Heak is 60 years old and a hardworking rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her niece, who is a Grade 12 student. She is the seventh of ten siblings, all of whom are married. Her parents passed away during the Khmer Rouge era. Despite many hardships in life, she continues to support herself through rice farming. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and helping with household chores. In 2024, Heak was involved in an overturned car accident while traveling in Thailand, resulting in a severe fracture of her left femur near the knee. Although she underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture, the bone failed to heal properly and developed into a nonunion, causing ongoing pain in her left knee and leg. Heak experiences persistent pain and stiffness in her left knee, making it difficult to walk without support. The condition limits her independence, affects her ability to work in the rice fields, and makes everyday activities challenging. Fortunately, Heak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought treatment. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Heak of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for June 1st. Heak can contribute $100, but needs help raising $1,213 more for her procedure and care. Heak said, “I hope this treatment will help me walk without support again and live without pain. Being able to move independently would mean so much to me and allow me to return to my normal life.”

Amriya is a seven-year-old girl from Ethiopia. Being the youngest of five children, this young student grew up in a lively home, surrounded by her three older brothers and her sister. With her mother managing the household and her father working as a driver, she was raised in a busy, loving environment. Since she was just one year old, Amriya has suffered from chronic tonsillitis. This persistent health struggle has become a major roadblock to her early education. Because the illness brings frequent, painful episodes, she often misses precious days in the classroom. When she is in school, the lingering discomfort makes it incredibly hard for her to concentrate on her lessons. Just as she should be building her academic foundation, she is forced to fight this constant, exhausting battle with her health. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Amriya, which is scheduled to take place on May 23rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Amriya of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Amriya's parents shared, "Our greatest hope is for our youngest daughter to finally enjoy a healthy, normal childhood where she can focus on learning without the constant shadow of illness holding her back."

Phally is 61 years old and a widow from a rural area in Kandal province, Cambodia. She lives with her eldest child, who works as a breakfast seller in a small booth. Her husband passed away nine years ago, and she has relied on her own strength and the support of her children since then. She is the mother of five children, all of whom are now married and living in nearby villages. Seven days ago, Phally was involved in a road accident when another motorcycle collided with hers, causing her to fall to the ground. She sustained a left femoral neck fracture, resulting in severe hip pain and an inability to walk or bear weight on her left leg. After the accident, she went to a private clinic where X-rays confirmed the fracture and surgery was recommended. However, she could not afford the cost of treatment. Later, a relative who knew about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), advised her to come for further evaluation and care. On February 18th, surgeons will perform a left hip hemi-arthroplasty procedure, which will relieve her pain, restore strength and mobility in her hip, and allow her to walk and carry out daily activities independently. She can afford to pay $100, and needs help raising $612 more to fund her procedure and care. Phally said, “After the surgery, I hope my hip will be strong again, so I can walk without pain and return to my daily activities. I want to be independent and not rely on others for everything.”