Heak is 60 years old and a hardworking rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her niece, who is a Grade 12 student. She is the seventh of ten siblings, all of whom are married. Her parents passed away during the Khmer Rouge era. Despite many hardships in life, she continues to support herself through rice farming. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and helping with household chores. In 2024, Heak was involved in an overturned car accident while traveling in Thailand, resulting in a severe fracture of her left femur near the knee. Although she underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture, the bone failed to heal properly and developed into a nonunion, causing ongoing pain in her left knee and leg. Heak experiences persistent pain and stiffness in her left knee, making it difficult to walk without support. The condition limits her independence, affects her ability to work in the rice fields, and makes everyday activities challenging. Fortunately, Heak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought treatment. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Heak of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for June 1st. Heak can contribute $100, but needs help raising $1,213 more for her procedure and care. Heak said, “I hope this treatment will help me walk without support again and live without pain. Being able to move independently would mean so much to me and allow me to return to my normal life.”

Lin is a 35-year-old fish seller from Prey Veng province. He is married and has one son and one daughter. He lives together, his wife is also a fish seller, and his children are students. In his free time, he likes to listen to the news on his phone and play volleyball. About one year ago, Lin developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Lin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 10, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He can contribute $25, but needs help raising $238 more to fund his procedure and care. Lin said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see better. I can go back to selling fish well again, and I can drive my motorcycle and bring my children to school easily, and can go far places well."

Kheang is a 50-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Kandal Province with his wife, who is also a rice farmer. They have one daughter, who is married and has a son. In his free time, he enjoys caring for his ducks and chickens. Four months ago, Kheang had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Kheang experiences recurring ear discharge, mild ear pain, headaches, and hearing loss in his left ear. The chronic ear infection and perforated eardrum have affected his ability to hear clearly and caused recurring discomfort and discharge. These symptoms have made it more difficult for him to communicate with others, and carry out his daily activities comfortably. Kheang traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 10th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear, where surgeons will close the perforation. Kheang is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment, and needs help raising $263 more to fund the procedure. He said, “I hope the surgery will repair my eardrum, prevent the recurring infections and ear discharge, reduce my discomfort, and improve my hearing so I can return to my daily activities more comfortably.”