Sat is an 80-year-old retired bean farmer. She has two sons, four daughters, and 11 grandchildren, and lives with her youngest daughter in Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. Sadly, her husband passed away four years ago. Two years ago, Sat developed a cataract in her right eye, resulting in sensitivity to light and blurry vision. These symptoms make it difficult for Sat to see clearly, and to live completely independently. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Sat access the treatment she needs. On February 7th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After recovery, Sat will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Sat said: "I hope my eye will see better. I want to make Khmer cakes to sell to improve our living."

Saw Kyaw is a 25-year-old man living in Thailand. He currently lives with his older sister, younger sister, mother and her niece. He moved from Burma to Thailand for job opportunities three years ago. He was working in a shop and was able to support two younger siblings who are studying in Karen State in Burma. Around the end of July, he was playing football with friends when he slipped trying to kick the ball. His lower right leg was very painful, but he was still able to bear weight lightly on that leg. At the time, Saw Kyaw didn’t have health insurance, so he went to a clinic instead of the hospital. There they examined his leg, gave him some medication for the pain and advised him to go to the hospital for an X-ray if the pain persisted. Saw Kyaw rested for two days and then went back to work. That day at work, Saw Kyaw was carrying a heavy load when he slipped again. This time, the pain was severe, and he was unable to stand on his right leg. He went to a hospital in Bangkok where they X-rayed his lower right leg and told him that the tibia was fractured. The doctor recommended surgery where they would use a metal rod to connect the bones and set them in the correct position to heal. Saw Kyaw was told that the surgery would cost between 40,000 to 50,000 baht (approx. 1,330- 1,660 USD). He told them that he did not have insurance and was unable to afford the surgery, so they gave him pain medication and bandaged up his leg. He returned to the hospital three times and each time the doctor recommended surgery, but Kyaw was unable to figure out how he could get that kind of money. His employer was not helpful and refused to assist with the cost of the surgery. Since Saw Kyaw didn’t have the money, he decided to just rest and see whether the bones would heal on their own. Saw Kyaw recalled that he had fractured his femur when he was young, and he had used a traditional medicated oil to help heal the injury. He hoped that he could use this on his new fracture. But now he cannot walk properly and cannot work since his accident. He is stressed about his condition and his future. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Saw Kyaw will finally undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for December 7th and will cost $1,500. He will able to go back to work after surgery Saw Kyaw said, “I would like to go back to Bangkok and find work again so I can go back to helping my family; my siblings who are studying in Burma, and also my mother who is getting older. I also want to save some money for my future. I will not work at the same place though as they have not been kind or caring since I had the accident.”

Srey Neang is a one-year-old baby who lives with her parents and older brother. Her mother is a construction worker and her father sells traditional Khmer cakes at the local market. Her old brother is in grade eight at the local school. Srey Neang has just learned to walk and keeps her mother very busy as she explores the family home. Recently, Srey Neang has been pulling on her left ear and crying. Her mother noticed that the ear is red and swollen. A local clinic diagnosed her with a pre-auricular skin pit - also known as a sinus or ear pit - which are congenital small depressions in the skin in front of the ear. These are usually harmless, but they can become infected and they require medical attention. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can treat Srey Neang by removing the skin pit. Srey Neang's family needs support with the $297 cost, which will cover surgery, hospitalization, and post-operative medications. Srey Neang and her family traveled two hours to CSC, where she will undergo surgery on March 3rd. Srey Neang's mother said, "We hope the infection goes away and Srey Neang stops having pain, so she can be happy again."