Srey Neang is 18 years old and a twelfth-grade student from a small village in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia. She lives with her parents, who are rice farmers. She is the second of four siblings; her older brother works in a garment factory, while her two younger siblings are in school. She enjoys studying literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and she hopes to become a teacher in the future. In her free time, she likes listening to music and helping with housework. Her favorite food is spicy stir-fried chicken. Srey Neang has had scoliosis since she was 13 years old, a condition in which the spine curves abnormally to one side, often forming a “C” or “S” shape. As she has grown, the curve in her spine has progressively worsened and now bends toward the right side. This condition causes frequent pain and makes it difficult for her to sit for extended periods. Because of this, she struggles to concentrate in class and feels worried about being bullied by her classmates due to her appearance. She also experiences difficulty walking, which further affects her daily life. In the past, Srey Neang had not sought hospital treatment because her family could not afford the cost. Recently, a relative informed her family about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). On February 6th, surgeons at CSC will implant a metal “growing rod” into her spine to help correct the curve and allow for continued spinal growth. Her family can only afford to contribute $75 and needs help with the remaining $1,425. This will cover the costs of surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. Srey Neang's mother said, “After the surgery, I hope that Srey Neang will no longer have any pain so that she can do a good job at school and focus on her studies.”

Sakrorny is a 10-year-old third grader from Cambodia. He lives with his grandmother, a 60-year-old rice farmer, while his parents do labor work abroad to support the family. He has two younger siblings who live with his parents. He enjoys writing and reading, and in his free time, he likes playing football with his friends and eating fried chicken. In the future, he hopes to work in a big factory. In January, Sakrorny fell off a bike after hitting a stone on the road and injured his left leg. The following day, he developed swelling and pain and became unable to walk. X-rays revealed a bone fragment in his left leg, and he underwent surgery to remove it along with antibiotic cement spacer treatment. After surgery, he regained the ability to walk, although he still experiences some mild pain. He is now scheduled for a follow-up procedure to remove the spacer and undergo bone grafting to support further healing. Fortunately, on April 23rd, our medical partner, the Children's Surgical Centre, will assist Sakrorny in undergoing this procedure. This surgery will cost $600, and Sakrorny needs your support to fund the surgery. Sakrorny's aunt said, “After the first surgery, I was relieved that he could walk again, but it still worries me that he has some pain. I hope with time and proper care, he will fully recover, walk without pain, and live a normal, active life like other children.”

Akai is a four-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the third-born in a family of four children. Akai experiences misalignment of her legs, and due to financial challenges, she has not been able to receive treatment for her condition before. Akai's condition was not noticeable until she began walking. Her mother noticed her legs were bowed, which made it difficult for her to run and play comfortably, and has led to isolation from her peers. Her guardian shared that Akai is supposed to start school soon, but due to the stigmatization she has been facing, it might be difficult for her to do so until she receives treatment. Fortunately, Akai was able to connect with our medical partner's hospital for review and treatment. On May 21st, she will undergo surgery to correct her condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,224 to cover the cost of Akai's procedure and care. Akai's guardian said, "We will be grateful to see her walking like other children."