Pheak Tra is an 18-month-old living in Kandal province with his parents, grandparents, and three siblings. Pheak Tra's mom works in a nearby clothing factory and his dad is a rice farmer. His grandparents help care for the children, and Pheak Tra is the only child not in school yet. His favorite things are milk, fish soup, and playing with his siblings. Pheak Tra was born with radial club hand, a rare birth defect characterized by a hand that turns inward toward the body, and an absent thumb. Pheak Tra's function in his left hand is limited, which makes it hard to play with his toys and carry out everyday activities. His parents have been worrying about how and when to treat him, due to the fear of the costs. Pheak Tra and his grandma traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for help. On February 1st, he will undergo a tendon procedure under the care of visiting specialists from Singapore and a small team of Cambodian surgeons as part of an ongoing nerve and tendon surgical training program. After surgery, Pheak Tra will have improved function in his hand. Pheak Tra's grandma shared, "We want him to be able to do things with his brother and sister, and to be able to use his hand when he starts school in the future."

Belta is a 14-year-old girl from Kenya. Belta's father operates a boda-boda taxi in town, while her mother sells clothing in a nearby market. Belta is the second of three children and she aspires to become a pilot. When Belta was 10 years old, her mother noticed a change in how she walked. Belta would complain of pain while walking, which emanated from her back to her legs. Belta's family heard about our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure Hospital, through a friend, whose child had been successfully treated for a similar condition. The doctors found that Belta has a curvature of the spine and scheduled her for posterior instrument fusion surgery to take place on March 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund Belta's life-changing surgery which will enable her to walk without pain and discomfort. Belta shared, “I am looking forward to a complete recovery, continuing and finishing my studies well, and becoming a better person in the future who will greatly impact society.”

Srey Nith is a 14-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives with her parents, two siblings, and her 87-year-old grandmother. Both of her parents work in construction, while her eldest brother works as a truck driver transporting construction materials. Srey Nith has a twin sister, and both are in the seventh grade. At school, Srey Nith likes to study Khmer history and enjoys playing volleyball with her friends. Ten months ago, while playing with her friends, Srey Nith slipped and fell, breaking her hip. Her parents could not afford surgery for her and hoped that the pain would go away, but since then, she has been frequently missing school as her right leg is unable to support her weight. She is unable to walk or flex her hip, and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 14th, Srey Nith will undergo a fracture repair procedure which will allow her to walk again without pain. Srey Nith's family are able to contribute $75 towards her treatment, and need help raising the remaining $408. Srey Nith says: "I hope the operation will be successful in repairing my hip, allowing me to regain the ability to walk and play volleyball."