Chhorn is a 64-year-old vegetable seller from Cambodia. She is married and lives with her husband and youngest child, who works as a chef. Her six children are all married and living with their own families in other provinces. To support her family, she sells vegetables at a local market. In her free time, she enjoys planting vegetables around her home. Ten months ago, Chhorn slipped and fell from a bed, causing a fracture of her right forearm. After the injury, she underwent surgery at a private hospital, where doctors inserted hardware into her right radius to stabilize the fracture and help it heal properly. Although the fracture has healed, she continues to experience pain when lifting, carrying, or grasping heavy objects. She also has occasional stiffness in her right arm, which makes it difficult to perform some daily activities and work comfortably as a vegetable seller. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 12th, Chhorn will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help reduce her pain and stiffness, improve the function of her right arm, and allow her to lift and carry objects more comfortably. This treatment will help her return to her daily activities and work with greater ease. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $278 more to fund her procedure and care. Chhorn said, “I hope this surgery will relieve the pain and stiffness in my arm. I want to be able to lift and carry things comfortably again and return to my daily activities without discomfort. I am very grateful for the opportunity to receive this treatment.”

Christie is a four-year-old girl from Haiti, who lives with her parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in preschool, and is learning to read. She loves dressing up and playing with her friends. Christie has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels next to her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Christie will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 13th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device on the end of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for surgery. Christie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Christie's family overseas. Christie's mother says: "Our family is so thankful that our daughter has this chance to travel and to get her heart healed!"

Vy is a 76-year-old retired rice farmer from Prey Veng province. She is a widow, as her husband died due to lung disease. She has one son, six daughters and ten grandchildren. Now, Vy lives with her youngest daughter, who works as a garment factory worker. She enjoy to listen to the monks' sermons on the radio in her free time. About three years ago, Vy developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and severely blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Vy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On March 16th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $263 to fund this procedure. Vy said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, so I can easily recognize my relatives and go far places on my own. I also look forward to going to ceremonies at the pagoda."