Nhem is a 77-year-old retired rice farmer from Kandal province. She is has been a widow for 40 years since her husband was killed by the Khmer Rouge. She lives with her daughter, who is also a farmer, and her three grandchildren. At home, she enjoys listening to the radio, especially when the monks pray, and she likes to visit the pagoda. For the last five months, Nhem's vision has been getting worse. She developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. In addition to being unable to travel to her favorite pagoda alone, she feels badly that she requires more assistance with daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning. When Nhem learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Nhem needs help raising $253 to fully fund this procedure. She said, "I hope that after the surgery, my eye will improve and I will be able to see better. I want to help my daughter with the children and the housework, and I want to join the ceremonies and go to the pagoda without any trouble."

Manet is a happy pre-schooler from Cambodia. He is five years old and attends a local preschool in Phnom Penh, where he lives with his parents and older sister. His dad is in the army, and his mom stays at home to look after the kids and assist older relatives. Manet loves fried eggs with toast, painting, and riding his bike up and down the street. Around two years ago, Manet started experiencing a persistent sore throat, and difficulty swallowing and sleeping at night. Frequent illness already causes him to miss school. Manet was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Manet, which is scheduled to take place on February 1st. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Manet of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. His mom shared, "I hope he can feel healthy again. It is very hard for him to always be sick and we want him to attend school every day."

Sok Noeun is a 22-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. She lives at home with her mother and four siblings in Kampong Speu province. She has one older sister and three younger brothers; her father is not in her life. Only she and her older sister have jobs, her other brothers aren't currently working. At home, she and her older sister help their mother with house cleaning and cooking. In November 2022, during a heavy rainstorm, Sok Noeun experienced an unfortunate incident when she lost control of her motorbike on her way home from work, resulting in a fractured right tibia. Her sister took her to a local clinic where she had surgery to secure the bone with metal plates and support healing. Now, the bone is united and she needs the hardware removed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 5th, Sok Noeun will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will remove the ache she still has in her leg. Sok Noeun believes that metal in the body can interfere with the flow of energy and cause health problems such as fatigue or joint pain. Sok Noeun said: "I hope after surgery I will have no pain or infection and my leg will be strong again."