Amid the ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, one woman has risen as a source of inspiration: Soeung Chhivling. Refusing to evacuate, she has stuck around to feed the people nearby, despite the distressing circumstances.
While most would assume she is a member of the military, a medical professional, or a politician, she is none of those things. The owner of a restaurant in Samraong, a town in Central Khmer that’s 20 kilometres from the front line, Soeung wants to keep her kitchen open till the end.
Why Soeung Chhivling is refusing to evacuate her Cambodian town
Staunch in her refusal to give in to the violence all around, Soeung is spreading kindness through food. Refusing to shut shop and move, she wants to stay and feed the medical professionals and military personnel posted nearby.
Speaking about how many of her regulars have evacuated the area, she told AFP: "It’s quiet. Everyone has evacuated. Only one adult male stays back at his home to look after his belongings."
Still, the 48-year-old wants to cook for the medical professionals and troops who have been posted in the region. She told AFP: "I am also scared but I want to cook them food to eat."
Soeung Chhivling’s bravery in the midst of the Thai-Cambodian clash
Frighteningly close to the border where the Thai and Cambodian armies are engaged in battle, Soeung’s choice is quite admirable. Putting her desire to serve her fellow human beings first, she said, "Now I have no plan to evacuate unless fighter jets come and drop a lot of bombs."
In support of her decision, her daughter Pan has also decided to stick around to feed anyone who needs a warm meal. So, Pan can also be seen helping her around the restaurant. All this, despite the fact that one can hear the artillery firing going on at the border from her restaurant.
Talking about how she will only leave if push comes to shove, Soeung told AFP: "If the clashes get serious then I would leave. I have filled gasoline in our motorcycles. My children are also grown up enough. When it is time we’d just go. We won't care about our belongings."
What Soeung’s contribution means to customers like Kem Feng
Those around Soeung are very thankful for her service, including one of her customers, 43-year-old Kem Feng. He told AFP, "We still could have some food to eat. I really appreciate her determination to stay back and cook food for the medics to eat so they have energy to help treat our forces in Samraong,” adding, "She is a brave woman who is staying put and not evacuating while others have left."
What better example than this to prove that not all heroes wear capes. Some support their community by doing what they do best. Putting other people’s well-being before her own life, Soeung is an inspiration to all those who think their contributions cannot make a difference. Clearly, every bit of kindness counts, and Soeung’s selflessness is proof of that.
Perhaps Franklin D. Roosevelt summed it up best when he said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.” Despite the bleak realities of war and violence, it is these instances of humanity that continue to be faith-affirming.
