Lek is a 27-year-old teacher from Cambodia. She lives in Kampong Thom province with her five-year old daughter, who attends school near their home. Lek is a primary school teacher, and her husband works in a factory in South Korea and sends money home to help support the family. In her free time, Lek enjoys planting vegetables around her home.
On February 1, 2024, Lek was in a motorbike accident on her way to work and collided with the road divider. This accident caused severe damage to the nerve network in her arm. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. As a result of the injury, Lek has significant weakness in her left arm and cannot move her hand. She struggles to perform daily tasks independently, which affects her ability to work, and care for herself and her child.
Lek traveled to our medical partner’s care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is helping Lek with her surgery. On November 18th, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, she will have the chance to regain function in her left hand and arm, allowing her to perform daily activities more easily and return to work with greater independence. Lek can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $637 more to fund her procedure and care.
Lek said: “After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to use my arm and hand again so I can do more at work and at home.”

