Reaksa is 14 years old and a 10th grader from Cambodia. She is the only child in her family and lives with her parents. Her father works as a chef in a restaurant, while her mother works as a cleaner. She enjoys studying Khmer literature, which is her favorite subject at school, and hopes to become a teacher in the future. In her free time, she likes drawing and listening to music. Her favorite foods are sour fish soup and fried vegetables. Around the age of 10, Reaksa's mother first noticed that her daughter’s back was becoming curved. Over the years, the curvature gradually worsened. She now has severe scoliosis, with her spine bending significantly toward the right side and associated kyphosis. Her condition has begun to affect her daily life. She has difficulty walking and sitting for long periods, and the discomfort she experiences while sitting makes it difficult for her to concentrate in class. Despite these challenges, she continues to attend school and work toward her dream of becoming a teacher. Until now, her family has not been able to afford the treatment she needs. Her family learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), through social media and sought treatment. On August 18th, she will undergo posterior spinal fusion (PSF) from T3 to L3, a surgical procedure that uses instrumentation to correct and stabilize the curved portion of her spine. She needs help of $1,500 to help cover the costs of her surgery, the implant, and post-operative care, including physiotherapy. The surgery aims to improve the alignment of her spine and prevent the severe curvature from progressing further. Reaksa's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help manage my daughter’s severe spinal deformity, improve her comfort and posture, and allow her to stay active and continue her studies and daily activities. I want her to feel more confident and comfortable as she grows.”

Annah is a 39-year-old woman from Uganda. She and her husband are small-scale farmers. They cultivate beans and cassava on a small piece of land. Their farming activities provide some of the necessities for their household; however, their harvest and earnings are insufficient to meet the family's needs. Annah is currently expecting a new baby. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Annah undergo a C-Section on October 31st. This procedure will cost $207, and Annah needs your support. Annah says, “I humbly appeal to the donor program and its generous donors to help me pay for my planned surgery. With your support, I will be able to undergo my surgery safely, recover, and continue farming beans and cassava to provide for my family’s needs and improve our living conditions.”

Dim is an 85-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one son and three grandchildren. His wife passed away 19 years ago from cancer, and Dim lives now with his son. Dim enjoys watching the news on TV and listening to monks pray on the radio. About two months ago, Dim developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to have itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Dim has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places on his own. When Dim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 21st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Dim contributed a $25 co-pay toward his care and needs help raising $238 more to fund his surgery. Dim said, "I hope, after surgery, my eye can see better. I can go outside and join ceremony and pagoda."