Panha is a 7-year-old second grader who lives with his parents on the southern coast of Cambodia. His mother works in a nearby canned food factory, and his dad works in construction. Panha loves creating art, eating Cambodian street food, and learning Cambodian culture and history at school. In July 2022, Panha was playing at home when he accidentally knocked over a boiling pot and sustained burns on the lower part of his body. Burn scar contractures have developed around his hip and groin, making it difficult for him to walk or attend school comfortably. When Panha's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On May 16th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help Panha walk easily and feel comfortable again. CSC is requesting $495 to fund this procedure. Panha's family contributed $100 to his care. Panha's mom said, "I hope Panha feels better after surgery and can focus at school."

Keat is a retired rice farmer who lives in Takeo province with his wife. Their daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren live nearby and visit them often. His daughter helps support Keat and his wife by working in a garment factory. His favorite activities are spending time with his grandchildren and gardening around his house. Approximately 3.5 years ago, Keat became aware of a mass developing on his left hand. Although he sought some treatment at a local clinic, the mass has continued growing, causing him discomfort. Keat experiences pain and is concerned about the possibility of the mass expanding further. Keat traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 28th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Now, Keat needs help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. Keat hopes to return home without discomfort, end his worrying, and help take care of his grandchildren.

Somnang is a 30-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who work as rice farmers, and his three younger brothers, two of whom also work in construction. His youngest brother is still in school. In his free time, Somnang likes to listen to music on the phone with his family and friends. About one month ago, Somnang developed a chalazion in his left eye, causing him itchiness, irritation, and eye redness. A chalazion is a small lump in the oil gland of the eyelid. Somnang traveled for one hour to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On July 4th, surgeons at CSC's care center will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Somnang's symptoms should improve. He needs help raising $210 to fund this procedure. He shared, "After surgery, I hope my eyelid stops swelling, there is no bump and I don't have to worry about my eye when I am outside working"

Sea is a 61-year-old rice farmer from Kompong Cham province. She lives in a village near her best friend- her younger sister. In her free time, she is a volunteer cleaner at her local pagoda. About three years ago, Sea developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus is unable to travel on her own. When Sea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On April 20th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and place an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She shared, "I hope after surgery I can do my work more easily and recognize people."

Soeun is a 72-year-old retired rice farmer from Kompong Chhnang province in Cambodia. She has three sons, one daughter, and nine grandchildren. Recently widowed, she now lives alone near her oldest son, who is also a rice farmer. In her free time, she helps care for her grandchildren. About three years ago, Soeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Her impaired vision makes her unwilling to go out walking on her own. On April 21st, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After recovery, Soeun will be able to see clearly and regain her independence. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and Soeun need your help to fund this $253 procedure. Soeun said: "I hope my vision improves after surgery and I can do housework, and get around easily by myself."

Rithy Skay is a happy first-grader from Cambodia. He lives in Phnom Penh with his parents and 3-year-old sister. His father is in the army, and his mom stays at home to look after Rithy Skay and his sister, as well as her aging parents. At school, Rithy Skay likes music class and learning to write the Khmer alphabet. He would like to be in the military when he grows up, like his dad. For the last two years, Rithy Skay has been experiencing a sore throat, snoring, and difficulty swallowing. Being frequently ill causes him to miss school, and he has lost weight in the last six months due to skipping meals because of the pain he experiences swallowing. Rithy Skay was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Fortunately, on May 8th, Rithy Skay will undergo a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, in which surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids. The surgery will relieve Rithy Skay's symptoms and help him live much more comfortably. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), requests $265 to fund this procedure. When asked about their hopes for his future, Rithy Skay's parents shared their hopes that he can be healthy and no longer have to miss school.

Meet 18 year old Rathanak: He lives with his family in Kampong Chhnang province in Cambodia. His parents are rice farmers, while his older brother works in construction. Rathanak is in 11th grade at the local public school. In April 2023, a motorbike crashed into Rathanak from behind, during the revelries of the Khmer New Year. He was taken to a local hospital, where an X-ray revealed that his right hip had been dislocated. He underwent a closed hip reduction, and was sent home. Since then, Rathanak has had to walk on his tiptoes, because one leg is longer than the other. He went for a second consultation at a government hospital in Phnom Penh, but could not afford the treatment that was proposed. Now, in addition to limping badly, he has pain, which has prevented him from attending school. One of the doctors referred Rathanak to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, where a consultation and additional X-ray revealed a persistent anterior hip dislocation. CSC surgeons plan to do an anterior reduction on August 8th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Rathanak and his family need your help to cover the $485 cost of the procedure, the medications, physiotherapy and the hospital stay. Rathanak said: "My wish is to walk normally again so I can return to school and have no pain."

Pheakdey is a 18-year-old factory worker in need of fracture surgery to heal his leg. He lives in Kratie province with his mother and father, both of whom work in construction, and his sister, who works in customer service. At home, he likes to listen to music with his friends. In April 2023, he was in a motorbike accident and fractured his right femur and wrist. Because his family could not afford to take him to a hospital, He went to a Khmer traditional medicine healer for treatment. After a month, his fracture has not healed, and he is in pain. Pheakday cannot walk without help, and he cannot work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 19th, Pheakdey will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will heal the fracture and help him to walk again. Pheakdey shared: "After surgery, I hope my leg heals and I don't have any pain, so I can walk like I used to."

Chhun Y is a 38-year-old mom of four from Cambodia. She lives with her husband, three sons, and one daughter. While she is at home caring for the children, her husband works at a nearby construction site. She enjoys cooking and shopping in the market with her kids. Around twenty years ago, Chhun Y developed an ear infection that caused her tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. Consequently, Chhun Y experiences pain and ear discharge. She cannot communicate clearly with her children and has spent money on several medications that haven't helped. Chhun Y traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 10th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $487 to fund this procedure, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Chhun Y contributed $100 to her care. She shared, "I hope I can improve my hearing and make my life easier, and my children's lives better."

Alizu is a 15 year-old girl who lives in Kampong Thom province with her parents and two sisters. Her parents work as rice farmers, her older sister is also a cleaner, and her younger sister is still in school. In her free time, she enjoys reading and checking her social media. Alizu has nasal polyps in each nostril that cause bad odor, discharge, and pain. For the last four years, she has suffered from frequent headaches and difficulty sleeping due to the obstruction in her nose. She has been using medications to manage these symptoms but her condition has not improved. Fortunately, surgeons at Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) are able to perform a nasal surgery on September 18th to alleviate these symptoms permanently. Her family needs help to raise $388 to fund the surgery. Alizu said, “I really hope after the surgery my nose will be better, my headaches will go away so I can feel normal again."

Kop is a loving grandmother from Phnom Penh. She is 68 years old, married, and has six children - three sons and three daughters - and ten grandchildren. Her life now revolves around her grandchildren, who are her pride and joy. Kop used to sell fish at the market until, she shared, she became too old to do so. Her children also support her financially. In her free time, she loves listening to monks pray on the radio. About one year ago, Kop developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty cleaning the house or using the stove to cook due to her limited vision. She also has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is unable to go out on her own. When Kop learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled there hoping for treatment. Fortunately, the doctors at CSC were able to quickly diagnose Kop's cataract and created a treatment plan. On July 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to help fund this procedure. Kop said, "After the surgery, I hope to see better and would like to sell Khmer cheese. That way, I can earn some money for myself and help my family."

Sophanun is an active seven-year-old student in grade one. He and his family come from Battambang province, approximately six and a half hours away from the capital city. He has one younger sister, his father is a musician, and his mother stays home to care for the children. His favorite activities in school are singing Khmer songs and painting. He has recently learned to swim and really enjoys splashing in the water his father. His favorite foods are pork porridge, broccoli with meat, and fresh mango juice. For several years, Sophanun has been experiencing sore throats. During the night he often has trouble breathing. He gets frequent fevers and he doesn't sleep or feel well. Frequent illness causes him to lose his appetite and miss school. Sophanun was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Sophanun, which is scheduled to take place on September 26th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Sophanun of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably and be able to attend school and do all the things he loves. His parents say, "We hope that after surgery, Sophanum will be comfortable drinking and eating and it will be easy for him to breathe."