Ponleu is a four-year-old kindergarten student from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham Province with his parents and his eight-month-old younger brother. His father works as a security guard, and his mother is a rice farmer. He enjoys writing and reading Khmer, loves watching cartoons and playing with toys, and dreams of becoming a doctor one day. For the past two years, Ponleu has been experiencing a runny nose, difficulty swallowing, nasal congestion, frequent cough, enlarged adenoids and tonsils, and fluid behind both eardrums (glue ear), causing mild to moderate hearing loss. His repeated ear and nose problems make it difficult for him to hear clearly and breathe comfortably. The condition can affect his learning, sleep, and enjoyment of everyday activities at kindergarten. Ponleu was recently diagnosed with enlarged 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 an adenoidectomy and grommet insertion for Ponleu, which is scheduled to take place on July 17th. Surgeons will remove his adenoids, hopefully relieving Ponleu of his symptoms and helping him hear better and live much more comfortably. Ponleu's grandfather said, “I hope this surgery will help my grandson breathe and hear better so he can stay healthy, enjoy kindergarten, and play happily without getting sick so often.”

Nich is a 50-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and lives in Battambang Province with her husband, who serves in the army at the border. They have three children; the eldest sells pork at a local market, the second child works as a coffee seller, and the youngest is a university student. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and helping with household tasks. In September 2024, Nich suffered severe burns in a gas explosion while cooking. Although her burn wounds healed after treatment at a local clinic, she developed significant scar contractures affecting her neck and both armpits, with the neck being the most severely affected area. She later underwent burn contracture release surgery with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Following that procedure, her condition improved, and she experienced better movement and comfort. However, over time, the scar contracture gradually recurred, causing increasing tightness around her neck. The tight scars make it difficult for Nich to turn or extend her head normally, and she sometimes struggles to eat because of the restricted movement. On June 18th, surgeons at CSC will perform a free flap procedure to release the severe neck contracture and reconstruct the affected area with healthy tissue. This surgery is expected to improve neck movement, reduce tightness and discomfort, enhance function, and lower the risk of future recurrence. The procedure will also help her eat more comfortably and carry out daily activities with greater ease and independence. Nich said, “I am very grateful for the treatment and support I received before. It helped me feel much better for a long time. I hope this surgery will further improve my condition, allow me to move my neck more freely, and help me enjoy daily life with my family without discomfort.”

Phors is a 35-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. Phors is married and lives with her husband, who works in a factory, and their two children, one in Grade 6 and the other in kindergarten. She enjoys listening to music and spending time caring for her children. Three months ago, Phors had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Phors experiences pain, ringing in her right ear, reduced hearing, and ear discharge. An examination found a perforation in her right eardrum, and she was diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). Her ear problems make it difficult for Phors to hear clearly and communicate comfortably with others. As a rice farmer and mother, she hopes to improve her hearing so she can manage her farming work and care for her children more comfortably. On October 27th, with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), Phors will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. She can contribute $100, but needs help raising $263 more to fund her procedure and care. Phors said, “I hope the surgery will help me hear better and reduce the problems with my right ear. I want to communicate more easily with others and continue my farming work comfortably. I’m looking forward to feeling better and returning to my daily activities without so much worry about my ear.”