Sarom is a 52-year-old widow from Cambodia, who works as a rice and vegetable farm laborer in Kandal province. Her husband passed away six years ago, and she now lives alone. She has two sons and one daughter with no grandchildren; her oldest son works as a company laborer, while her other two children are still students. In her free time, she enjoys listening to monks chanting through her phone. Five years ago, Sarom developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Sarom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Sarom needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $298. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for August 4th. Sarom says: "After a successful surgery, I look forward to my vision greatly improving, so I can easily return to work and no longer worry about my eyes."

Nuth is a three-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives with her parents, who are cashew farmers, and an older sister who is in Grade 2. She enjoys playing with toys with her sister and likes fish sour soup and fried chicken. In December 2023, when she was eight months old, Nuth was accidentally burned by a fire on a cashew farm. She was initially treated with dressings and follow-up care, but after the burn healed, scar tissue formed around her right wrist, causing a contracture. This has limited her wrist's movement and has made it harder for her to use her right hand. When Nuth's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On September 16th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to loosen the tight scar around her right wrist and help improve her wrist movement, making it easier for her to use her right hand as she grows and plays. Now, Nuth's family needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Her mother said, “I hope the surgery will loosen the scar around my daughter’s wrist so she can move her hand more freely. She is still very young, and I want her to grow up able to use both hands comfortably when she plays, learns, and does things for herself.”

Poeurt is a 43-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who manages household tasks and cares for their two children. His first child is in Grade 8, and his second child is in Grade 6. He earns a living by growing rice and lotus. In his free time, he enjoys feeding and caring for his chickens and cows. In 2018, Poeurt had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Poeurt experiences hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a history of chronic ear discharge caused by chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). The condition affects his ability to hear and communicate clearly with his family and others. His hearing difficulties make daily communication harder and may affect his ability to work comfortably on his farm. Poeurt traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 16th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for help to fund this procedure. Poeurt can contribute $100, but needs help raising $263 more. Poeurt said, “I hope this surgery will improve my hearing and stop the problems with my ear. I want to work on my farm, communicate with my family more easily, and live my daily life without worrying about my hearing.”