Ra is an only child and lives with his parents who work as rice farmers near their home. In school, Ra enjoys mathematics class, and at home, he enjoys playing with his friends in the village and riding bikes. One year ago, Ra fell while playing with his friends. He experienced a significant injury on his left wrist and elbow. Ra's mother observed that he could not flex his elbow properly or extend his wrist and fingers like he could before the accident. Ra was referred by a public hospital in Phnom Penh to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). He and his mom traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 11th, surgeons will perform a nerve and tendon procedure to improve the function of his wrist and elbow. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is seeking assistance to fund the $487 surgery and physiotherapy that Ra needs. Ra's mother shared, "I hope he can recover from this injury and go back to school quickly."

Sonita lives in Takeo province with her parents, brother, and aunt. Her parents and brother are rice farmers, and her aunt stays home to care for the house. Sonita has two other siblings who have married and left home. At home, she likes to read books or help cook for the family. A year and a half ago, Sonita was in a motorbike accident and injured her right leg. As she and her family could not afford the surgery, she has been suffering from chronic pain in her right knee, has difficulty walking, and working in the factory. Sonita and her mother traveled for two and a half hours to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where she was diagnosed with a poorly healed tibia fracture with varus malunion. This occurs when a fractured bone heals in an abnormal position. On April 25th, doctors will perform an osteotomy, where the bone is cut or rebroken at or near the site of the original fracture, and then restored to its correct anatomical alignment. Sonita and her family are able to contribute $100 but need help to raise an additional $369 to fund the cost of the procedure. Sonita said, "I hope this operation will fix my leg so I can find a good job and have no pain."

Penh is a loving grandmother from Kandal province. With three sons and one daughter, she has lived with her youngest son and his family since a divorce from her husband forty years ago. Formerly a farmer cultivating vegetables and rice, she is now trying to enjoy her retirement. Her days are occupied with looking after her grandchildren and preparing meals for the family. Occasionally, she finds comfort in visiting the nearby pagoda to listen to the monks chant. About four years ago, Penh developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her distress, as she struggles with the inability to see, do housework, or participate in the ceremonies at the pagoda. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Penh learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Penh needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 2nd. Penh shared: "I feel bad because I cannot see and cannot take care of myself or do housework. I hope I can be better after my operation."