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In 1996, the late King Norodom Sihanouk asked for an NGO to come to Cambodia and build a hospital for the poor. At the time, Cambodia was still reeling from the destruction of governmental infrastructure systems during the Khmer Rouge genocide, ongoing political instability, and colossal health and social needs.
Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope (SHCH) fulfills the King's wish and takes its name in his honor. Over 20 years later, the Cambodian royal family continues to support and value SHCH, visiting often and donating regularly. Her Majesty Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, the wife of the late King Norodom Sihanouk, is one of our most vocal supporters.
Each year, SHCH senior management is invited to the Royal Palace to update the Queen about the Hospital's progress and our services' impact on the poor. As is tradition, the Queen makes her annual donation during this meeting, usually USD 10,000.
On the 29th of June 2018, the Queen was so impressed with the growth and improvements SHCH has made over the past year that she doubled her donation to USD 20,000. The Queen spoke with our CEO Dr. Sopheak and expressed her gratitude for the Hospital's commitment to the poor in her country. She shared her appreciation for all of the hard work that SHCH staff put in each day and the international volunteers who come from all over the globe to help her people.
The Queen even remarked that when she'd received the Hospital's 2017 Annual Report, she stayed up half the night to finish it cover to cover. "You provide fantastic service to the poor," she concluded.
Sihanouk Hospital Center of Hope (SHCH) is the first and longest-running Hospital to provide free care to the poor in Cambodia. We are acknowledged by the Cambodian Royal Family, national Government, donors and volunteers throughout the world, and the Khmer people.