Srey Nith is a 21-month-old girl who lives in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia, with her parents, younger sister, and grandparents. Her mother works in a factory, and her father is a construction worker. Her grandparents help care for her and her older sister. Since birth, Srey Nith has had a zygoma or a large, dark birthmark on her left cheek and cheekbone. She underwent her first partial excision when she was six months old at a provincial hospital, but her family could not afford further surgeries. Because of the size of the birthmark and its location, Srey Nith's mother worries that she will feel uncomfortable about her appearance, and could be stigmatized by other children when she starts to attend pre-school. Srey Nith and her parents sought help from our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). On June 13th, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the lesion on her left cheek. Srey Nith and her family are able to contribute $75 but need help to raise $198 more to fund this procedure and post-operative care. Srey Nith's mother shared, "I hope my daughter will feel comfortable with her appearance, and not face bullying from other children."

Reaksmey is a 10-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and his three-year-old brother in Kandal province. His mother works in a clothing factory, while his father repairs motorbikes at the corner of the main street in their village. Reaksmey is currently in Grade 2, and his favorite subject is Mathematics. He wants to join the army when he grows up. At home, he likes to eat egg fried rice and he enjoys playing with his younger brother. Three years ago, Reaksmey developed an ear infection. The infection caused a cholesteatoma, an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. Consequently, Reaksmey started experiencing recurrent ear pain, poor hearing, and ear canal swelling. He finds it difficult to communicate with others, especially in class, and he is frequently absent from school due to the pain in his ear. Reaksmey traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 23rd, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear, where ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Reaksmey's family is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $826 more to fund the procedure. Reaksmey's mother says: "I hope that the surgery will improve his hearing, and we will not need to worry about it getting worse in the future."

Brok is a 60-year-old grandmother. She and her husband are rice farmers from Prey Veng province, three and a half hours from the capital of Phnom Penh. They have two daughters and three young grandchildren. Brok works long hours outside in the bright sun, while one of her daughters stays home to manage the house and watch the children. At home, she enjoys watching Khmer dramas on the television. About a year ago, Brok developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurred vision and difficulty seeing in low or bright light. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. This vision loss can make it difficult for older adults to engage in social activities, watch television, or even recognize faces, which can lead to isolation and loneliness. When Brok learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 6th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Brok can contribute $50 but needs help to raise $203 more to fund her procedure. Brok said: "I feel bad because it is hard to see when I go out and I can’t go to plant rice. I hope after my operation I can go outside again to help my family."