Channy is a 21-year-old university student from Pursat province, Cambodia. She is the middle child of three siblings. Her older brother sadly passed away two years ago, and her younger brother, age 18, works in a clothing factory. Her father is a security guard, and their mother stays home to manage the household. Channy is in her third year at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, majoring in Khmer literature. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and helping with household chores.
When Channy was 14, her parents took her to a clinic because they thought her back looked abnormal and she was in pain after sitting for long periods in school. At that time, she was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis - an abnormal curvature of the spine that appears in late childhood or adolescence - but her parents could not afford any further care for her. These symptoms interfere with her ability to focus on her studies and affect her participation in academic life. Additionally, she has faced discrimination from classmates due to her physical appearance, which has been challenging both emotionally and socially.
After a local clinic suggested she visit our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, Channy is scheduled to undergo surgery on August 11th. This surgery will correct her spinal deformity, relieve her pain, and restore her confidence. Channy’s family can contribute $100; they still need help raising $1,400 to cover the full cost, including the surgery, implants, hospitalization, post-operative care, and physiotherapy.
Channy said: “After the surgery, I hope that I will no longer have pain so that I can finish my degree. I hope this surgery will improve my back, and I can find a job to help my family.”