Puttra, who is 17 years old, lives in Kampong Speu, a province just outside of the capital city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. His parents are pig and cow farmers, and he has three younger sisters. In his free time, Puttra plays soccer with his friends and feeds the cows near his house. In the future, Puttra would like to be a teacher of Cambodian studies. Puttra has nasal polyps in each nostril that result in discharge, poor sleep, and pain, including frequent headaches. He has been using medications that his mother regularly purchases at a pharmacy to manage these symptoms, but his condition has not improved. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is here to help. On March 8th, Puttra will undergo a bilateral polypectomy at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which should permanently alleviate all of his unpleasant symptoms. Puttra and his family need your help to raise $388 to fund the surgery. Puttra hopes that after surgery, this problem will be gone, and he can focus on school.

Mark is a 2-year-old boy, His mother works as a teacher, while the father owns a small business of selling thrift shoes around town. However, ever since the lock down period during the COVID-19 pandemic, their business has been slow, thus, reducing their household income. The past year has been the most difficult for them, and they are unable to raise funds to seek medical treatment for their son. Last year, while playing with his friends, Mark accidentally pulled on a flask of hot water resulting in the water spilling and burning most parts of his arms and stomach. Following the accident, his mother applied honey and a raw egg on the wound as first aid and then rushed him to the hospital. Mark was given ointments to help the wound heal, but his mother was led to believe that applying mashed cassava mixed with honey would help Mark’s wound heal faster and better compared to the medicine he was given at the hospital. Two months after the incident, Mark no longer had an open wound, but the skin around the fingers of his right hand was badly damaged. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burn. Now it is difficult for him to use his right hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Mark receive treatment. On March 3rd, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to increase the functionality of his fingers. Now, he needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Mark’s mother says, “Sometimes I wonder if not following the doctor’s advice is the reason my son’s hand is the way it is, and I’m the one responsible for that.”

Kim is a 71-year-old retired rice farmer. She is from Kandal province in Cambodia, and has one son and two grandchildren. Currently, she lives with her son who is a construction worker. Her husband passed away many years ago. Some of her favorite activities include joining ceremonies at her local pagoda and cooking for her grandchildren. Two years ago, Kim developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, light sensitivity, and tearing. 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 Kim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 8th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She said: "I hope my vision improves and I can get around easily by myself. I want to be able to help care for my grandchildren and walk to the pagoda by myself."