Sotheary is a cheerful nine-year-old girl from Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. She is the second of four children and lives with her parents, siblings, and two grandmothers. Her parents are farmers, and her mother also sells Khmer cakes to help support the family. She enjoys mathematics at school and dreams of becoming a teacher. In her free time, she likes playing with her friends, and her favorite meal is vegetable stir-fry.
Sotheary was born with a cleft lip and palate, which was repaired when she was a baby. However, there is still a gap in her upper gum where teeth should be. Without further treatment, her permanent teeth may not grow properly, and she could struggle with chewing, speaking, and smiling confidently.
Doctors at our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, explained that Sotheary now needs an alveolar bone graft. This surgery will place bone into the gap in her upper gum, providing support for her teeth to grow in correctly. For Sotheary, this procedure is an important step toward a healthy smile and the confidence to speak and eat without difficulty. She has started to feel insecure about her appearance, and her parents hope this surgery will improve her confidence. Her family cannot afford the $665 cost of the procedure and needs support to cover the surgery and post-operative care.
Sotheary’s mother said, “I hope this surgery will help my daughter’s teeth grow properly so she can eat, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. We just want her to feel happy and confident as she grows up and follows her dream of becoming a teacher.”

