46-year-old Rathana is a tuk-tuk driver from a rural province in Cambodia. He now works in the capital of Phnom Penh, where he rents a traditional house with his wife and their two sons, ages 4 and 9. His wife works in a garment factory, and his children attend a nearby school. On April 5th, Rathana fell off his motorbike and lost consciousness. He was taken to a hospital on the outskirts of town, where he paid the equivalent of two months' wages for pain medications and routine tests. One month later, he noticed weakness in his left arm and hand, but he delayed seeking treatment due to a lack of funds. When Rathana finally sought the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he was diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury to his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in the loss of function and sensation. Currently, Rathana is unable to use his left hand, and he cannot work. On July 20th, Rathana will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the only facility in Cambodia where this treatment is available. After recovery, he will be able to use his hand again, and to return to work. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. After surgery, Rathana hopes that he can go back to work to support his family and do his every day activities.

Sopheakdey is a 42 year old tuk-tuk driver, living with his wife and two children in Kandal province, Cambodia. Sopheakdey's wife works in a clothes factory, while Sopheakdey stays at home with their five year old daughter, since his condition prevents him from being able to work. For the past four years, Sopheakdey has been suffering from chronic back pain. While he has no history of trauma, it is difficult for him to bend, twist, or stoop down; any work or activity causes pain. His legs feel weak and clumsy, so he stays home. Because he cannot work, he worries about being able to feed his family. Fortunately, a relative told him about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Surgeons have diagnosed him with spondylolysis, a weakness or stress fracture in one of the vertebrae, the small bones that make up the spinal column. This weakness can occur with no known injury. The most common cause in adults is degenerative arthritis. On August 3rd, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre plan to do a posterolateral lumbar fusion, to stabilize his spine and decrease his pain. Now, Sopheakdey needs your help to defray the cost of the $1500 operation. The money he receives will cover surgery, medication, and post-operative care. Sopheakdey said: "I hope that my pain will be less after surgery, and I can go back to work to help my wife and children."

Joyce is a sweet 5-year-old girl from Kenya. Joyce's father lost his first wife, leaving him with seven children from their marriage to care for. He later remarried Joyce's mother, and together they have five children, so Joyce's full family consists of her mother, father, and eleven siblings. The two oldest children have moved out and started their own families. Joyce's parents take on various work, like working on their neighbors' farms, to provide for their family. However, they shared that their earnings are barely enough to provide food for the family, and they also receive some support from well-wishers. Joyce has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Joyce has been experiencing severe headaches accompanied by loss of speech and inability to walk over the last three weeks. Without treatment, Joyce will experience severe physical and developmental delays. On October 27th, Joyce will undergo surgery to drain the excess fluid from her brain, thus reducing the intracranial pressure and significantly improving her quality of life. With proper treatment, Joyce will develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $720 to cover the surgery cost. Joyce's mother said, "I am worried for my daughter's health. I want her to be treated and go back to her good health again."