Chhai Ya is a friendly 6-year-old boy from Cambodia. He and his parents and older brother live in Kandal province; his parents are both construction workers. In school, he likes to hear stories from Khmer literature, and at home, he likes to play with his brother or jump rope. His favorite meal is ice cream. Chhai Ya's right foot was burned in a fire at home when he was nine months old. After the burn healed, the skin on his foot retracted and bent his toes. The joints have become partially dislocated, and it is painful, as well as very difficult for him to walk or run normally. Chhai Ya and his family traveled one and half hours to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) to seek treatment. On February 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily and keep up with his friends. His family has contributed $75 to the cost of the surgery, but needs help raising an additional $495 to fully fund his procedure and care. His mother said, "I hope Chhai Ya's foot will look better than before and he can walk and run like other children."

Lay is a 74-year-old grandfather from Kampong Cham province. He has been married for many years and has two daughters who are both married, and four grandchildren. Before Lay retired, he was a rice farmer with his wife. They are now supported by their daughters, who live nearby. At home, he likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and visit with his grandchildren. Three years ago, Lay developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision and pain. He is unable to go outside in the bright sun or travel far from home due to poor vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Lay learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for five and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 6th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Lay shared: "I am hoping after surgery I can finally see better and take care of myself."

Eang is a 59-year-old rice farmer from Kompong Cham province. He is married, with one son. At home, he enjoys listening to news on the radio and watching agriculture shows on TV. About ten years ago, Eang developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him tearing, itchiness, and irritation. He feels like there is always something in his eye and it is very uncomfortable. 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 and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Eang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and half hours seeking treatment. Eang 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 his procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 11th. Eang said, "I hope I will feel better and I can easily work on my rice farm."