted

We were honoured to be visited by representatives of Mine-Ex https://mine-ex.ch/contact/?lang=en during their recent visit to Cambodia. We visited the Children's Surgical Centre and met some of the patients treated as part of the Phoenix Kids project and helped by donations from Mine-Ex.

After that we enjoyed a delicious meal, one or two beers and the presentation of flags from the Rotary Clubs of Sissach-Oberbaselbiet https://sissach-oberbaselbiet.rotary1980.ch/en/ and St. Gallen https://rotarysg.ch/en/

Thank you all for your visit, your generosity, your support and your company. Very best wishes for the rest of your time in Cambodia. We are looking forward to welcoming you again soon!

Warm greetings from the Phoenix Kids Project of the Rotary Club of Phnom Penh (RCPP) and the Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to helping Cambodian children recover from devastating burn injuries.

We are pleased to share highlights from the Quarter 4 (October–December 2025) report. The full report is also attached.This past quarter has once again demonstrated the extraordinary impact your support has on the lives of some of Cambodia’s most vulnerable children.
Making a Real Difference – Q4 2025 Highlights

During the last quarter of 2025, CSC’s dedicated burns and reconstructive surgery teams treated 18 children, performing a total of 21 operations. The children supported by the Phoenix Kids Project had an average age of just 7 years, a stark reminder of how young many burn survivors are when they arrive at CSC.

These complex cases involved surgical procedures included contracture releases, skin grafts, scar lengthening, debridement and reconstructive flap surgeries. In many cases, multiple procedures were required to restore movement, function and comfort. In many cases the children concerned would not have found treatment in Cambodia if the CSC was not here to help. Equally important was the ongoing physiotherapy and family education, ensuring that healing continues long after surgery and that children have the best chance of regaining independence. All of which is which is made possible with the support of donors like you.
Stories of Hope

This quarter’s report shares powerful examples of resilience and recovery:

Orfirin, just one year old, suffered severe burns to his hand that threatened his ability to grasp and develop essential fine motor skills. Thanks to timely surgery and physiotherapy support at CSC, his contractures have been released and his recovery is progressing well. With continued care, he is expected to regain normal hand function and enjoy a healthy, active childhood.

Mary, aged two, survived an appalling burn injury that left her with extensive scarring and restricted movement across much of her body. After multiple surgeries at CSC, she is already beginning to regain movement in her hands and wrists. Although further treatment is still needed, her progress is restoring her ability to play, eat independently, and prepare for education and a fuller life ahead.

These children’s journeys reflect not only their courage, but also the skill, compassion, and dedication of CSC’s surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and support staff.
Thank You – and Looking Ahead

None of this work would be possible without you. Your donations directly fund life-changing surgery, rehabilitation and follow-up care for children who would otherwise have no access to specialised treatment.

The need remains significant. Burn injuries continue to affect children across Cambodia and many will require multiple surgeries and years of rehabilitation. We therefore warmly encourage you to consider continuing or renewing your support of the Phoenix Kids Project (please see below for donation options) or sharing our work with others who may wish to help.

Together, we are not just healing wounds—we are restoring function, dignity, confidence and hope for the future.

With sincere thanks and best wishes,

♥ The RCPP Phoenix Kids Team ♥
Rotary Club of Phnom Penh

On behalf of the children and the extraordinary staff at the Children’s Surgical Centre, Cambodia
----

Donations can be made to the following account:
Account Name: Rotary Club of Phnom Penh
Account No: 00010215687599
Bank: ACLEDA Bank Plc.
#61, Preah Monivong Blvd.,
Sangkat Srah Chork, Khan Daun Penh,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
SWIFT: ACLBKHPP

here:
https://www.omprakash.org/global/rotary-club-phnom-penh/crowdfund/phoenix-kids

or, for our many, very generous, Australian supporters, here:
https://directory.rawcs.com.au/36-2024-25

Thank you for your support!