Mattana is an only child and lives with her parents in Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. Her parents are rice farmers. She enjoys watching TV and eating homemade soup prepared by her mother. Mattana was born with cerebral palsy, which affects her ability to move around and requires her to use a wheelchair. Cerebral palsy can make muscles and tendons tight. This tightness shortens the muscles and tendons over time. It can cause pain and create abnormalities in the tendons and muscles, affecting mobility. Using a wheelchair also increases her risk of pressure sores on her skin. In addition to her mobility challenges, she has a learning disability, is primarily non-verbal, and does not attend school. Because Mattana's condition is difficult to treat, she was referred by a national children's hospital to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Surgeons have determined that she would benefit from correction of her muscle spasticity - the abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle. This will eventually help her to stand and walk. On March 5th, Mattana will undergo an ankle, calf, hamstring, and Achilles tendon lengthening. Mattana's parents now need help with the cost of the $572 procedure. After surgery, they hope she can increase her range of motion, reduce pain, and make sitting, standing, and walking more comfortable. Mattana's mother said: "I hope my daughter feels better after surgery and can go to school like other children."

Phyu is a 32-year-old mother of three from Thailand. She resides with her family in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp along the Thai-Burma border where she also teaches at the camp school. During her free time, Phyu enjoys spending quality time with her family. Since August 2023, Phyu has been experiencing pain in her abdomen, pelvis, and lower back, along with irregular menstruation. She has been diagnosed with left ovarian cyst, and has been advised to undergo a hysterectomy, which surgically removes of her uterus and ovaries. If left untreated, Phyu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Phyu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on February 23rd. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Phyu will be relieved of her pain and able to resume her daily activities. Phyu said, “With my current condition, I cannot teach my students, do household chores for my children, or assist my husband. I am looking forward to a complete recovery soon."

Ly is a one-year-old girl from Cambodia. Ly's father is a farmer and her mother stays home to care for Ly and her two older siblings. Ly enjoys eating noodle soup, and likes to play with toys. Ly was born with polydactyly of both feet. This means that she has an extra toe on each foot. If the extra toes are not removed, it will become difficult for her to use her feet as she grows older and she could feel uncomfortable around others. Fortunately, on April 22nd, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra toe. Ly's family is able to contribute $100 but our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, needs an additional $199 to fund this procedure. After surgery, she will be able to walk easier and her parents will not worry about other children making fun of her feet. Ly’s mother shared, "I hope she will be able to have normal feet just like other kids when she grows up."