KAMPONG SPEU: The story of a son who, despite all difficulties, continued to take care of his mother who has a mental health disorder, recently circulated online and caught the attention of the President of the Cambodian Red Cross, First Lady Bun Rany Hun Sen, leading her to donate some money to the family.

On Saturday morning, 25 February 2023, the First Deputy Secretary General of the Cambodian Red Cross, Men Neary Sopheak, visited the family of Mrs. Non Sok Oun, a widow who has ben suffering from a mental illness for the past three years. Her 21-year-old son, Khon Makara, lives in Bor Seth district of Kampong Speu province, and takes all possible measures to help her with her treatment.

Men Neary Sopheak said that the Provincial Committee of the Cambodian Red Cross in Kampong Speu and the provincial governor sent a doctor to check Ms. Non Sok Oun's mental health and diagnose her illness so that a treatment plan could be formed, especially since there is a hospital in Kampong Speu province that treats mental illnesses. The visiting doctors concluded that Ms. Non Sok Oun's condition could be treated.

During the visit, the First Deputy Secretary General brought donations to the family, including 100 kg of rice, five boxes of noodles, five cans of fish, two bottles of fish sauce and soy sauce each, two bottles of cooking oil, one box of Pocari Sweat (beverage), two boxes of orange juice, one box of shampoo, one box of body soap, two kits (containing two sarongs, two mosquito nets, two blankets and two scarves) and two pieces of white cloth.

The First Lady also sent a donation of 10 million riel (roughly US $2,468) and asked the Cambodian Red Cross Branch in Kampong Speu to open a bank account for the son, Khon Makara, so that he could continue to take care of his mother and ensure her safety.