Saw Kler is a 14-year-old boy who lives with his parents, three older sisters, and one younger brother, in a village in Karenni State, Burma. Saw Kler’s parents and two of his older sisters are farmers. When he is older, Saw Kler would like to become a minister. Saw Kler stopped going to school two years ago as he began to have frequent seizures. Doctors found that Saw Kler has a heart condition that requires the replacement of two heart valves and the repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Because of his condition, Saw Kler feels tired and has an irregular heart rate, resulting in an inability to walk long distances. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for the complex surgery Saw Kler needs. The procedure is scheduled to take place at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital on April 9th, and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably, and to have a more active and healthy life ahead. Saw Kler said: “I feel sad when I see my friends are playing football and having fun. I want to play with them, but I cannot run like them, as I always feel tired. I want to continue my studies if my condition improves.”

Eyphril is a one-year-old baby girl from Bolivia. She lives in a mining village in central Bolivia with her parents and older sister. Eyphril's father is a truck driver and her mother is a house cleaner. Eyphril was born with cor triatriatum, a rare heart condition where the upper chambers of the heart are subdivided by membranes into three chambers. These chambers prevent blood from flowing normally through her heart, leaving her weak and short of breath. On April 17th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, Surgeons will remove the membranes from her heart so that blood can flow normally. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to fund this procedure. Eyphril's mother shares, "Our family is praying for all of the doctors, nurses, and everyone else who is helping our daughter to become healthy."

Tha is a 72-year-old military retiree from Cambodia who lives alone in rural Kampong Chhang province. His wife passed away twenty years ago, and he has been living alone. He helps care for his eight grandchildren who live nearby. All five of Tha's children help support him financially through their work in farming and construction. In his free time, Tha enjoys going to the pagoda to pray and watching the evening news. About two years ago, Tha developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Tha learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 19th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Tha and his family are able to contribute $25 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $228 more to fully fund the operation. Tha shared, "For two years, I am feeling scared to drive my motorbike because I cannot see clearly. I would like to be able to drive to see my grandchildren or to the far away pagoda on my own."