Chanthoeun is a 35-year-old welder from Cambodia. He is married and has a 15-year-old daughter in grade 10 at a public school. His wife is a garment worker. In his free time, he enjoys listening to the news on the radio and watching boxing on TV. In September 2022, Chanthoeun was in a motorcycle accident on his way home from work and fractured two major bones in his left lower leg. Because he did not have enough money, he went to a Khmer traditional healer, but his leg became infected. His leg is red and swollen, and it is very painful. He has an open wound on his shin, is unable to walk, and must use a wheelchair. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 1st, Chanthoeun will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. A debridement of the dead skin and an external frame to stabilize the broken bones will support the mending of his fractures. Doctors hope this will help him walk again. Chanthoeun said: "After surgery, I hope my leg will be better, I will be free of pain, and I can return to work to support my family."

Ching is a bright 3-year-old girl from Cambodia. Ching is the youngest child in her family and has two brothers and one sister. Her parents are farmers in Kampong Cham and grow rice and other fruit to sell at the local market to make ends meet. Ching is not old enough to attend school yet and likes to play with dolls with her sister. Two months ago, Ching developed a chalazion in her right eye, causing her itchiness and irritation. Her eye is red and unsightly, and neighborhood children make fun of her. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. It is difficult for her to see clearly and she feels bad due to the pain. Ching and her family traveled for four and a half hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On January 5th, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Ching's symptoms should improve. Their family needs help raising $187 to fund this procedure. Her mother said, "I want her eye to get better after surgery, so I can go to the rice field and do not worry about her eye."

Brightness is a baby from Tanzania. Her parents are small scale farmers of maize and vegetables for their own consumption. able to support her children. Brightness was diagnosed with genu valgus. Her legs are bowed inward so that her knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, She cannot walk without pain and discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Brightness. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 1st. Treatment will hopefully restore Brightness's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Brightness’s mother says, “I am scared of how bad my daughter’s legs are being deformed, please help treat her I have no means of raising the money.”

Malen is an eight grade student from Cambodia. She has one brother and two sisters. She likes to listen to music. She enjoys studying economics and mathematics. Five years ago, Malen had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Malen experiences pain, tinnitus, hearing loss, and ear discharge. She cannot communicate clearly with others and hear well. Malen traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 18, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Her grandmother says, "I am worried about my granddaughter's hearing and hope it can improve after the operation."

This is 66-year-old Moeun, a father of six and grandfather of 11 from Cambodia. "He enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray and feeding the cows and chickens at home," our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. Moeun was recently screened by one of CSC's outreach teams, and they learned that he had developed a cataract in each eye about one year ago. A cataract occurs when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy from a buildup of proteins. In Moeun's case, this cloudiness has accumulated over time, and has slowly deteriorated his vision. If left untreated, he could completely lose his ability to see. Due to this condition, Moeun has experienced blurred vision, tearing, discharge, and pain. "I can't see everything clearly, do any work well, or go anywhere outside," Moeun says. Moeun traveled four hours with his wife to reach CSC for proper treatment. Since he no longer works and does not have a steady income, it is difficult for his family to pay for any medical expenses. $225 in funding will help cover the costs of a lens replacement, where doctors at CSC will remove the cloudy lenses in Moeun's eyes and replace them with clear implants. The cost of treatment also includes a two-day hospital stay, medication and food. Within one day after his operation, Moeun will be able to see clearly again. "I hope my eye can see everything clear, so I can easily help my family to do some housework like clean grass and feed animals around home," shares Moeun.