Sarun is a 72-year-old widow from Banteay Mean Chey province, Cambodia. She previously sold Chinese noodles for a living but has now stopped working because of her poor eyesight. Her husband passed away 20 years ago. She has two sons and two grandchildren. She currently lives with her oldest son, who works as a laborer harvesting potatoes. In her free time, she enjoys listening to the radio, especially monks praying, and attending ceremonies at the pagoda. About two years ago, Sarun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking. She is unable to go places on her own. When Sarun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for 7 hours to seek treatment. On May 8th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Sarun said, "I hope that after surgery, my eyesight will improve so that I can see clearly again, recognize people and surroundings easily, and return to selling Chinese noodles well."

Sroeung is 43 years old and a rice farmer from Cambodia. Her husband works alongside her on the farm to support their four children. The family lives a simple life and relies mainly on seasonal rice farming income. In her free time, she manages household chores and takes care of her children. About one month ago, Sroeung experienced sudden dizziness and fell, injuring her left elbow. After the fall, she felt pain and was unable to bend or lift her elbow properly, which made it difficult for her to perform farming work and daily household activities. Initially, she sought treatment from a Khmer traditional medicine practitioner, but her condition did not improve. Later, she visited a private clinic where an X-ray examination revealed an elbow dislocation. The doctor advised her to seek specialized orthopedic treatment. After learning about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), from her mother, she traveled 2.5 hours to receive further evaluation and care. On March 3rd, Sroeung will undergo a reduction procedure on her left elbow. She can contribute $25, and needs help raising $427 more to fund her procedure and care. With proper treatment and recovery, her elbow function is expected to improve, allowing her to move her arm more comfortably, return to farming activities, and care for her family with less pain and difficulty. Sroeung shared, “Since I fell, my elbow has been very painful, and I cannot move it properly. It makes daily work difficult for me. I hope this treatment will help my arm heal so I can use it normally again and take care of my family.”

Seang Hai is an 11-year-old monk from Cambodia. His father works as a construction worker, and his mother is a garment factory worker. He has an older brother, who is 17 years old, and a younger sister, who is 6 years old. Seang Hai is currently studying in Grade 4, where his favorite subject is mathematics. In his free time, he enjoys learning dharma. His favorite meal is fried pork, and he dreams of becoming a teacher in the future. When Seang Hai was around one year old, he was accidentally burned by hot water, which affected the 3rd and 4th fingers of his left hand and the 3rd finger of his right hand. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his fingers. As a result, he has difficulty grasping objects and experiences mild pain during hand movements, limiting his daily activities. When Seang Hai's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help release the contractures, improve movement and strength in his hands, reduce pain, and allow him to hold and use objects more easily in his daily life. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Seang Hai's mother shared, “I hope after the surgery, he will be able to use his hands freely again, without pain, and live a happier life.”