A circle of care in Pursat

In the rural stretches of Pursat Province, the geography itself creates a barrier to health. Defined by the rugged mountains and the expansive waters of Tonle Sap Lake, the district of Krakor is home to many who live in remote highland areas or floating villages. For these residents, a single local health center provides basic services, but specialized treatment is often a journey too far or too costly.

From March 27 to 29, 2026, a transformation took place at the Krakor Referral Hospital. Led by Rong-Yuan Shyu (徐榮源), Deputy Superintendent of Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, a team of 154 medical professionals and volunteers from Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia arrived to bridge the gap. Over three days, they provided 4,052 patient visits, offering a range of services from traditional Chinese medicine to complex surgeries.

Healing the healers

Among the crowds was Si-Ming Li (李思明), a man who understood the local need better than most. Since 1979, Li had served as the first director of the floating health center on Tonle Sap Lake. After a lifetime of treating others, he moved to the mainland in 2025 as his own health began to fail. Now in his 70s, he arrived at the clinic seeking relief for chronic leg pain that made every step a struggle.

Li was treated by Shyu and Singaporean traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Fang-Ting Chu (朱芳婷). As Chu carefully applied acupuncture needles, Li’s daughter, Chun-Wei Li (李春薇)—a nurse currently serving at the floating clinic—watched with deep appreciation. The dedication of the international team left a lasting impression; Chun-Wei expressed that she felt inspired to volunteer her own medical skills for future Tzu Chi missions, ensuring the circle of care continues.

For others, the relief was immediate. Tech Thean Chan, a Buddhist monk from Som Kuan Pagoda who has lived in Cambodia for two decades, had endured a decade of cervical spine pain. Following a session with Wu Sen (吳森), the Master reported his first night of restful, uninterrupted sleep in years.

Restoring independence and dignity

For Watt and her husband, Hai Hong, the clinic was a turning point. Their lives had been stalled since Hai Hong suffered a cerebral thrombosis, which left him partially paralyzed. The family had exhausted their resources and sold their belongings to pay for previous treatments.

Through the precise application of acupuncture, Hai Hong regained the ability to lift his arm and take independent steps. Watching him move, Watt’s eyes filled with tears—not of despair, but of the sudden realization that their future might finally be stable again.

Nearby, 68-year-old Chea Yon, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge era, sat for her first-ever eye examination. After years of watching the world grow dim, she was diagnosed with cataracts. When the doctors told her that surgery could restore her sight, she wept with gratitude. Through local partnerships, the team ensured she would receive the surgery she needed.

A future without barriers

The surgical unit saw life-changing moments for the youngest patients. Ten-year-old Hong Du-La (洪度拉) was born with syndactyly (fused fingers). Last year, medical volunteers had successfully separated the fingers on his left hand. This year, the family returned for the right.

"This kindness has fulfilled our family's wish," his father shared. "Our child can now leave self-consciousness behind and face a new life."

As the three-day mission came to a close, the 154 volunteers began their journeys home. While the medical equipment was packed away, the impact remained in the corrected vision of survivors, the steady gait of a father, and the confident smiles of children. For the residents of Pursat, the clinic was more than a medical event; it was a profound turning point.

Written by Hsiang-Hui Huang (黃湘卉) and Sophorn Phoeun (潘曉彤)