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.”

Vorleak is an 18-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives in Preah Vihear Province with her parents, who work as rice farmers. She is the eldest of three siblings and is preparing to attend university soon. Her younger brother is in Grade 7, and her younger sister is in Grade 5. She enjoys reading books and listening to music. Two months ago, Vorleak was involved in a road traffic accident that resulted in a severe injury to the nerves of her right arm, causing weakness and loss of function. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. She is unable to use her right arm and hand normally due to weakness and paralysis affecting her shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers. The condition has significantly limited her ability to perform daily activities independently and has prevented her from attending university. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Vorleak traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On June 11th, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, she will regain independence in daily activities and increase her ability to pursue her education and future goals. Her family can contribute $25, but needs help to raise $712 to fund her procedure and care. Vorleak said, “I hope that after the surgery, my right arm and hand function will improve, allowing me to carry out daily activities independently and prepare for university.”

Neary is a resilient widow and devoted mother of two from Cambodia. She is a 52-year-old grocery seller from Pursat Province who lives with her daughter. Her husband passed away six years ago due to an illness. She has two children—her son is a police officer, and her daughter is a teacher. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and planting vegetables around her home. In 2022, Neary was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused a fracture of her left femur. After the accident, she received treatment at a clinic in Pursat Province, where doctors performed internal fixation surgery and implanted hardware to stabilize the fracture. In 2023, after a proximal screw broke, she underwent another procedure to remove the broken screw and replace it with a new one. She is now experiencing lower back pain, pain in her left leg, difficulty walking, and occasional stiffness. The non-union of her left femur has affected her mobility and causes discomfort that makes daily activities and running her grocery-selling work difficult. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 26th, Neary will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will remove the problematic top screw and use bone grafting to promote proper healing of the fracture. It will help reduce pain, improve stability, and allow her to walk more comfortably and independently again. Neary can contribute $100, but needs help raising $278 more to fund her procedure and care. Neary said, “After the surgery, I hope that my pain will be relieved and that I will be able to walk comfortably again. I hope to recover well and return to my normal daily activities without difficulty. I am very thankful to the doctors and everyone who is helping make my treatment possible.”