Eh Lel is a lively six-year-old girl who lives with her parents, sister, paternal grandparents, three aunts, and uncle. She plans to attend kindergarten next year. She likes to play with her friends and watch movies on television. Her father is a subsistence farmer who works his own rice paddy. The family also tends to a vegetable plot and sells betel leaves and nuts. When Eh Lel was two months old, her mother noticed a spot on her lower spine. A bulge developed, and she began to experience pain. After a visit to a nearby hospital was unsuccessful, they relied on traditional medicines to alleviate her pain. Finally, she was referred to our medical partner’s hospital. Eh Lel was diagnosed with spinal dysphrasism, a neurological condition affecting the spinal cord. Her physician informed the family that without treatment, her condition would only worsen as she grew. In November, she underwent an MRI, which revealed a cyst lesion on her spine. On December 1, she underwent surgery to remove the growth. Eh Lel’s family borrowed money to pay for transportation to our medical partner’s hospital. They need help to fund this $1,500 procedure. “I want my daughter to go to school for an education,” says her father, “and grow up to be whatever she wishes.”

Soe is a 16-year-old boy who was born with an uncomfortable gastrointestinal condition. Since he was seven, he has undergone several treatments that have provided only temporary relief. After fourth grade, Soe dropped out of school because his condition made it difficult for him to continue with his education. He joined his father as a worker in the rubber industry. They cultivate rubber plants and tap the trees for the product. Their income is only enough to meet their daily needs. Recently, Soe has been experiencing pain and urinary dysfunction. His use of traditional medicine had led to little success. Fortunately, on November 25, Soe underwent a rectal biopsy. The results of this test will allow his doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan. Now, Soe’s family needs help to pay his $1,206 medical bill. "I hope to get well soon," Soe says. "I want to become a trader in food staples, such as beans."

Srey Ley is six years old and in the first grade. She has three sisters and one brother. She likes to watch cartoons on TV and play with other children around her home. Srey Ley was diagnosed with meningoencephalocele, a condition in which an abnormal sac of fluid and tissue extends through the skull. She has undergone two surgeries to treat her condition. She returned to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for further repair of her right eyelid. On November 30, CSC surgeons performed a repair surgery. After recovery, she will feel more comfortable. Now, her family needs help to fund this $450 procedure. "I hope my daughter will look better and have no pain," says Srey Ley's father.

Zin Phyo is a four-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder. She lives with her parents, sister, brother, and grandmother. A few years ago, they moved to a town in which Zin Phyo’s father is a Muslim leader. Her mother cares for the household. Her brother is in fifth grade, and her sister studies the Quran from home. Zin Phyo was born with urinary dysfunction. Throughout her life, her family has managed her condition with traditional medicine. When she was two months old, she developed problems with her feet. She underwent casting, orthopedic surgery, and physical therapy to help her walk. Unfortunately, her parents spent all of their savings on these treatments. Recently, Zin Phyo’s family visited our medical partner’s hospital to seek treatment for her urinary condition. On November 7, she underwent an MRI to confirm her diagnosis. This test will allow her doctor to formulate a personalized treatment plan. Now, her family needs help to pay her $814 medical bill. "I grew up in clinics and hospitals,” says Zin Phyo, “and I want to be a doctor when I grow up.”

Sovan is a 46-year-old farmer with three sons and two daughters. He likes to watch TV and listen to the radio. In July 2016, Sovan was in a traffic collision, and he sustained a brachial plexus injury (BPI), which occurs when nerves in the back are damaged. He had difficulty using his left arm. When Sovan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On November 4, he underwent BPI surgery, which involved diverting nerves from other locations and sewing them onto the non-functioning nerves. Recovery from this procedure can take up to six months. Now, Sovan needs help to raise $450 to cover his medical bills.

Ra is a 27-year-old farmer who is married with two sons. He likes to watch boxing on TV and listen to music. Seven months ago, Ra was in a road traffic accident that caused a fracture to his left forearm and a dislocated shoulder. Ra received treatment from a hospital in Phnom Penh, but his symptoms did not improve. Ra could not lift his left arm, and he was in pain. When Ra learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours to seek treatment. He was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury (BPI), which occurs when nerves in the back are damaged. On November 8, CSC surgeons performed a BPI surgery to repair his damaged nerves. After recovery, Ra will be able to use his arm easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $450 procedure.

Sok Hak is a 24-year-old farmer with one brother and one sister. He likes to play soccer, go to his farm, and talk with his friends. Sok Hak has developed a cholesteatoma, an abnormal skin growth, in his left ear. It causes ear discharge, hearing loss, and pain. Sok Hak is unhappy and has difficulty working. When Sok Hak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On November 23, CSC surgeons performed a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear to remove the cholesteatoma. After recovery, his hearing will improve. Now, he needs help to fund this $842 procedure. "I hope that I can have good hearing," he says, "and that it will be easy for me to go to work."

Touch is a 33-year-old electrician who is married with three sons. He likes to read magazines, watch TV, and listen to the radio. In 2012, Touch began to experience pain in his right hip. By July 2016, the pain had spread to his left hip. Now, he cannot walk without support. When Touch learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for five hours to seek treatment. On November 28, surgeons at CSC performed a total hip replacement on Touch's right hip. This procedure should relieve him of his pain and allow him to walk easily again. He needs help to pay his $781 medical bill. Touch shares, "I hope that I can walk normally again and no longer have pain."

Agrey is an 18-year-old young man from Tanzania. He is the youngest of eight children, and his parents are subsistence farmers. When he was nine years old, Agrey's legs began to bend, and they have continued to do so. Though he completed seventh grade, he has not sought a job because of the pain he experiences when he walks. Agrey's parents were referred to our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House, by a neighbor whose grandchild was born with the same condition. Agrey was diagnosed with genu valgus, a condition in which the legs bend inward and the knees touch. On November 30, he began a treatment plan that includes surgery, casting, and physiotherapy. Now, his family needs help to pay his $940 medical bill. "I would like to look like my peers with straight legs," says Agrey. "I hope that once I have finished my treatment, I will be able to look for a job."

Wai Yan is a 19-year-old Burmese man. Six months ago, he suffered severe burns to over half of his body in a work-related accident. He works in a gas station, and as he was moving supplies into a storeroom, an explosion occurred. He received third degree burns on his hands, arms, shoulders, thighs, calves, and feet. Fortunately, his face and head were not injured, and he suffered no pulmonary damage. When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a critical care ward at a hospital. He had been heavily medicated for pain, and dressings had been applied to his wounds. Wai Yan was in the hospital for two months. However, the owner of the gas station refused to pay the hospital bill for any longer, and he returned home. Recently, another humanitarian organization referred Wai Yan to our medical partner. He had largely lost the use of his left hand, and his right hand was restricted in motion. He was capable of walking only at a slow and deliberate pace. He could no longer run or play cane ball, his favorite pastime. In January 2016, Wai Yan underwent successful surgery on his left hand. Since then, however, his skin had been dry and painful. He could not expose his skin to direct sunlight. Though function in his hand improved after his first surgery, he still lacked control and strength in his fingers. On November 30, he underwent another surgery to release the scarred tissue. Wai Yan’s parents used to work as laborers in the flower industry, but his mother stopped working to care for him. Their income is not sufficient to cover the cost of healthcare. They need help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Wai Yan hopes to be able to work again and help his family. “I just want to work for my family so my parents can retire,” he says.

Sok Chea is a 19-year-old farmer who has two younger brothers. He likes to go to the farm, play soccer, and play games. Five months ago, Sok Chea developed a cholesteatoma, an abnormal skin growth, in his left ear. It causes ear discharge, hearing loss, bleeding, pain, and a ringing or buzzing in his ear. Though he has been taking medication, his symptoms have not improved. He is unhappy because he has difficulty communicating with others. When Sok Chea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On November 24, CSC surgeons performed a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear to remove the cholesteatoma. After recovery, his hearing will improve. Now, he needs help to fund this $842 procedure. "I hope to have no more pain, good hearing, and an easier time communicating with other people, " says Sok Chea.