Vorn is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. He has two sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren. He lives with his wife and his youngest son, who are also farmers. About five years ago, Vorn developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him constant tearing and irritation. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is damaged due to excessive sun exposure, causing the abnormal growth of cells over the pupil. Vorn is worried that this condition has permanently affected his eye and that he will go blind. Vorn sought treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. With their help, he is now scheduled to have a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the surface of the cornea and replace it with a conjunctival graft, which should prevent a recurrence. The procedure, which will cost $225, is scheduled for April 25th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Vorn needs help to raise the money to cover the costs of the procedure, medications, supplies, and two days of inpatient care. Vorn shared: "I hope after surgery my eye will no longer be irritated and tearing, and I won’t worry about my eye anymore. I need to work to feed my family."

Hok is a 27-year-old mother of two from Cambodia who lives in a rural province with her husband and sons. Her husband is a fisherman, and Hok stays home to care for their young children. She loves music, especially traditional Cambodian songs, and enjoys sewing clothing for herself and her children. Hok has had a recurring ear infection since she was five years old. The infection has caused a cholesteatoma- an abnormal skin growth- to develop in the middle ear behind her eardrum, leading to ear discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Hok has difficulty hearing and is sometimes embarrassed to go out because of the pus from her ear. Hok traveled to our medical partners at the Children's Surgical Centre to receive treatment. On March 6th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear during which ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. CSC is requesting $926 to cover the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Hok said, "I'm tired of having this my whole life. I want surgery to help my hearing and I want to be able to sleep without the ringing noise."

Boran is a grandmother from Phnom Penh. She has two sons and three grandchildren. She lives with her oldest sister, and they have recently retired from selling food in the local market. Boran enjoys cooking and visiting her local pagoda. About one year ago, Boran developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus she is unable to travel on her own. When Boran learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On February 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant a new lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She said, "I hope after surgery I can see well again and go places on my own."