Mongkul is a cheerful 5-year-old kindergarten student from Cambodia. He lives in Phnom Penh with his parents and three siblings, who are all still young students. His father works in a factory, and his mother runs a small grocery business to support the family. He is the third child in the family. He enjoys learning English at school, loves playing with toy cars and balls, and dreams of becoming a police officer when he grows up. For the past three years, Mongkul has been experiencing difficulty breathing at night, loud snoring, sleep apnea, difficulty swallowing, and frequent throat infections. His condition disturbs his sleep and causes discomfort at night. The frequent throat infections and swallowing difficulties also affect his comfort and overall health. Mongkul was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Mongkul, which is scheduled to take place on May 22nd. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Mongkul of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Mongkul's father said, “We are very thankful for this chance to help our son heal. We hope this surgery will help him breathe easily, sleep peacefully, and grow up healthy and happy like other children.”

Salorn is 44 years old and a mother of two from Cambodia. Her husband is a construction worker. Their oldest child is married, and the youngest is in Grade 5. In her free time, she enjoys watching the news on her phone and doing household chores. In 2018, Salorn developed right calcaneum osteomyelitis, a condition where bacteria penetrate the bone tissue and bone marrow, often involving the surrounding soft tissues. She experiences constant pain, discharge, and difficulty walking, requiring a crutch to maintain balance. Her condition has limited her mobility and ability to work. She visited a hospital in Vietnam, where doctors recommended surgery, but she could not afford the cost. Salorn was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where she underwent several surgeries in 2020. For a time, she was able to walk and move more comfortably again. However, a year ago, the pain returned, and her condition worsened. Again, Salorn traveled to CSC for four hours seeking treatment. On March 18th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to relieve pain, remove infected tissue, and restore her ability to walk and return to work. Now, Salorn needs help to fund this $412 procedure. Salorn said, “After the surgery, I truly hope that I can finally walk without pain again, regain my strength, and return to work so I can better support my family and give my youngest child a brighter future.”

Key is a hardworking 30-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Oddar Meanchey province with his parents, who are rice farmers supporting a large family. He is the third of six siblings. Some of his brothers and sisters work in factories, while others help with farming. Despite financial challenges, the family works together to earn income and support one another. In his free time, he helps his parents with farm work and enjoys listening to music on the radio. Five months ago, Key fell on a slippery road during heavy rain, causing a serious injury and paralysis to his right arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his 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. He was first treated at the provincial hospital, where he underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery for a humerus fracture. Although the surgery stabilized the bone, he continues to experience significant pain, weakness, and an inability to lift his right arm properly. This limits his ability to perform daily tasks and prevents him from working effectively as a farmer. He also sought Khmer traditional medicine treatment, which reduced some pain, but his arm function has not fully returned. Key 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 March 3rd, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will regain the ability to perform daily activities and return to farming work more independently. Key can contribute $100 toward his care, but our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, needs $637 more to fund the procedure and his care. Key said with hope, “Even though the pain is better now, my arm is still weak and I cannot use it normally. I truly hope that with proper treatment, I will regain my strength and be able to work and live independently again.”