Ay Rin is eight years old and a third-grader from Cambodia. She lives in Kampot Province with her parents and her older brother, who is in Grade 7. Her father works as a construction worker, and her mother is a rice farmer. She enjoys playing with her friends in the village, her favorite subject is mathematics, and she dreams of becoming a doctor one day. For the past four months, Ay Rin has been experiencing frequent sore throats, difficulty swallowing, trouble breathing, loud snoring, and pauses in breathing while sleeping. Her frequent throat infections and breathing difficulties make it hard for her to eat, sleep, and concentrate at school. The repeated illness also causes her to miss classes and prevents her from fully enjoying time with her friends. Ay Rin was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Ay Rin, which is scheduled to take place on August 4th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Ay Rin of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Ay Rin's grandmother said, “I hope this surgery will stop her frequent throat infections so she can breathe, sleep, and eat comfortably again. I want her to return to school healthy and enjoy being a child without getting sick so often.”

Hok is a 67-year-old man from Cambodia. He is married and lives with his wife and youngest child, who works at a bank. He has four children, all of whom are married and visit him with their families. He enjoys caring for his grandchildren and spending time with them. In 2014, Hok was involved in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture of his left femur. Despite several surgeries over the years, the fracture has remained unhealed. The unhealed fracture and protruding, painful nail in his left femur make walking difficult. He currently relies on crutches to move around. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On September 3rd, Hok will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will remove the old nail, repair the fracture with plates and screws, and use a bone graft from his iliac crest to support healing of the femur and reduce the pain and discomfort caused by the damaged hardware. His family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $500 more to fund his procedure and care. Hok said, “I hope this surgery will help my leg heal properly and reduce the pain caused by the protruding nail. I look forward to walking more comfortably and returning to my normal daily activities.”

Kanhchana is an eight-year-old Grade 4 student from Cambodia. She is the only child in her family. Her father is a rice farmer, while her mother works in a garment factory. She enjoys mathematics at school and likes playing with toys alongside her cousins. Her favorite meal is fried pork with ginger. When Kanhchana was three years old, she suffered a hot-water burn to her left hand. After being treated at a private clinic, the burn healed with scarring that caused her fingers to contract. She later had contracture release and skin grafting, but tightness remains between several fingers, particularly between the third and fourth fingers. Burn scars have caused contractures affecting the second through fifth fingers of her left hand. The tight webspace between her middle and ring fingers limits how comfortably she can use her hand. Her mother is also concerned that her daughter may become self-conscious about the appearance of her hand as she gets older. When Kanhchana's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to loosen the tight area between her third and fourth fingers, helping her use and move her left hand more comfortably. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Kanhchana's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help improve my daughter’s hand and make it easier for her to use her fingers. I also worry that she may feel shy about her hand as she grows older, so I hope the treatment will help her feel more comfortable and confident.”