Helen is an eight-year-old girl from Colombia. She is currently in the 3rd grade, and enjoys participating in school activities, and reading stories. Helen dreams of becoming a doctor one day. Helen has an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles. The condition makes it painful for her to play, and limits activities that require physical strength. She sometimes experiences discomfort or tenderness in the affected area. Fortunately, on April 16th, our medical partner, Clínica Noel, will perform Helen's hernia repair surgery to help her live a healthier life. Helen's family is unable to raise the required treatment costs, and are seeking support to raise $786 to fund her surgery and care. Helen's mom said, "I am deeply grateful to all the kind and generous-hearted people who are supporting my daughter's treatment. Thank you very much in advance. Your support not only addresses a medical need, but also fills our hearts with hope."

Heang is a 41-year-old woman working in the crushed stone industry. She's from Takeo province in Cambodia. Heang is married and has two sons but no grandchildren yet. Her husband also works in the crushed stone industry, and her sons are students. In her free time, Heang likes to cook her favorite foods. About three years ago, due to trauma from a stone at work, the retina of Heang's right eye detached. This is causing her partial blindness and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere alone. When Heang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 4th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $706 to fund her procedure. Heang said, "I hope that after surgery my vision will improve, allowing me to see clearly, recognize things more easily, and return to work."

Char is a 55-year-old man from Burma who lives with his wife, two daughters, and two sons. His oldest two children work as small-scale farmers alongside Char and his wife, while his two youngest are students. Char's family also raises buffalo, pigs, and chickens for their consumption and to sell for income every four or five months. Char shared that the money they earn from selling their livestock, as well as the crops they grow for themselves, is just enough to cover their daily needs and to pay for basic health care. Char has a right inguinal hernia with bowel obstruction that is causing him to experience a lot of pain, difficulty walking and moving, and a reduced appetite. He needs to undergo surgery to heal from his condition. Fortunately, our medical partner can help him undergo hernia repair surgery on May 12th, which, once completed, will allow him to live more comfortably. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,468 to fund Char's surgery. Char shared about how upsetting this condition has been for him and his family, stating: "I cannot help my family take care of our rice fields, [vegetable] garden, or buffaloes," he said. "After I recover, I want to go home to take care of our rice fields and look after my buffalo. I will also go to the forest to forage for vegetables and hunt."