PENANG, Wed. – Three Cambodian children who underwent corrective and open heart surgeries eight days ago at the Penang Adventist Hospital are recuperating well.

The children’s speedy recovery is welcome news to 16 more Cambodian children who will undergo similar surgeries at the hospital soon.

The three are Chheith Ros, seven, Kim Keoveasna, five, and Pet Sokchea, two.

Ros and Keoveasna had undergone corrective heart surgeries while Sokchea had an open heart surgery.

At the hospital today, the children, whose mothers were with them, wee as playful as any child their age.

Ros said she dreamt of her father and so did Keoveasna.

“In the dreams, both children said their children said their fathers came to take them home.

“We are grateful to the hospital, the doctors and staff,” said Keoveasna’s mother, Cheany.

Their experiences here would be the talk of the villages where they came from, said Cambodia Angkor Hospital nurse Som Sophal, who accompanied the children here.

He also took on the role as interpreter.

The children’s surgeries were sponsored by Rotary International, New York City-based Rotary District 7250’s Gift of Life fund, Kuala Lumpur-based Rotary District 3300 and the Rotary Club of Penang.

Under the programme, the hospital charged a flat rate of US$ 4,000 (RM 15,2000) per child and any additional cost would be borne by the its heart patients’ fund.

The progarmme was also opened to Malaysians, said the hospitals’ public relations manager, Cheah See Lin.

Those wishing to donate to the hear patients’ fund should contact the hospital at 04-2261133, ext 1255 or 1310.