Kuch is a 65-year-old dishwasher from Phnom Penh. He is married and has one daughter. His wife is also a dishwasher, and his daughter is a garment worker. At home, Kuch likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Kuch developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. Kuch traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to seek treatment. On June 9th, surgeons will remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of his procedure is $298. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Kuch said, "I hope after surgery my eye will not be irritated and I can feel better so I can go back to work well."

Serey is a three-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and three older siblings. His father works as a construction worker, and his mother works in a mango jam factory. His siblings are all students. In his free time, he enjoys playing with toy cars and eating all kinds of soup, especially lemongrass sour soup. Serey was born with syndactyly of both hands, meaning his 3rd and 4th fingers on both hands are fused. This makes it difficult for him to use his hands comfortably and affects his confidence around others. Fortunately, on April 23rd, our medical partner, the Children's Surgical Centre, will assist Serey in undergoing syndactyly repair surgery to separate and release the fused fingers. This procedure will cost $462, and Serey needs your support to fund the surgery. Serey's father said, “After the surgery, I hope that my son will be able to use his hands more freely and comfortably in his daily life. I also hope he will gain confidence, no longer feel shy about his appearance, and be able to interact and play happily with others like any other child.”

Jordan is a six-day-old baby boy. He is the youngest child in a family of three children. His parents are pastoralists, raising livestock. Jordan was born with clubfoot on both feet. A condition that causes both feet to turn inward. If left untreated, this condition could make it difficult for him to walk comfortably, participate in daily activities, and wear shoes as he grows. It could also limit his ability to attend school and engage fully with other children in his community. Fortunately, Jordan has the opportunity to receive treatment, which involves a series of gentle manipulations and casts to gradually correct the position of his feet. This will be followed by a tenotomy procedure to achieve the best possible correction and the use of a Foot Abduction Brace (FAB) until the age of five to maintain the correction. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on June 19th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Jordan's clubfoot repair. With this early intervention, Jordan will hopefully grow up to be an active, happy, and healthy child. Jordans mother says, "I want Jordan to be able to play football with his friends when he grows up and show them that he can do anything they can do."