Sovanneath is a one-year-old girl from Takeo Province, Cambodia. She lives with her parents and is their only child. Her father works for a private company, and her mother is a primary school teacher. In her free time, she enjoys playing with toys, and her favorite food is soup—especially soup with plenty of vegetables. Sovanneath was born with polydactyly in her left hand. This means that she has an extra thumb that is non-functional and immobile. It makes everyday activities challenging, as the extra thumb often bumps into objects and can cause injury. Her parents worry that she may feel self-conscious about her hand as she grows older. On March 23rd, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair to remove the extra finger. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $379 to fund this procedure. After surgery, she will feel more comfortable, be able to use her hand normally, perform daily activities without pain, and gain confidence in her appearance. Sovanneath's mother said, “I sincerely hope that after the surgery, my daughter will be able to use her hand normally, do everyday activities without pain, and grow up healthy, confident, and happy like any other child.”

Deymar is a seven-year-old student from Bolivia. He lives in La Paz with his dad, who works in construction, his mom, who is a homemaker, and his three older siblings. Deymar frequently got sick as a young child, but the cause was only discovered recently when he was found to have a heart problem. Deymar has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exist between two major blood vessels next to his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. On July 21st, Deymar is scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Deymar's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Deymar's father says: "Our family is so grateful that the doctors can help my boy, we are happy now that we know his heart can be fixed."