“Neang is a fifth-year engineering student,” says our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). “She is the youngest in her family, 21 years old, and has three sisters. In her free time, Neang likes to read books and help her mother around the home.” Since she was ten years old, Neang has experienced chronic otitis media with ear discharge and hearing loss. Chronic otitis media results from a blockage in the eustachian tube (the connecting channel between the middle ear and the back of the nose). This obstruction – which is often caused by swelling from inner-ear inflammation or injury – can ultimately contribute to long-term pain in the ear and head region, hearing loss, and ultimately cases of severe ear damage. As CSC explains, “This has caused the tympanic membrane (eardrum) on each side of Neang’s ear to perforate. Her chronic ear infections and perforated eardrums have caused her pain and discomfort.” For $598, Neang will undergo a bilateral myringoplasty to surgically close the perforation in her eardrum. “Neang will have a myringoplasty operation on her left ear, then return to CSC in six weeks to have the same operation on her right ear,” says CSC. “Her ear discharge will stop and her hearing will improve after the operations.” "I hope after the operations are done my daughter can stop having ear discharge and she can have good hearing and health,” Neang’s mother shares.

Meet James, a three-year-old boy from Haiti! “He is a friendly and intelligent boy, who is looking forward to starting preschool and learning to read,” our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, tells us. He lives in southern Haiti with his parents and one-year-old brother. “James has a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole between two parts of the heart that normally closes by itself after a baby is born, instead remains open,” HCA explains. “As a result, blood can flow through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving the child sickly and breathless. Without treatment, the condition can be fatal.” James has been selected to receive a $5000 surgery to correct his heart defect through Open Hearts Haiti. His family is counting on Watsi donors to raise another $1500 to fund his overseas travel and surgery prep. “It was very hard for me to leave my other baby at home to come with James, but I’m so excited that he will get the help he needs!” James’ mom says.