Help a Family Recover from Losing their Daughter

Alexandra Lu is organizing this fundraiser.

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Raksa Hong was a bright, kind, and empowering student in her final year of university studies in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Growing up in the rural province of Prey Veng in southern Cambodia, Raksa received an opportunity to pursue higher education with the support of Harpswell Foundation, a prestigious program that provides leadership training and housing for Cambodian women pursuing university studies. When asked why she fought so hard to receive an education, Raksa frequently spoke of her younger brother. It was her goal to earn enough money so that he would not face the same barriers to schooling that she did, so he could pursue his dreams no matter the cost. Raksa is described by her sisters at Harpswell as having been the embodiment of selflessness and compassion.

Hi friends,

My name is Yueting and I am working with the Harpswell Foundation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where Raksa lived for the past five years. I am organizing this fundraiser to help alleviate the medical and funeral costs faced by Raksa's family in order to provide her family some respite in their darkest times.

In March 2023, at only 22 years old, Raksa was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure. For the past three months, she fought relentlessly while suffering from blindness, extreme edema, and other unimaginable pains with overwhelming strength and bravery. Unfortunately, Raksa was unresponsive to treatment and passed on this Wednesday, June 7th. Raksa's loss is felt deeply within all the communities that were fortunate enough to be strengthened by her presence.

Raksa's mom worked as a janitor and her dad as a tuktuk driver. Both of her parents have stopped working over these past few months to care for Raksa, delivering food, comfort, and peace in the chaos of the local hospital where Raksa stayed. As a result, her family continues to struggle to afford the remainder of her medical and funeral costs. Additionally, the significant financial burden means Raksa's brother's education remains uncertain. Raksa previously shared that her dream upon graduation was to immediately begin working to finance her younger brother's educational journey. Your support and generosity will be used to fulfill Raksa's final and most unwavering dream.