Dara is a friendly 3-year-old boy from Cambodia. He is an only child and lives with his parents in Preah Veng Province. His father is a construction worker, and his mother is a homemaker. He likes to play with friends in the village and loves his mother's homemade soups. Dara was born with syndactyly of his right hand. This means that several of his fingers are joined by skin, soft tissue, and underlying bones. It is difficult for him to use his hand to grasp objects or hold a glass. On February 21st, surgeons will perform a syndactyly repair procedure to separate and release the fused fingers. Our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) is requesting $444 to fund this procedure. The surgery will allow usage of his hand and will also prevent worsening finger deformities. His family hopes that, after surgery, he will have more finger movement.

Sun is a 60-year-old grandmother from Phnom Penh. She is married with one daughter, two sons, and eight grandchildren. Sun and her husband have recently moved to Phnom Penh to live with one of their sons, who works in a nearby garment factory. Before moving to the city, Sun and her husband were farmers living in a rural area. Her hobbies are cooking and listening to monks chanting on the local radio station. About eight years ago, Sun developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The abnormal growth of cells over the pupil causes Sun to have difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going outside. When Sun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for an hour seeking treatment. Sun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva growth from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 30th. She said, "I hope after surgery my eye stops hurting, and I can take care of my grandchildren."

Saren is a 67-year-old retired farmer from Kampong Speu. She is married with two sons, five daughters, and 12 grandchildren. She lives with her retired husband and one of her daughters. At home, she enjoys going to the local pagoda or listening to the monks pray on the local radio station. Almost a year ago, Saren developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her cloudy, blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Saren learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 6th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She shared: "I hope after surgery I will be able to help my daughter do housework, take care of my grandchildren, and help my family with our rice planting."