Sotheara lives with her parents, two sisters, and one brother. Her parents are rice farmers, and she attends the local school with her siblings. Her favorite subject at school is Khmer and English language and she would like to be a nurse when she grows up. At home, she likes to play with her sister, exercise, and eat fried eggs and soup with rice. For the past several years, Sotheara's mom has noticed she occasionally has discharge from a small hole in the front of her left ear. Regularly she suffers from, pain, swelling, itching, headache, and fever, which prevents her from attending school. Her parents are unable to pay for medication from the pharmacy to provide temporary relief. ENT specialists at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, have diagnosed her with a chronic pre-auricular pit sinus infection. This is a small hole or cyst just above the ear canal that some children are born with. The hole marks a sinus tract under the skin that’s in the wrong place. Most people don’t realize they have a sinus pit until they have an infection. On February 20th, Sotheara will have surgery to remove the sinus tract, and her parents need $297 to cover the cost of the procedure. After surgery, Sotheara will no longer have frequent infections or drainage from her left ear. Sotheara said, "I hope I will have no more pain, and the hole in my ear will be closed. I do not want to miss school."

Chhorn is a 68 year old resident of Phnom Penh City. He shares his home with his wife, three daughters, and two sons. His youngest daughter is currently pursuing her studies at a local university while residing with them. At home, Chhorn finds enjoyment in watching boxing on TV and engaging in regular exercise. However, Chhorn has been facing persistent challenges over the past few years due to chronic ear infections - called otitis media - in his right ear. This condition has led to right ear tinnitus, a feeling of fullness, and severe pain. Unfortunately, these issues have escalated in recent months, affecting his hearing and making communication, especially at his workplace, increasingly difficult. Despite seeking medical treatment, the problem persists. He feels that there is hope on the horizon, though, as skilled ENT experts from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, are able to help him get well again. Chhorn is scheduled for a myringotomy ear surgery on December 13th. Myringotomy involves making a small opening in the eardrum to drain the fluid and relieve the pressure from the middle ear. Sometimes a small tube is placed in the opening of the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear and to prevent fluid from accumulating. This procedure aims to address his ear issues and alleviate the associated symptoms, providing him with a renewed sense of well-being and improved communication abilities. Now, Chhorn needs your help with the cost of the $184 procedure. He shared: "I hope after surgery, I will have no more ear pain and can communicate better with my family and customers."

Jannifer is the second-born child in a family of two. She lost both her parents in a road traffic accident when she was four years old. She was the only survivor of the accident. After her parent's burial, she stayed with her grandmother in the village until she started having abdominal pains and was taken in by her aunt for proper care and support. The aunt is a single mother of 4 children aged 20 (twins),16 and 6. Beatrice, the aunt, separated from her husband, who does not render support so she works as a driver and uses her income to support the children. They live in a two-bedroom rented house with water and electricity. For four years, Jannifer has had abdominal pains originating from the umbilical region. This has affected her studies as she keeps missing school attendance. Jannifer has now been diagnosed with a hernia, and fortunately, she is eligible for surgery which can cure her condition. Her aunt looks forward to a successful surgery that would enable Jannifer to concentrate on her school. She said she could not wait to see Jennifer continue to excel in life as a loving and beautiful girl. Jannifer said, “I don’t like the pain because it hurts,” and Beatrice, her aunt said, "Kindly help my daughter because I want her to live happily.”