"With the cyst removed and my eyes feeling better, I hope to work on the farm and go anywhere by myself,” shares Hy, a 62-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. Hy has three sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Hy has a pterygium - a noncancerous growth in each of her eyes. “Hy developed a pterygium in each eye two years ago," explains our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. "This causes her blurred vision, tearing, burning, and irritation. She can't see everything clearly, do work well, or go anywhere outside. She doesn't feel good about her appearance or ability to work." $150 funds a treatment that will remove the pterygium from Hy's eyes. The cysts will be removed and the pain and burning will be relieved. Let's help Hy get back to her daily life without discomfort!

Meet 26-year-old Sokunthea from Cambodia. “Sokunthea is a garment worker who enjoys listening to music, especially pop songs,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Unfortunatey, Sokunthea was recently involved in a motorcycle accident that has left her unable to provide for herself. “Sokunthea was hit by a car while on a motorcycle in August,” reports CSC. “She fractured her right femur and patella (kneecap). It is difficult for her to walk because of her broken leg. She also experiences pain and cannot work. Her parents must take care of her until she is better.” “Sokunthea feels sad, because she cannot work to support herself,” shares CSC. “She received treatment with Khmer traditional medicine a month ago, but her condition did not improve.” With $405 in funding, Sokunthea can receive an open reduction internal fixation surgery to realign the bone fracture into its normal position and keep the realigned bone stable via steel rods, screws, or plates. This cost includes anesthesia, medical instruments, general operation supplies, laboratory work, physiotherapy, post-operative medicine, and x-rays. Sokunthea should be completely healed after surgery. CSC says, “Sokunthea will be able to walk again without pain, and return to work at the garment factory to support herself.”

Say hello to Piseth, a 22-year-old student from Cambodia! According to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), “Piseth is in his second year at university. In his free time, he really likes playing soccer with his friends." Unfortunately, “Piseth has had chronic discharge in his right ear for the last twelve years, and reduced hearing in the same year. His studies are disrupted because of the discomfort,” explains CSC. If this chronic ear infection is left untreated, Piseth will continue to have discomfort in his ear affect his studies and well-being. For $400, Piseth will receive the necessary surgery to repair damaged tissue in his ear, preventing future discharge and possibly restoring his hearing. Let’s help Piseth live pain-free again!

Heang is a thirty-year-old hard-working father and carpenter from Cambodia. Five months ago, Heang was in a motorbike accident that fractured his right ankle. Although Heang went to the local hospital for treatment, he could only afford the cost of a cast. Heang's ankle has continued to swell and he has difficulty walking, but he cannot afford further care. Because the pain in Heang's ankle has persisted, he recently visited a traditional Khmer healer for a remedy. Heang is eager to find an effective treatment he can afford because the fracture is so severe he is currently not able to go to work or play with his two children. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, tells us that, “When Heang’s ankle was better, he liked to play volleyball.” For $300, Heang will undergo surgery to have his ankle fracture set and repaired. After this treatment Heang's bones will heal properly and eliminate the pain and swelling. Let’s see Heang walk with ease again, return to his carpentry, and even play volleyball with his kids!

When Chea was 10-years-old, he was severely burned when a pot of hot soup fell on his arm. Now, sixteen years later, the scar tissue on his arm limits his mobility which makes his work difficult. Now 26, works on Cambodia’s shared border with Thailand as a fruit seller. Chea visited our partners in Cambodia, Children’s Surgical Center, who write, “Chea has severe burn contractures causing his fingers to bend towards his palm. He needs surgery to release the scar tissue and a skin graft.” For $300, we can fund a burn contracture release procedure, which will restore mobility in Chea’s hand. Let’s help Chea enjoy his life with greater dexterity and less pain!

Meet Elias, an 18-year old boy from Tanzania. First born in a family of six children, he helps his father herd the cattle they sell. Elias needs to walk long distances to help his father, but he suffers from genu valgum, commonly called "knock-knee." With this condition, his knees angle in and touch when he straightens his legs. The uneven weight distribution on his knees causes severe pain and problems with walking. "He walks with difficulty and takes longer to reach places due to knocking his knees when walking. Elias is prone to early osteoarthritis if not treated,” the African Mission Healthcare Foundation writes. “I really want to go to school,” says Elias who can no longer attend classes due to his condition. For $555, we can fund an osteotomy to correct Elias’ knee. Doctors expect, "Elias’ gait will tremendously improve, he will be able to walk faster and longer distances and chances of developing early osteoarthritis will decrease." Regaining his ability to walk normally and free of pain will be a massive change in his life, and will enable Elias to better help his father and return to school!

Sothi lives with his parents, brother, and sister in Cambodia, and loves to play with his toy cars. However, he struggles to hold them due to his current condition. Sothi was born with congenital finger contractures, a condition that keeps him from being able to fully extend two of his fingers. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre explains, “Surgery can help to straighten out the two affected fingers and improve their function…he will be able to grip and it will be easier for him to write and participate when he starts school in a couple of years." For $225, Sothi will receive a surgery that will improve the function of his fingers. Let's help Sothi by improving his dexterity for years to come!