Sokhom is a 71-year-old Khmer bamboo handicrafter from Kampot province, Cambodia. He is married and has three sons, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. He lives with his wife, who works as a rice farmer in their rural community. In his free time, Sokhom enjoys listening to the news and educational programs on his small radio. About a year ago, Sokhom developed a cataract in his right eye due to old age. This caused itching, tearing, and severe blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, making it feel like looking through a frosted or fogged-up window. Because of this, Sokhom has difficulty seeing clearly, including colors and faces, and he worries about falling when walking, so he cannot go places independently. When Sokhom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled three hours to seek treatment. On February 2nd, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in his right eye; a procedure during which the cataract is removed and a new intraocular lens is permanently inserted in its place. After recovery, he hopes to see clearly again. Sokhom can contribute $12.50 to his care, but needs help to raise $251 more. Sokhom said, “I hope after the surgery, my eye can see well, I can continue my job, and can go far on my own.”

Reaksa is an 11-year-old student from Cambodia. He is the oldest of two children and lives with his parents and younger brother in Kampong Chhnang Province. His parents work as rice farmers to support the family. He is currently in Grade 6 and enjoys studying mathematics. In his free time, he likes watching football and sometimes plays as a goalkeeper with his friends. His favorite meal is fish and vegetable sour soup. Reaksa has had a condition affecting his right leg since he started walking. It is due to a congenital tightness, which has gradually affected the movement and alignment of his lower limb. The condition has caused pain in his right knee and hip, an abnormal gait, and difficulty squatting or sitting cross-legged. It affects his ability to walk comfortably and participate in normal daily and school activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Reaksa receive treatment. On June 4th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to improve his leg movement, reduce pain, and help him walk more normally. Now, he needs help to fund this $572 procedure. Reaksa's mother said, “It has been very worrying to see my son in pain, especially as he has difficulty walking and doing simple daily activities. I just hope he can get the right treatment and recover soon.”

Ra is a 68-year-old man from Siem Reap province in Cambodia. He and his wife have two children. His wife sells biscuits, their eldest child is a grocery seller, and their youngest is a car repairer. In his free time, Ra helps his wife with household and work-related tasks. In 2019, Ra began experiencing pain in his right hip due to avascular necrosis, a condition in which bone tissue dies due to a lack of blood supply, which caused a structural failure of his hip ball joint. Ra underwent a total hip replacement through our medical partner, Children's Surgical Center (CSC), at that time. However, over the past year, his pain has returned, and walking has become difficult. His x-ray showed that some of the acetabular cup and femoral stem (components from his hip replacement surgery) have come loose, leaving him unable to walk comfortably or perform daily activities. Ra was referred back to CSC for treatment. On April 8th, he will undergo a revision hip replacement procedure on his right hip. This surgery will stabilize the hip, relieve his pain, and restore his mobility. Ra was able to contribute $100 to his care and is requesting assistance to raise the remaining $1,400 to cover the cost of prosthesis, surgery, medications, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. Roth said, "I had a hip replacement in 2019, but over the past year, the pain has returned, and it's become difficult for me to walk. I hope further treatment will fix the problem and help me move comfortably again."