Chea is a 57-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her free time. Five years ago, Chea developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her irritation, burning, photophobia, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Chea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. Chea needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 6th. "I hope that the tearing and burning will stop, and I will be able to recognize things and return to my work," Chea said.

Juma is a young farmer from Tanzania. He is the fifth born child in a family of seven children. When he was five years old Juma was in an accident in which he burned his foot. The skin around his foot contracted. His walking is affected, and he feels pain when he walks for a long distance. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Juma receive treatment. On March 4, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk without pain and discomfort. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Juma says, “Please help correct my feet.”

Zin is a 28-year-old woman who lives with her husband and two daughters in Burma. Her husband is a teacher. Zin usually stays at home and looks after her children. In 2018, Zin went to Mandalay General Hospital and had an echocardiogram and x-ray. The doctor explained that two of her heart valves are wider than the usual sizes and that she needs to undergo surgery. Now, she is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on March 8. Her family needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Zin said, “I want to work and find money like others to support my family.”

Ky is a 70-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has four children and two grandchildren. In his free time he likes to listen to the monks pray. One year ago, Ky developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision, irritation, and itching. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ky learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On February 6, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery I can continue my work at the farm field and can go anywhere outside independently."

Lens Clifford is a ten-year-old boy from Haiti. He lives with his mother, grandparents, and younger sister. He is in the 4th grade and is an excellent student. Lens Clifford was born with coarctation of the aorta, a cardiac condition in which the aorta is abnormally narrow making it difficult for blood to pass through it. He has been recommended for heart surgery, and will receive treatment at our medical partner's care center, Health City Cayman Islands. Although Have a Heart Cayman is contributing $17,000 to the cost of Lens Clifford's surgery, he is still in need of $1,500 to cover the cost of his transportation and heart surgery prep. On June 26, Lens Clifford will be transported to the Cayman Islands where he will be prepared for surgery. "I am excited for my surgery so that I can run and play as much as I want," says Lens Clifford.