Seav Y is a four-year-old girl from Cambodia. She is a cheerful kindergarten student from Kompong Cham Province. She lives with her parents and two siblings. Her father is a math teacher, and her mother sells fish at a local market. She is the youngest child in the family, with an older brother in Grade 6 and an older sister in Grade 3. She enjoys writing and reading Khmer at school. In her free time, she loves playing with her toys. Her favorite meals are soups, especially those with plenty of vegetables, and she dreams of becoming a teacher when she grows up. One year ago, Seav Y had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the eardrum. For this reason, Seav Y experiences left ear pain, intermittent ear discharge with a foul smell, and hearing loss. This condition makes it difficult for her to hear clearly, which can affect her learning and communication. The ongoing pain and discharge also cause discomfort and may prevent her from fully enjoying school and playtime like other children. Seav Y traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 21st, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $477 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Seav Y's mother said, “I hope she can receive proper treatment so she can be free from pain and discomfort, and live happily like other children.”

Saroem is 22 years old and the youngest of four siblings from Cambodia. Her siblings work as factory workers, and the family lives together as a close-knit household. Saroem was born with a congenital condition called neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes usually noncancerous tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. In 2017, with the support of Watsi, she underwent surgery to remove the mass on her hand, as it was affecting her ability to write, eat, and complete everyday tasks. For many years now, Saroem has had a mass on the right side of her upper jaw. The condition has persisted throughout her life without causing significant pain, but it has gradually affected her facial appearance and self-confidence. She often feels shy and self-conscious in social and professional settings due to the visible swelling. Saroem is scheduled for surgery on June 15th. Surgeons will perform a right facelift and mass removal to improve facial symmetry, reduce the mass, and help restore her confidence. Her family can contribute $50, but needs help raising $791 to fund her treatment and care. Saroem said, “For many years, I have been self-conscious because of the swelling on my face. I hope this surgery will improve my appearance and allow me to feel more comfortable and confident in my daily life.”

Mateo is a toddler from Bolivia. He is his parents' first child. He lives with his mom, who is a homemaker, and his dad, who works distributing soda. When he was born prematurely at 30 weeks, Mateo had to be in an incubator where doctors detected his heart condition. Mateo has a cardiac condition called tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), a combination of four heart conditions, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Mateo does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On May 6th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, doctors will close the hole in his heart and remove the blockage so that blood can flow more normally. Mateo'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. Mateo's mother shared, "I'm grateful my child is going to receive his surgery so he can grow and be a healthy boy."