Penh is a loving grandmother from Kandal province. With three sons and one daughter, she has lived with her youngest son and his family since a divorce from her husband forty years ago. Formerly a farmer cultivating vegetables and rice, she is now trying to enjoy her retirement. Her days are occupied with looking after her grandchildren and preparing meals for the family. Occasionally, she finds comfort in visiting the nearby pagoda to listen to the monks chant. About four years ago, Penh developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her distress, as she struggles with the inability to see, do housework, or participate in the ceremonies at the pagoda. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Penh learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Penh needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 2nd. Penh shared: "I feel bad because I cannot see and cannot take care of myself or do housework. I hope I can be better after my operation."

Chea is a 22-year-old from Cambodia who is eager to start working again. He lives in Phnom Penh province with his sister and her husband, who are drink sellers outside the local vegetable market. Before his motorbike accident, he worked as a carpenter's assistant and enjoyed playing football. Now, he just stays home. In August 2022, Chea was in a traffic accident and fractured the mid-shaft of his right femur in his leg. He went to a local trauma hospital and had metalwork inserted into his femur to support healing. He has a constant ache in the leg and hopes that after the removal of the metal, he can complete rehabilitation of his leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 9th, Chea will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. In the future, he hopes to be able to find work after removing the metal from his leg. Chea said: "I want to make sure my leg is strong so I can find work again, and have no infection and no pain."

Dalin is joyful sixth grader from Cambodia. She lives with her mom and younger brother. Sadly, her dad passed away few years ago. Dalin enjoys all her classes at school and wants to be a teacher when she grows up. In her free time, she likes to read books, eat Cambodian soup, and play with her friends. When Dalin was one year old, she accidentally burned her fingers with hot soup at home. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burns. She is unable to use her left hand and has difficulty playing games with her friends and holding objects. When Dalin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On February 19th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore function in her hand. Now, she needs $495 to fund this procedure. Dalin says, "I just want to be able to use my hand and fingers so I can play and not feel shy at school."