Battambang : Sangker River Banks Turn into a Symbol of Unity and Resilience

The banks of the Sangker River turned into a powerful symbol of unity and resilience on January 25, 2026, as participants of the Sangker River Charity Run 2026 crossed the finish line.

Originally designed to support arts education, the run was transformed into an urgent humanitarian mission in aid of families and communities displaced by the recent border crisis.

A Community Mobilized for Fundraising

More than 400 participants came together this year, transcending a simple athletic challenge to become a true collective force of fundraising and hope. Runners were encouraged to create personal fundraising pages, ensuring that every stride had a direct impact on emergency relief efforts.

Thanks to the generous support of QMI Group, Grand Twins International, and VATTANAC BREWERY CO., LTD, this solidarity has already enabled the installation of a drinking water filtration system at the displaced persons camp at Khnach Romeas Pagoda in Battambang Province.

Relaying Hope through Solidarity

The event was marked by the moving participation of Bishop Lokpok Kike and Olympic marathoner Nary Ly, both of whom share the experience of having once lived in refugee camps. One of the highlights of the day was when Bishop Kike led a group of wheelchair athletes from La Paloma — survivors of landmines and past conflicts — embodying the founding spirit of Phare: survival requires courage and mutual protection.

As Nary Ly said, “I hope that through my participation, Cambodians will be inspired to help one another.”

Reacting to the event, Osman Khawaja, Executive Director of Phare Ponleu Selpak, stated:

“Sangker River Run is more than a race. It is a collective act of compassion. When people run, fundraise, and stand side by side, they send a powerful message to children and families — that they are not alone. At Phare, we believe that art, movement, and community are essential parts of healing — and this event shows what becomes possible when solidarity turns into action.”

Positive Feedback and Looking Ahead to 2027

The organizing team received extremely positive feedback from participants and the local community, who praised both the scenic route and the humanitarian focus of the event. The success of this edition reaffirmed the event’s role as a cornerstone for civil peacebuilding and community healing in the region.

Building on this momentum, Phare Ponleu Selpak is proud to announce that the next Sangker River Run will take place on January 24, 2027. The 2027 edition promises to be even more ambitious, with a renewed commitment to generating greater impact through creativity and collective strength. By uniting art, heritage, and sport, the 2027 run will continue to preserve the light for Cambodia’s next generation.

About Phare Ponleu Selpak

Phare Ponleu Selpak is a non-profit arts school that empowers children, youth, and their communities. Inspired by drawing workshops held at the Site 2 refugee camp on the Thai border, nine evacuated students founded Phare Ponleu Selpak in 1994 on the outskirts of Battambang, Cambodia.

Today, more than 800 students participate free of charge in a wide range of daily artistic and cultural activities on the Phare campus. Courses and workshops include music, dance, visual arts, theatre, circus, animation, and graphic design. Phare Ponleu Selpak transforms lives through the arts, enabling students to become independent professional artists and performers.

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