In late January, Sothea was helping her parents on their farm when she fell and broke her elbow. She was treated by her village healer, but her fracture has not healed. She is constantly in pain and cannot bend her arm.
Orthopedic care is extremely rare in Cambodia, and it is difficult for rural people to access high-quality medical care because it is so prohibitively expensive. Tragically, it’s not uncommon that an injury like Sothea’s would result in a permanent disability and affect her ability to go to school, get a job, and live a normal life.
Despite the challenges she’s faced since her injury, Sothea is a happy, outgoing girl who loves playing with her friends. She is the youngest of three children. Her family lives and works on their rice farm, and makes just enough money to put food on the table.
For $300, Children’s Surgical Centre can provide Sothea with surgery to fix her arm. The doctors at CSC say they are glad Sothea’s mom brought her to CSC, where she will have a chance at regaining full mobility.