Hem is a 57-year-old rice farmer from Pailin Province in Cambodia. She is married and lives with her 64-year-old husband. They have four children. Her first and second children are rice farmers, her third child works for an organization, and her youngest child is a teacher. In her free time, she enjoys listening to monks praying and keeping up with the news. Hem has a herniated disc at the L4-L5 level of her lower spine, a condition in which a spinal disc presses on nearby nerves. She has experienced intermittent lower back pain for approximately three years, but about one month ago, the pain began radiating down the back of her left leg. She also experiences intermittent numbness in her left leg and weakness when extending her left toe. These symptoms have made walking and carrying out her daily activities as a farmer more difficult. Hem was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), by a relative. She traveled approximately seven hours from Pailin to seek specialized care. After evaluation, doctors recommended surgery to relieve the pressure on the affected nerves. Hem is scheduled to undergo laminectomy and decompression of the L4-L5 spine on August 17th. She has contributed $100 towards her treatment but needs an additional $1,400 in support to cover the cost of surgery and related care. The surgery aims to relieve pressure on the nerves and help reduce her back and leg symptoms, allowing her to walk more comfortably and return to farming and her normal daily activities. Hem said, “I hope that this surgery will relieve my back and leg pain, improve the numbness and weakness in my left leg, and help me walk more comfortably again. I wish to return to farming, and continue my normal daily activities.”

Sothea is a ten-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives in the Takeo Province with his grandmother, who is a rice farmer, and his younger brother. His parents work in the city to support the family; his mother is employed in a garment factory, and his father works in construction. Sothea is currently in third grade, and his favorite subject is math. He hopes to become a teacher when he grows up. In his free time, he enjoys playing games outside with his friends in the village. For the past year, Sothea has been experiencing difficulty swallowing and breathing while sleeping. He snores at night and frequently experiences a sore throat. His condition affects his sleep and causes discomfort throughout the day, making it difficult for him to rest well and affecting his overall health and school activities. Sothea was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his 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 Sothea, which is scheduled to take place on May 12. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Sothea of his symptoms and helping him breathe and sleep much more comfortably. His mother said, “I hope this treatment will help my child breathe and sleep better so he can grow up healthy and strong.”

Sophon is a 60-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is a weaver from Kandal province. She is a widow with no children; her husband passed away about 15 years ago in a car accident. She currently lives with her youngest sister, who is also a weaver. In her free time, Sophon enjoys listening to the radio and hearing monks pray. About two years ago, Sophon developed a cataract in her right 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, so she is not able to go places on her own. Sophon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On April 30th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Sophon can contribute $50, but needs help raising $213 to fund her procedure and care. Sophon said, "I hope that after my eye surgery, my vision will improve so that I can see clearly, recognize things more easily, and continue my weaving work well. I also hope to travel farther without difficulty and no longer worry about my eyesight."