Heang is five years old and a first-grader from Cambodia. He is the middle of three children and lives with his parents in Kampot Province. His father works as a grocery seller, while his mother stays home to care for the children and manage the household. He enjoys reading and writing Khmer, watching cartoons, and playing with his little sister. He especially likes vegetable-filled soups. When Heang was two years old, he burned his left hand in a fire while his family was having a barbecue. He received treatment at a private clinic, but the injury later healed with scar tissue that gradually caused contractures in his left index and middle fingers. The tight scars restrict movement in his left index and middle fingers, making it difficult for him to fully straighten them. This may also affect his ability to grasp and hold objects comfortably with his left hand. When Heang's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On September 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to give his affected fingers more flexibility and improve how he can move his left hand. This may make it easier for him to hold objects, play, and take part in everyday activities as he continues to grow. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Heang's mother said, “I hope the surgery will help my son straighten and move his fingers more easily. I want him to be able to hold things with both hands, play with other children, and enjoy his childhood without his hand limiting him.”

Simeng is an eight-year-old Grade 4 student from Cambodia. She lives in Svay Rieng Province with her parents, who both work in garment factories, and a younger brother who attends kindergarten. Simeng enjoys studying Khmer, and dreams of becoming a nurse in future. In December 2025, Simeng was involved in a road traffic accident that caused a fracture on her left elbow. She underwent surgery at a hospital in Vietnam, where doctors stabilized the fracture with metal pins because her family lives near the Cambodia–Vietnam border. The fracture has healed well, and she has regained full movement and normal function of her left arm. She has returned to her daily activities, and the metal pins can now be safely removed as the final step in her treatment. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 13th, Simeng will undergo a surgical hardware removal procedure, which will cost $378. The surgery will remove the metal pins from her left elbow, completing her recovery and allowing her to continue using her arm comfortably for school, play, and daily activities. Simeng's father said, “I am grateful my daughter’s arm has healed. I hope removing the implants will complete her recovery, so she can continue growing up healthy and active.”

Chanthy is a 57-year-old mother of four from Cambodia. She has been divorced since 1996 and has four children, all of whom are married and live in nearby villages. She lives with her eldest child, who works as a high school teacher. In her free time, she enjoys planting vegetables and looking after her grandchild. In May 2026, Chanthy sustained a fracture-dislocation of her right hip in a motor vehicle accident. She was a passenger on a motorcycle when it collided with a car, causing her to be thrown from the vehicle and injure her right hip. The injury has caused significant pain and difficulty with movement. She is unable to walk normally and struggles to perform daily activities independently, making her reliant on family members for assistance. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 11th, Chanthy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will realign and stabilize her hip, helping to relieve pain, restore mobility, and improve her ability to walk and perform daily activities independently. She can contribute $100, but needs help raising $500 more to fund her procedure and care. Chanthy stated, “After the surgery, I hope that my pain will be relieved and that I will be able to move and walk again. I hope to regain my independence and return to my normal daily activities.”