Roem is a 25-year-old construction worker from Prey Veng province. Roem shares a home with his mother, his elderly grandmother, and his three siblings - one brother, and two sisters. Most of the family farms rice or works in local clothing factories. Last August, Roem was riding his motorbike, when he collided with a trailer that was being towed by another motorbike. The collision resulted in significant injuries, particularly to Roem's right forearm, which was fractured, along with his wrist. The local clinic where his parents took him asked for $800 to do surgery, a price beyond their means, so the family traveled three hours to seek help from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Roem underwent an open reduction internal fixation of his right radial fracture, and several metacarpal bones. However, subsequent complications, including persistent infections, necessitate the removal of the hardware that was placed during the initial surgery. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $304 to defray the cost of the hardware removal procedure, which is scheduled for January 8th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. This procedure should eliminate infections at the surgical site, and facilitate the ongoing healing process of Roem's bones. Roem said: "I hope the infection goes away and my hand is better, so I can go back to construction work to help my family."

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."

Naw Sha is a 33-year-old mother who lives with her husband, daughter, sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, two nieces, and nephew in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Originally from Karen State, Burma, she fled to Thailand with her family in 2012 due to armed conflict. Currently, she and her sister-in-law are homemakers, while her daughter, nieces and nephew go to school in the refugee camp. Her husband and her brothers-in-law are day laborers. During her free time, Naw Sha enjoys cooking, spending time with her daughter, nieces and nephew, and teaching them Burmese. Naw Sha is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section (C-section) because of her high-risk pregnancy. By delivering with a C-section, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is helping Naw Sha undergo a C-Section on December 8th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Sha needs your support in raising money to fund her care. Naw Sha said, “In the future, if I had an opportunity, I would like to work with a health organization in the refugee camp as a nurse to earn more money to support my family."