PengEang is an 11-year-old student in grade four from Cambodia. He and his family come from Mondulkiri province, approximately five and a half hours from the capital of Phnom Penh. PengEang has one sister and two brothers. His father is a pepper farmer and his mother stays home to care for the children. PengEang enjoys mathematics and playing badminton. PengEang would like to be a policeman when he grows up. About a year ago, PengEang fell hard on a tile floor while playing with his brothers and fractured his left elbow. He had surgery with implants to stabilize the bones to heal the fracture. The fracture has healed, but PengEang still feels chronic low-level pain in his elbow. The hardware is uncomfortable and it is difficult for him to extend and flex his elbow. He would like the hardware removed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 2nd, PengEang will undergo a hardware removal procedure which will cost $304. The hardware removal will help him heal completely and complete the rehabilitation of his arm. PengEang's mother said, "We hope my son will no longer have pain, and he can be healthy after the metal is removed from his elbow."

Moriya is a 3-year-old toddler from Cambodia. She lives in Prey Veng province with her parents, grandmother, and 8-year-old brother. Both her mom and dad work in nearby clothing factories. Moriya's grandmother helps look after the children while her parents are at work. At home, Moriya likes running around the village with other kids, and eating fried noodles. On September 13, 2023, Moriya accidentally burned her left hand at home. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burn. It is difficult for her to use her left hand due to the contractures, including playing with toys and carrying objects. When Moriya's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 6th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve her hand function. She and her family need help to fund this $495 procedure. Her dad shared "I want her fingers to straighten out, so that I won't worry about her development and her future."

Sonita lives in Takeo province with her parents, brother, and aunt. Her parents and brother are rice farmers, and her aunt stays home to care for the house. Sonita has two other siblings who have married and left home. At home, she likes to read books or help cook for the family. A year and a half ago, Sonita was in a motorbike accident and injured her right leg. As she and her family could not afford the surgery, she has been suffering from chronic pain in her right knee, has difficulty walking, and working in the factory. Sonita and her mother traveled for two and a half hours to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where she was diagnosed with a poorly healed tibia fracture with varus malunion. This occurs when a fractured bone heals in an abnormal position. On April 25th, doctors will perform an osteotomy, where the bone is cut or rebroken at or near the site of the original fracture, and then restored to its correct anatomical alignment. Sonita and her family are able to contribute $100 but need help to raise an additional $369 to fund the cost of the procedure. Sonita said, "I hope this operation will fix my leg so I can find a good job and have no pain."