Help the Sam Family with Funeral and Care Costs

I'm Kosal Sam, one of Sam Hin's 8 children. In Cambodian culture, your last name is taken from your father's first name, and your father's last name is his father's first name. I never met my grandparents in my father’s side. Both were deceased during the 1975-1979 genocide controlled by the Khmer Rouge regime.

My father passed away on October 8, 2024 at home. Born in Battambang, Cambodia, on January 1, 1943, he died at 81 with congestive heart failure and kidney failure, in which having dialysis treatment no longer was able to keep him alive as his body was shutting down and started rejecting treatment. On Saturday, October 5, we received a call from the doctor saying we need to meet her at noon on Sunday, October 6, to make a family decision regarding his care. We were given the terms and conditions, which were relayed to my father. I was able to kneel down and ask him in Khmer what he wanted. He told me he no longer wanted to be in the hospital; it was just uncomfortable. I told him that he would no longer receive dialysis treatment because it was causing him chest pain and the only other option was to be placed into hospice. He said he didn't care and if he was going to pass, he wanted to be at home. On Tuesday, October 8, around 2:00 pm, two of my sisters witnessed his last gasp for air as he vomited up some blood, perhaps all the toxins building up from lack of dialysis. We knew this day would come, but we definitely didn't expect it to happen so fast. The 3 days we took care of him felt like a week, but our family rallied together, and I am 100% sure my father is now in peace and no longer suffering as he was surrounded by all his children and grandchildren during those last few days of his life. I think most of us are still in shock that he's no longer here, and we all know, even more shocked is my mother, who's always been by his side since day one.

My parents immigrated to the United States in 1985 with nothing but the clothing that was donated by various charity organizations, the International Committee of Migration (ICM), churches, and the refugee camps in Kaodang and Chonburi, Thailand. It was only recently, during 2020, that I managed to get my parents' loans for their plane tickets here to the states forgiven. There was roughly $1,200 left with zero interest, which my parents have managed to make $20 monthly payments towards. I bring up because when one decides to leave their home country, think of the sacrifices your making to endure a whole new environment and language. Yes, I was shocked they still had it.

In America, my mother was able to take over most of the control, ended up being the provider and the one who handled most of the finances because my father never really did pick up on any English. He became very reliant on my mom and his children due to the language barrier imposed. While my parents grew up knowing what hunger is, we grew up not remembering hunger. Even though we relied heavily on state assistance, all the social programs available to low-income families, food banks, etc., my parents always made sure we were fed. This, I am sure, was a direct result of how the Khmer Rouge treated them and all they had to endure during those times they were living in Cambodia.

Not only will this help with my dad's funeral expenses, but the funds raised will help my mother with her continued needs and care. We thank you all for the love and support (texts/calls) over the last few days!

Sincerely,

The Sam Family