Srey Vin is a newly married 22-year-old and a mother of a four-month-old son. Her family lives some distance from Phnom Penh, where she and her husband both work in a garment factory that produces name-brand shoes and athletic wear. Srey Vin loves spending time with her baby and listening to the radio or watching music videos on YouTube. While she was pregnant, a large mass suddenly grew around Srey Vin's mandible, or jawbone. She went to a clinic near her home but was not able to receive help. The clinic suggested that Srey Vin travel two and a half hours to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for consultation. At CSC, Srey Vin was diagnosed with a giant cell granuloma - a benign tumor that grows from bone cells. They most often occur in the front portion of the lower jaw. These tumors can grow rapidly, cause pain and destroy bone. The tumor has grown very large in Srey Vin's jaw. As a result, she experiences discomfort and difficulty eating and talking. She worries about the tumor growing even larger. Fortunately, the surgeons at CSC can help Srey Vin. On November 7th, Srey Vin will undergo surgery to remove the mass and place a bone graft from her left fibula onto her mandible. Hopefully, this procedure will decrease the pain and discomfort Srey Vin experiences and improve her ability to talk and eat. Her family needs help to fund the $726 operation. Srey Vin shared, "I hope I can remove this growth so I stop worrying all the time and can take care of my son."

Theare is a 15-year-old student from Cambodia. He has two older brothers and they live with their grandmother and cousins in Battambang province. His parents are divorced and his mother works in a clothing factory in another province to support her children. In school, he is in grade five and enjoys classes about Khmer history. He would like to be a teacher when he is older. At home, he enjoys soccer, but cannot play due to his condition. Two years ago, he was riding with his brother on a motorbike and fell, suffering a severe injury to his left tibia or shin. His leg became red, swollen, and painful. His grandmother took him to a local hospital, where he had several different surgeries. Unfortunately, none of the surgeries repaired his leg and has since been diagnosed with a delayed union fracture or a fracture that will not heal without intervention. The local surgeons told his grandmother they could not do any more surgery to fix his leg as Theare needed a more complicated procedure that would entail internal fixation and bone grafting. His current condition hinders his mobility, forcing him to rely on crutches and endure constant pain, impeding his ability to keep up with school and indulge in his love for soccer. When Theare learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On March 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to fuse his left tibia and to correct the non-union. This will help him walk unaided and help relieve the pain. Now, Theare needs help to fund this $600 procedure. Theare said, "I hope to walk with no pain and continue my schooling."

Leakhena is a quiet 14-year-old girl from Cambodia. She and her twin brother live with their 65-year-old grandmother in Kampong Cham province. Her brother is learning to be a monk at a local temple, while Leakhena stays home to help their grandmother. At home, Leakhena likes to watch TV. According to her grandmother, Leakhena has had knee stiffness and difficulty walking since she was a toddler and is unable to fully straighten her right knee. When Leakhena's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three and a half hours to seek treatment. On February 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure of her right leg to help her walk better. Leakhena needs our help to fund this $482 procedure. She said: "I hope it will be easy to walk and I will not have any pain."