Sopheara is a nine-year-old student from Cambodia. He is the only child in his family and lives with his parents, who are rice farmers. He enjoys reading and writing Khmer and likes making toy cars in his free time. His favorite foods are fried pork and chicken. He wishes to be an architect when he grows up. Sopheara was born with unilateral incomplete cleft lip and cleft palate. He underwent surgery for the condition, but there is still a gap in his gums that affects his eating, speaking, and symmetry of his face. Sopheara needs surgery to close the gap. Fortunately, Sopheara visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for further treatment. There, surgeons will perform an alveolar bone graft procedure on September 8th. CSC is requesting $665 to fund Sopheara's treatment and care. After treatment, the alveolar bone graft (ABG) will help fill the gap in his gum and support the development and stability of his upper jaw. It may also make eating and speaking more comfortable and improve the appearance and symmetry of his smile as he continues to grow. Sopheara's mother said, “I am happy that my son can receive this surgery. I hope the bone graft will help repair his gum and support his teeth as he grows. I want him to have a healthy smile and feel confident when he goes to school and meets other people.”

Sathya is six years old and a first-grade student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who are rice farmers, and his older brother, who is in Grade 4. He enjoys reading and writing Khmer at school and playing with toy cars in his free time. His favorite foods are sour fish soup and oranges. For the past year, Sathya has been experiencing a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and occasional snoring at night. These symptoms may affect his comfort during daily activities and make it harder for him to enjoy school and play. Sathya was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Sathya, which is scheduled to take place on October 20th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Sathya of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Sathya's father said, “I hope my son will have fewer throat problems after surgery so he can swallow and sleep more comfortably. I want him to enjoy school, play with his toy cars, and keep following his dream of becoming a teacher.”

Hy is a 62-year-old woman from Cambodia. She lives in Kampong Cham Province with her husband. They have three adult children, all of whom are farmers and live nearby in the same village. She enjoys listening to monks' prayers in her free time. Five years ago, Hy was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused fractures of her right femur and right tibia. She underwent surgery with metal fixation at a government hospital. About one year ago, her grandchild accidentally stepped on her leg while she was sleeping, causing knee pain. She visited a hospital in Siem Reap Province, where an X-ray showed that the metal nail had broken. The broken hardware causes pain in her right leg and makes it difficult for her to walk comfortably and perform daily activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 7th, Hy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will remove the broken hardware, perform bone grafting, and stabilize the right femur with new internal fixation. This treatment will promote bone healing, reduce pain, improve the strength of her leg, and help her walk and carry out daily activities more comfortably. Her family can contribute $37, but needs help raising $563 more to fund her procedure and care. Hy said, “My biggest wish is to be able to walk without pain again and enjoy spending time with my family without worrying about my leg.”