Som is a 58-year-old homemaker from Cambodia. She lives in Kampong Thom Province with her husband and her second child, who is a rice farmer. She has four married children who live nearby with their own families. She enjoys going to the pagoda and listening to monks pray in her free time. About two months ago, Som noticed a lump on the left side of her neck. Although it was not painful, it gradually became more noticeable and caused a feeling of fullness, especially when swallowing. Som visited our medical partner's care center, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where she was diagnosed with a left cystic thyroid goiter. The lump causes discomfort and tightness in her neck when swallowing, making her anxious about her health and concerned that it may continue to grow. On July 15th, surgeons will remove the mass. Som's family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $244 more to fund her procedure and care. Som said, “I have been worried since I noticed the lump on my neck. I hope after the surgery, I will feel comfortable again and no longer be concerned every time I swallow.”

Lida is a 20-year-old garment factory worker from Cambodia. She is the youngest of six siblings and lives with her elderly mother. Her father passed away three years ago, while all of her siblings work in garment factories. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and watching movies. In September 2024, Lida was involved in a traffic accident that resulted in open fractures of her left thigh bone and shin bone. She initially received treatment at a private hospital before coming to CSC for further care. She continues to have stiffness in her left knee and ankle and needs crutches to walk. She also has discharge from the outer side of her left ankle, causing ongoing discomfort and making it difficult for her to move independently. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On September 03, Lida will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $378. Removing the frame and applying a below-knee cast will support the next stage of her recovery, helping protect her leg while it continues to heal and allowing her to work toward walking more independently. Lida said, “I hope this treatment will help my leg heal, and reduce the infection and discomfort. I look forward to walking more independently and returning to my normal daily activities.”

Met is a 66-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom, Cambodia. She is married and has one son, three daughters, and six grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is also a retired rice farmer. Her children are rice farmers, too. During her free time, she likes to visit her children's houses and go to the pagoda. About ten years ago, Met developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind, or dust, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Met learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Met needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The procedure will take place on June 9th, and she needs help raising $286 to fund her procedure and care. Met said, "I hope after surgery, my eye will no longer be tearing, irritated, or red, so I don't have to worry about it anymore. I can go back to growing some vegetables around my house, and I can go to the pagoda and join the ceremonies and visit my relatives, too!"