Voeun is a retired rice farmer from Kompong Thom province in Cambodia. He is 73 years-old and married with two sons, three daughters, and five grandchildren. One of his daughters and her husband live nearby and help support Voeun and his wife by working in the rice fields. The other children help when they can. In his free time, Voeun likes listening to the news on the radio and going to the pagoda to pray. About one year ago, Voeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him photophobia, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Voeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On February 7th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He shared, "I hope after surgery I can recognize my grandchildren better and I would like to go to the pagoda on my own without my family worrying about me."

Chea is a 22-year-old from Cambodia who is eager to start working again. He lives in Phnom Penh province with his sister and her husband, who are drink sellers outside the local vegetable market. Before his motorbike accident, he worked as a carpenter's assistant and enjoyed playing football. Now, he just stays home. In August 2022, Chea was in a traffic accident and fractured the mid-shaft of his right femur in his leg. He went to a local trauma hospital and had metalwork inserted into his femur to support healing. He has a constant ache in the leg and hopes that after the removal of the metal, he can complete rehabilitation of his leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 9th, Chea will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. In the future, he hopes to be able to find work after removing the metal from his leg. Chea said: "I want to make sure my leg is strong so I can find work again, and have no infection and no pain."

Bopha is an 18-year-old student who lives in Kandal province with her parents, who are rice farmers. Bopha is the youngest child of three; she has two brothers, one is still in school and one is a teacher. She studies in grade 12, and dreams of going to a university to be a teacher like her brother. At home, she likes to read books. For two years, Bopha has been experiencing a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing at night, sore throat, and fever. Her parents took her to a private clinic where they got medicine that did not help her to feel better. She has difficulty going to school and paying attention in class because she feels unwell and doesn't sleep well. Bopha was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Bopha, which is scheduled to take place on January 3rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Bopha of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Bopha said: "I hope after this operation I will feel good and will stop having a sore throat."