Vibol is an 18-year-old gasoline attendant from Cambodia. He has one younger sister. His father works a motor taxi driver and his mother is a housewife. In his free time, he enjoys meeting his friends to play football or volleyball and listening to music. A year ago, Vibol was in a motor vehicle crash where he fractured his left tibia. He had surgery at a local government hospital where a plate and screws were placed to help the fracture heal. Now that the fracture site has healed, he has full function of his leg, however it is uncomfortable for him to have hardware in his leg and he needs it removed to limit the risk of infection. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On September 16th, Vibol will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $230. During the procedure, surgeons will remove the hardware that has caused him discomfort. Vibol shared that he hopes the hardware will be easy to remove and the wound will heal quickly so he can return to work and do the things he enjoys.

Oun is an elderly widow. She shared with us that her husband, unfortunately, passed away ten years ago so she lives with her rice farming niece and several grandchildren. She is also the proud mother of a son who works in Thailand. She cannot work due to her age and poor vision, thus she stays home and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Oun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and difficulty seeing well in low light. It is also difficult for her to see things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Oun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Oun optimistically says, "I hope my eye can see clearly after surgery. I can see my grandchildren's faces clearly and can visit our pagoda in town."

Taw is a 43-year-old teacher who lives with her family in the refugee camp. Taw and her husband work at the same school and their daughter is also enrolled there in the nursery program. In her free time, Taw enjoys singing and reading with her students. Taw also loves to grow vegetables around her house, and she is very proud that the vegetables she grows are organic. Growing her own vegetables also helps to reduce her household expenses. Last month, Taw was walking home with a branch from a banana tree she had just cut down to cook for dinner. That afternoon it was drizzling and the dirt road was slippery. Taw slipped and fell onto her left arm, breaking both bones in her left forearm. With the help of Watsi donors, she underwent surgery to insert a metal rod into her forearm at the end of August at Chiang Mai Hospital. A few days after her surgery, Taw's wound got an infection and the doctor had to perform another surgery to remove the rod from her arm. Once the infection cleared up with the help of antibiotics, the doctor scheduled another surgery to have the rod reinserted into Taw's arm to finally help her heal. Taw’s left arm is still in pain. She is in pain whenever she sits down, and the pain increases when she moves her arm. If she lies down and puts her left arm on a pillow, she feels better. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Taw will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for September 7th and will cost $1,500. After the procedure, Taw will no longer be in pain and she will be able to go back home and see her family. She will be able to teach again and garden like before. Taw said, "I really miss my family and my daughter. I hope that I will receive proper treatment and be able to go back home again soon."