River Ambulance Service | Silent Foundation

Thankfully, Kampong Chhnang’s first-ever Riverboat Emergency Response service is now in operation, all due to the generous support of Mr Teng and his son Matthew at The Silent Foundation. Since we started running the river ambulances, 6 people’s lives have been saved, by being able to get the patients to hospital or health centre quickly. The river ambulances are being used to bring pregnant mothers to the hospital or nearest health centre for their birth, or patients who have had accidents and need urgent medical attention. They have also been used to deliver medicines to villages along the river, and de-worming programs.

In Cambodia, childbirth is referred to as chlong tonle, meaning “to cross the river.” The expression compares giving birth to crossing a large river, in that you never know when you might lose your life in the deep, fast-flowing waters. A large number of expectant mothers in rural Cambodia still have no choice but to give birth at home, and as the name chlong tonle implies, childbirth is a life-threatening event for them.

The Kampong Chhnang community depends so much on the Tonle Sap River for its livelihood, but it also makes transportation difficult, particularly during floods. There are no bridges in most areas along the river, and existing river transportation is costly and unreliable for many. In emergency situations, every second counts! Thanks to The Silent Foundation, our new turbo charged ambulances dramatically reduce travel time and have already saved lives. We fondly call our boats, the ‘Ferrari Power Machines’!

The boats have been specially designed to fit a storable stretcher frame, which is stowed away and can be quickly installed to fit a stretcher and patient without moving around on the trip to the hospital. There is also air supply, fire extinguisher, and space for medical equipment.

As part of our sustainable approach to social impact, we empower local people to contribute to the service, promoting the sense of ownership and pride in helping their own community.

A word from Dara…. Kampong Chhnang boat maker

“Making boats is not something new to me—but this is the very first time I am making it for an ambulance designed to help save lives. We are doing our best to make the river ambulances long lasting quality— there is a social responsibility that I want to fulfill. The chance to support my community in a meaningful way.”