Mao is a 52-year-old rice farmer from Prey Veng province in Cambodia. She is married and has a son, two daughters, and one grandchild. Mao's husband is also a rice farmer. About one year ago, the retina of Mao's right eye detached, causing her partial blindness and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere on her own. Mao sought help from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On April 9th, eye surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure on her right eye. After recovery, Mao will be able to see better. Now she needs your help to fund this $649 procedure. Mao shared: "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can stop worrying about my eye and go back to growing rice."

Sreymey is a 15-year-old teenage girl from Cambodia. She is the youngest of four siblings and lives with her mother and brother in Kampong Cham province. Her father passed away when she was a toddler. Her mother works as a potato farmer and her older brother is a monk who lives and studies at a pagoda. Her other two siblings attend a nearby school. Sreymey is currently in the 5th grade, and enjoys studying Cambodian history and culture. Sreymey dreams of working in a salon when she grows up. At home, she likes to eat vegetable soup, and she loves spending her free time painting and drawing. Sreymey was born with Escobar syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by multiple pterygia, or web-like skin folds, across joints and other parts of the body. This condition causes muscle tightness throughout her body, affecting both her upper and lower extremities. Her joint mobility is very limited, making it difficult for her to walk and perform daily activities. Because of this, Sreymey is behind several grades in school, but hopes to attend more regularly and focus on her studies. Sreymey was referred by a relative to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). She and her mom traveled for five hours to seek treatment. On June 13th, surgeons will perform a web neck release surgery to improve the function of her neck and head movement. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is seeking assistance to fund the $462 needed for Sreymey's surgery and physiotherapy. Sreymey said, "I hope I can return to school as soon as possible."

Hor is a 71-year-old retired baker from Kandal province, Cambodia. She is recently widowed and her son has taken over the family business of selling Cambodian cakes from a street cart. Now that she is home more often, she helps care for her two grandchildren. She enjoys listening to Buddhist radio and cooking for her family. Around one month ago, Hor developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Hor learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 28th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Our medical partner is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Hor can contribute $100 towards her medical costs but needs help to raise the remaining $153. Hor shared, "I hope after surgery I can take care of myself and my grandchildren more easily."