Thy Cheng is a 37-year-old mother from Cambodia. She lives with her husband and three children in rural Koh Krong province, near the border with Thailand. Her husband works in construction, while Thy Cheng sells fish in the local market. While at home, she likes gardening and spending time with her kids. When she was a toddler, Thy Cheng had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, an abnormal collection of skin cells, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Thy Cheng has been experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. It is difficult for her to communicate with people, and she is unable to work full-time due to frequent discomfort. Thy Cheng traveled to our medical partner's care center, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On May 2nd, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure to remove the cholesteatoma. Thy Cheng is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of her treatment, and needs help raising $826 more to fund the procedure. Thy Cheng says, "I hope that my hearing will improve, so I can communicate better with my family and my customers."

Bopha is an 18-year-old student who lives in Kandal province with her parents, who are rice farmers. Bopha is the youngest child of three; she has two brothers, one is still in school and one is a teacher. She studies in grade 12, and dreams of going to a university to be a teacher like her brother. At home, she likes to read books. For two years, Bopha has been experiencing a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing at night, sore throat, and fever. Her parents took her to a private clinic where they got medicine that did not help her to feel better. She has difficulty going to school and paying attention in class because she feels unwell and doesn't sleep well. Bopha was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Bopha, which is scheduled to take place on January 3rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Bopha of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Bopha said: "I hope after this operation I will feel good and will stop having a sore throat."

Samoeun is a widow and retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province. Currently, she lives with her only son and his family, who now manage the family farm. She likes cleaning the house, taking care of her grandchildren, and listening to the monks pray on the radio. For approximately 30 years, Samoeun has had a lesion on her skull. About five years ago, she had a lesion on her back that was removed, but no biopsy was done. Her current lesion is circular, approximately a 4 cm. x 4 cm. lesion. Because it is on her skull, she can only feel it and does not know for sure if it has grown recently. It does not cause her pain, but it is itchy and she is concerned. Fortunately, a relative told her about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and the good care given for Cambodians. Samoeun traveled three hours with her son for a diagnosis and surgical excision. On February 13th, surgeons will perform a complex excision of the skull lesion. With concerns looming over the possibility of basal cell carcinoma, they plan to remove as much as feasible, ensuring Samoeun's well-being and peace of mind. The cost of this procedure is $726, which will cover surgical care, recovery in the hospital, medications, and histology analysis of the lesion. Samoeun shared: "I am worried about the results, but hope I have no pain or infection and can take care of myself well, and enjoy my retirement with my family."