Sarom is a 52-year-old widow from Cambodia, who works as a rice and vegetable farm laborer in Kandal province. Her husband passed away six years ago, and she now lives alone. She has two sons and one daughter with no grandchildren; her oldest son works as a company laborer, while her other two children are still students. In her free time, she enjoys listening to monks chanting through her phone. Five years ago, Sarom developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Sarom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Sarom needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $298. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for August 4th. Sarom says: "After a successful surgery, I look forward to my vision greatly improving, so I can easily return to work and no longer worry about my eyes."

Rathana is a 17-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. He is the first child in his family and lives in Kampong Speu Province with his parents and younger brother, who is in Grade 7. His parents work in a garment factory, and because of financial difficulties, he had to leave school and now works with them. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball and football with his friends in the village. His favorite foods are lemongrass sour soup and eggs. On June 28th, 2026, Rathana fell from a motorbike and briefly lost consciousness. He was taken to a provincial hospital, where X-rays showed a closed fracture of his left femur and an open fracture of his left forearm. Because he could not afford the recommended surgery, he later received treatment with a bamboo splint and traditional care. The fractures eventually healed in an abnormal position. His left leg is now shorter than his right, which has made walking difficult. He has been using crutches since the accident and has not yet tried walking. Although he experiences only a little pain, the shortened leg remains his main concern. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On October 1st, Rathana will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will help stabilize the bone in its improved position and support his recovery, helping him gradually regain the ability to walk and return to his normal activities and work. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $500 more to fund his procedure and care. Rathana's mother said, “I worry about how much my son has struggled with his leg since the accident. I hope this surgery will help his leg heal in a better position so he can start walking again, return to his normal activities, and get back to work.”

Mann Ya is a 14-year-old girl who lives with her parents and siblings in Battambang Province in Cambodia. Her father works as an army officer at the Thai border, while her mother manages the household. Mann Ya is the youngest of three children, and is currently in Grade 8. In February this year, Mann Ya was involved in a motorcycle traffic accident that caused fractures on her left leg. She underwent initial surgical treatment in Battambang Province, which included internal fixation of the left femur, and external fixation of the left tibia. Despite this treatment, she developed a persistent infected wound on her affected leg, which has failed to heal properly, and which remains open. This condition has significantly affected Mann Ya's daily life. She has difficulty walking, and has been unable to attend school regularly, which has disrupted her education and normal childhood activities. Mann Ya was later referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for further management. She is now scheduled to undergo free flap surgery on June 17th at Kien Khlang National Rehabilitation Centre, to close the open wound, and to improve soft tissue coverage. The procedure will also help control infection, protect underlying structures, reduce complications, and promote optimal healing and functional recovery of the left leg. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking $859 to fund Mann Ya's procedure, which should enable her to return to the life that she knew, prior to the accident. Mann Ya's mother said: “As a mother, I worry every day when I see my daughter struggling to walk and unable to attend school like other children. I hope this treatment will finally help her heal, so she can return to her studies, regain her independence, and look forward to a brighter future.”