Lucia is a baby from southern Bolivia. Her mother stays home with her, and her father is a delivery driver. Lucia was born with a heart condition called coarctation of the aorta. A major blood vessel leading to the heart is too small, which leaves Lucia weak and unable to properly grow. Additionally, she has turner syndrome. Lucia needs surgery to open the aorta to its full size. This will allow blood to flow more easily so she can grow up healthy. Lucia's mother states: "Our family is so happy to know that our daughter can finally have this surgery; we have been hoping for this opportunity since she was born."

Patrick is a three-year-old boy from Malawi. He is the youngest of two children. His parents are farmers who grow maize, beans, and groundnuts to support the family. A year ago, Patrick started experiencing a painful swelling on the right side below his waist. His mother took him to a nearby health center, where she was advised to seek medical help at Nkhoma Hospital. Patrick was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia and was advised to have corrective surgery. This condition causes him abdominal pain whenever the swelling appears and his parents are worried about their child’s health. If left untreated, it may lead to more health complications. Treatment will relieve Patrick of the pain and alleviate his parents’ stress. Patrick is scheduled for surgery on March 12th and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $421 for the surgery. Patrick’s mother says, “I am looking forward to my son’s treatment and recovery so that he can be happy again.”

Chunheang is a 66-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. She is widowed and lives in Kampong Cham province with one of her daughters, her son-in-law, and two grandchildren. Chunheang's other three children live nearby with their families and help support each other through income from rice farming and clothing factories. At home, Chunheang enjoys cooking and listening to Buddhist Radio. In February 2024, she was in a motorbike accident and fractured her left shoulder. Following the accident, her daughter took her to Vietnam for surgery and treatment. The surgeons there fixed a metal plate in her shoulder to heal the fracture. Now the fracture has healed, but the hardware is uncomfortable and she is in chronic pain. The family spent all of their savings on the initial treatment and have been delaying visiting a health center for the pain caused by the metalwork. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 28th, Chunheang will undergo a hardware removal procedure that will help relieve her discomfort and improve mobility. Chunheang and her family are able to contribute $100 but need your help to raise $204 more to fund the procedure. Chunheang shared, "I hope I can use my arm again so I can easily cook and take care of my family."