Liza is a ten-year-old student from Cambodia. She is from Battambang province and is the middle child of three siblings. Her 15-year-old brother dropped out of school last year and now works as a cleaner. Her younger sister, who is eight, is in grade three. Liza’s parents divorced two years ago, and she currently lives with her mother, who sells groceries to support the family. Liza is in grade five, and her favorite subject is Khmer history. She dreams of becoming a nurse when she grows up. In her free time, she enjoys playing outdoor games with her friends in the village. Her favorite dish is lemongrass sour soup.
When she was four years old, Liza was shocked by electricity on her left hand. The injury caused a wound on her palm and her 4th finger. Her parents could not afford care at the provincial clinic, and visited a Khmer traditional healer for care. Subsequently, she developed a contracture in her hand and finger. The contracture makes it difficult for her to grasp objects. She feels embarrassed and ashamed about the appearance of her hand.
Liza traveled five hours to reach our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre. On September 5th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to remove the contracture in her finger, making it easier to hold objects and give her confidence to use her hand without feeling shy about her appearance. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure.
Liza’s mother said: “I hope that my daughter’s finger can look like the other children, and she can use her hand well.”

