Kataleya is a sweet 13-year-old girl from Bolivia. Kataleya lives in the northern part of the country with her mother, who is a homemaker; her dad, who works in agriculture; and her younger sister. Kataleya was taken to the doctor with complaints of headaches, and it was during this visit that doctors heard a murmur and discovered her heart problem. Kataleya has a cardiac condition called an atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. On May 20th, Kataleya will undergo heart surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Kataleya'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. Kataleya's mother shared, "I'm grateful that my daughter is receiving her surgery. They told me the heart murmur was going to close with time, but recently we found out it didn't. I pray she will have a good surgery, and she can feel much better so she can exercise as she wishes."

Hong is an 18-year-old truck driver from Prey Veng Province in Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who are rice farmers, and has one older brother who works as a truck driver. He enjoys playing volleyball with his friends in his free time, and is active in his village community. In May 2024, Hong was involved in a traffic accident that caused a fracture in his lower right leg. Doctors performed open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure and implanted a plate and screws in his leg. Since the surgery, he has experienced occasional pain and discomfort in his right leg, especially when walking or doing daily activities. This has affected his comfort and mobility, particularly during work and movement. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 18th, Hong will undergo a hardware removal procedure to help reduce pain and discomfort, improve mobility, and allow him to walk more comfortably and return to his normal daily and working activities. Hong is contributing to his treatment, but needs to raise $328 more for his procedure. He says: “I hope that removing the plate and screws will help reduce my pain, make walking easier, and allow me to move more comfortably in my daily life.”

Serey is a three-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and three older siblings. His father works as a construction worker, and his mother works in a mango jam factory. His siblings are all students. In his free time, he enjoys playing with toy cars and eating all kinds of soup, especially lemongrass sour soup. Serey was born with syndactyly of both hands, meaning his 3rd and 4th fingers on both hands are fused. This makes it difficult for him to use his hands comfortably and affects his confidence around others. Fortunately, on April 23rd, our medical partner, the Children's Surgical Centre, will assist Serey in undergoing syndactyly repair surgery to separate and release the fused fingers. This procedure will cost $462, and Serey needs your support to fund the surgery. Serey's father said, “After the surgery, I hope that my son will be able to use his hands more freely and comfortably in his daily life. I also hope he will gain confidence, no longer feel shy about his appearance, and be able to interact and play happily with others like any other child.”