Reaksa is 14 years old and a 10th grader from Cambodia. She is the only child in her family and lives with her parents. Her father works as a chef in a restaurant, while her mother works as a cleaner. She enjoys studying Khmer literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and hopes to become a teacher in the future. In her free time, she likes drawing and listening to music. Her favorite foods are sour fish soup and fried vegetables. Around the age of 10, Reaksa's mother first noticed that her daughter’s back was becoming curved. Over the years, the curvature gradually worsened. She now has severe scoliosis, with her spine bending significantly toward the right side and associated kyphosis. Her condition has begun to affect her daily life. She has difficulty walking and sitting for long periods, and the discomfort she experiences while sitting makes it difficult for her to concentrate in class. Despite these challenges, she continues to attend school and work toward her dream of becoming a teacher. Until now, her family has not been able to afford the treatment she needs. Her family learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), through social media and sought treatment. On August 18th, she will undergo posterior spinal fusion (PSF) from T3 to L3, a surgical procedure that uses instrumentation to correct and stabilize the curved portion of her spine. She needs help of $1,500 to help cover the costs of her surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. The surgery aims to improve the alignment of her spine and prevent the severe curvature from progressing further. Reaksa's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help manage my daughter’s severe spinal deformity, improve her comfort and posture, and allow her to stay active and continue her studies and daily activities. I want her to feel more confident and comfortable as she grows.”

Moa is a 53-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Thom Province with his wife, who is also a rice farmer. They have two adult children: their daughter is a rice farmer, and their son works in a factory. In his free time, he enjoys caring for his rice fields and removing weeds. In January 2025, Moa injured his left knee after being struck by the gear stick of a tractor and later slipping, causing a left tibial tubercle fracture. He underwent surgery with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where doctors performed open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using screws and cerclage wire to stabilize the fracture. His fracture has healed well, and he has regained normal knee movement and walking. However, the metal hardware is no longer needed and should be removed to complete his treatment and help prevent future irritation or discomfort. On July 7th, Moa will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will safely remove the screws and cerclage wire, allowing him to continue his daily activities and farming without concerns related to the implants. He can contribute $100, but needs help raising $278 more to fund his procedure and care. Moa said, “I’m happy my knee has healed well. I hope this surgery will remove the metal safely so I can continue working and living without any worries.”

Yadesa is an 80-year-old man from Ethiopia. He is a retired merchant who spent his life working hard and building an independent life. Since the deeply sad loss of his beloved wife, he has found comfort and support by moving in with one of his two brothers. One year ago, Yadesa developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and burning sensation. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. For a man who spent his whole life actively connecting with the world through buying and selling, this slow darkening of his sight is truly heartbreaking. It has made it incredibly hard for him to talk and spend time with his loved ones, enjoy the world around him, and hold onto the dignity and independence that have always defined who he is. Fortunately, Yadesa is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Yadesa shared, "I hope to regain the independence I so deeply miss, allowing me to navigate my home and enjoy the company of my brother with newfound ease and confidence."