La Min is a 21-year-old young woman from Burma. She lives with her aunt in Bangkok, Thailand. She moved to Bangkok from her village in Karen State, Burma, in 2023 in search of better job opportunities. She worked as a waitress, but had to stop because of her health. La Min has a heart condition that requires replacement of two heart valves -the aortic and mitral valves - and repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, La Min experiences fatigue and a rapid heartbeat while walking even short distances, poor appetite, and chest pain. Even though she has lived with her condition almost all her life, she still experiences anxiety and stress during her episodes. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this complex surgery. The treatment is scheduled to take place on April 10th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and have a more active and healthy life ahead. In the future, La Min hopes to continue to work in Bangkok and save enough money to return to her village in Burma. There she dreams of opening a restaurant and selling Thai food. She said, “When I lie down at night, I hear my rapid heartbeat and have trouble falling asleep. When I am very tired and experience heart palpitations, I worry that my heartbeat will stop suddenly. I want to know what the world is like without my heart disease.”

At five years old, Angel is currently in preschool in Colombia, and stands out as a curious child, with a strong academic performance, and remarkable personal motivation. From a very young age, he has proudly expressed his dream of becoming a doctor when he grows up. However, his daily life has been affected by a problem that goes beyond the physical: constant pain and oral discomfort have interfered with his concentration, his eating habits, and the normal development expected for his age. About six months ago, Angel was first examined by a pediatric dentist, who diagnosed multiple deep cavities. Since then, he has been monitored regularly, but the progression of the disease has been evident. The intense and persistent pain, accompanied by swelling and marked difficulty eating, has begun to significantly impact Angel's quality of life. After assessing the extent of the lesions, the number of affected teeth, and the patient’s young age, the medical team determined that the best and safest option is to perform treatment under general anesthesia. This decision aims not only to ensure comprehensive and effective care, but also to protect the child’s emotional well-being. The proposed treatment, scheduled for April 28th at Clínica Noel, represents an opportunity for relief and recovery. Beyond resolving a dental problem, it will allow Angel to smile again without pain, eat properly, improve his academic performance, and resume his play and learning with peace of mind. Above all, it will give him the chance to continue dreaming of saving lives and becoming, one day, a renowned doctor. Now, Angel's family needs help to fund the $1,109 treatment. Angel's mother said: "As a mother, I sincerely hope that my son can finally feel at ease when it’s time to eat. For a long time, he hasn’t been able to enjoy his favorite food because of the pain and discomfort caused by the cavities he’s currently dealing with. Watching him suffer has been very difficult for me. I want to express my sincere gratitude, because thanks to people with such big hearts like you, families and children have hope again. I cannot find enough words to thank you for everything you are doing for my son. Your support and generosity mean so much to us, and make a huge difference in my little one’s life."

Sabou is a 74-year-old retired fisherwoman from Kandal province in Cambodia. She is a widow with three sons, one daughter, and eight grandchildren. Her husband died 10 years ago, and Sabou now lives with her eldest daughter, who is a tailor. About one year ago, Sabou developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is reluctant to go out on her own, due to her compromised vision. When Sabou learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On April 6th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After recovery, Sabou should be able to see clearly again. Sabou and her family are able to contribute $50 towards the cost of her treatment, and need help raising $213 more to fund the procedure. She says: "I hope that I will be able to see better after surgery, so that I can go out on my own again."