Srey Mey lives in Kampong Cham province with her parents and older sister. Both of her parents work in nearby rice fields. Srey Mey enjoys science class and hopes to be a nurse when she's older. She studies with her friends and likes listening to pop music in her free time. Since she was little, Srey Mey's parents noticed stiffness in the right side of her neck. A local clinic diagnosed her with torticollis, a twisting of the neck that causes the head to tilt at an odd angle. The family has hoped she would grow out of it, but her condition has not changed. She has a limited range of motion and often feels embarrassed. Fortunately, a friend in their village told Srey Mey's family about the Children's Surgical Centre. Srey Mey and her mom traveled two and a half hours for treatment. Doctors recommend a tendon surgery to restore the range of motion in her neck. Surgery will resolve her head tilt and improve her quality of life. Srey Mey shared, "I hope I can move my neck normally and not worry about this anymore."

Alexander is a 7 year-old student from Haiti. Alexander lives with his parents and younger sister in a small rural community. He is in the first grade and likes going to school and helping his family with farm chores. Alexander has a cardiac condition called double ventricular septal defect. Two holes exist between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through these holes without passing through Alexander's lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Alexander will need to travel to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On January 30th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew patches over the holes so that blood can no longer leak through them. Alexander's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow-up. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Alexander's family. Alexander's mother shares: "Our family feels very blessed to know that our son can have this chance for surgery!"

Penh is a loving grandmother from Kandal province. With three sons and one daughter, she has lived with her youngest son and his family since a divorce from her husband forty years ago. Formerly a farmer cultivating vegetables and rice, she is now trying to enjoy her retirement. Her days are occupied with looking after her grandchildren and preparing meals for the family. Occasionally, she finds comfort in visiting the nearby pagoda to listen to the monks chant. About four years ago, Penh developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her distress, as she struggles with the inability to see, do housework, or participate in the ceremonies at the pagoda. 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, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Penh learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Penh 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 $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 2nd. Penh shared: "I feel bad because I cannot see and cannot take care of myself or do housework. I hope I can be better after my operation."