Sorphea is a 51-year-old middle school teacher from Cambodia. She is a mother of three. Sorphea's husband serves in the army and her eldest daughter helps support the family by working in a nearby garment factory. Sorphea enjoys listening to music and watching Cambodian dramas at home. Thirty years ago, Sorphea had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sorphea experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, frequent headaches, and ear discharge. It is difficult for her to hear her students and family. Because of this condition, she has taken numerous sick days from her work at the school. Sorphea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 14th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, the surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $926 to fund this procedure to cover medications, supplies, and in-patient care. Sorphea shared, "I hope I can improve my hearing and get back to my job so I can help my students and support my family."

Daliya is a single mother of 4 children. She farms and does some daily work when available to support her living. Daliya likes chatting with her mother and enjoys eating a local favorite called nsima served with pumpkin leaves. In 2016, Daliya started experiencing a feeling of heat on her left breast followed by a small lump that initially was not painful. Later in the year, she visited several nearby hospitals, but was not able to find any answers. In 2018, her lump grew and had become painful. Daliya visited Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), where she was diagnosed with cancer. So far, Daliya has received 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Lately, Daliya has been experiencing needle-pricking pains, backache, and chest and abdominal pains. This has affected her ability to work. On February 2nd, Daliya reported to Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH) where it was confirmed she will need a modified radical mastectomy. Dailya and her mother were able to pay $29.88 towards her treatment and need our help raising $1,194 to cover her care, which is scheduled for February 6th. Daliya believes that the surgical operation will help her get back home to join her family and continue supporting her children. She believes her children are the reason she lives and has to be in good health for their sake as a single mother. Daliya said, ‘Kindly help me to get better for me to go back home, my children need my support for them to go back to school.”

Nak is the matriarch of a close-knit family consisting of six members. Widowed after the death of her husband, she lives with her oldest daughter, who works in a clothing factory, her son-in-law, and their children. She has a grandson in grade eight, a granddaughter in grade four, and a lively four-year-old who stays home with Nak. Since retiring from farming, Nak has taken responsibility for cooking and cleaning. Nak's health poses significant challenges. Diagnosed with diabetes six years ago, she battles the effects of a persistent wound on her left toe. There was an unfortunate incident with a penetrating injury from a thorn, which went untreated for a long time. She was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for diagnosis and treatment. Doctors have diagnosed her with dry gangrene. The blood supply to her toe has been cut off due to her diabetes, and the toe has become dry and turned black. Nak is in pain and feels poorly. Although her diabetes is under control, she is weak and must use a wheelchair. Surgery is necessary to prevent the gangrene from spreading and to allow the surrounding healthy tissue to heal. To address the issue and avoid further pain, an amputation of her toe is proposed. Doctors plan to take her to surgery on January 2nd. Now her family needs help with the cost of her surgery and her care. Our medical partner is requesting $479. This will cover the procedure, post-operative hospitalization, medications, and physical therapy. Nak's daughter said: "After surgery, we hope she can walk easier with no pain, and no infection."