Chea is a 57-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her free time. Five years ago, Chea developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her irritation, burning, photophobia, and blurry vision. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Chea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. Chea 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 $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 6th. "I hope that the tearing and burning will stop, and I will be able to recognize things and return to my work," Chea said.

Neth is a 17-month-old boy from Cambodia. He has three older brothers and enjoys playing with his toys. Five months ago Neth's left hand was accidentally burned in a fire. The scar tissue from the burn has caused a skin contracture that prevents him from using three of his fingers on that hand. The tightened skin on his left hand causes him discomfort and he is unable to grasp objects as he should be able to do at his age. When Neth's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On June 5th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to release the skin so he can regain use of his hand and be free of discomfort. Now, he needs help to fund this $477 procedure. His mom says, "I am worried about the condition of his hand if he has to grow up with it this way. We have tried other hospitals but they can not help so I am happy this surgery can be done here."

Sarorn is a 33-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is the first born of four siblings, and enjoys watching television, listening to music, and reading books in her free time. Two months ago, Sarorn had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Sarorn experiences tinnitus and hearing loss. She cannot communicate well among her family members and finds it difficult to go about her daily activities because of the pain. Sarorn traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 3rd, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope that after my surgery is complete, my ear drum will heal and I will be able to hear clearly again," she shared.