Somanen is a six-year-old kindergartener, living with her parents and older brother in Kandal province in Cambodia. Both of her parents work in a local bank. Somanen likes to paint and hopes to be a teacher when she grows up. One year ago, Somanen began experiencing frequent sore throats, and difficulty with swallowing and breathing through her nose. Her mother says that Somanen's hearing is also impaired and that she has developed poor eating habits. Because of all of these symptoms, Somanen often misses school. She was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Somanen, which is scheduled to take place on February 7th at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. After her tonsils and adenoids are removed, Somanen should no longer experience any of the symptoms. Somanen's mother said: "I hope Somanen will get well from this illness after she has surgery."

Vireach is a three-year-old toddler who lives with his parents and his older brother in Kampong Cham province. His mother sells groceries from the front of their home and his father is a rice farmer. At home, he and his brother like to play with toy cars. His favorite meal is fresh fried fish from the Mekong River, which flows through Kampong Cham province. Vireach has strabismus in both eyes. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eye caused by injury or dysfunction in the associated nerves and muscles. The condition is called exotropia, where he uses only one eye to look at an object while the other eye turns outward. His eyes do not aim at the same place accurately or simultaneously. If left untreated, Vireach may have difficulty reading and suffer from permanent poor vision as he grows older. Vireach and his parents traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 2nd, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will perform a corrective procedure to align his eyes. Now, Vireach's family needs help to raise $331 to fund his eye procedure. Vireach's mother said: "I hope after the surgery his eye looks straight like other children so he doesn’t feel shy."

Sophal is a retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives in a small town on the Mekong river that is famous for having a small population of freshwater dolphins. Sophal has five sons, one daughter, and fifteen grandchildren that keep her busy. Her husband has also retired from their rice farm. Their daughter lives with them and farms rice and lotus for a living. Sophal shared that some of her favorite activities include joining ceremonies at her local pagoda, cooking, and looking after her house. About seven months ago, Sophal developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision and sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go out on her own. When Sophal learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 5th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly again. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Sophal shared: "I hope my vision improves, and I can do housework and get around easily by myself. I want to walk to the pagoda by myself."