Monny is a 17-year-old student from Cambodia who lives with his mother and twin sisters. His parents divorced seven years ago, and his mother and sisters work in a garment factory to support the family. Monny is in the 11th grade, where he enjoys studying Khmer literature. Monny hopes to become a cellphone repairman. At home, his favorite meal is fried chicken and pork, and he enjoys spending time helping his mother with household work and playing games on his phone.
In December 2024, Monny was involved in a motor accident while riding on sand, resulting in a brachial plexus injury on his right side, as well as fractures to his neck and jaw. Since the accident, he has been unable to move his shoulder or elbow and has developed a wrist drop in his right hand. Because he is right-handed, this injury has made daily tasks, such as dressing himself or eating, very difficult and forced him to miss a year of school. Monny also experiences pain when someone touches his right hand.
When Monny learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On December 9th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to fuse his right shoulder joint and help him regain some function in his arm. It will be the first of several procedures he is likely to need, as his nerves have not spontaneously regenerated over the past year. Monny’s family contributed $100 to his care and needs assistance raising $511 to fund the remaining cost of his surgery.
Monny’s mother said, “After the surgery, I hope my son can use his right hand again, and I hope he will return to school.”