Aitana is a young girl from Bolivia. She lives with her mom and her dad, who have a small convenience store. Aitana has a twin sister and an older brother; they live in the northern part of Bolivia. Where they live, there are no cardiologists. So, when her mom noticed that her heart was beating too fast, she took her to a different area where she found out she had a heart condition and needed surgery. Aitana 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 April 15th, Aitana will undergo cardiac 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. Aitana'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. Aitana's mother shared, "We were looking forward to this day, I trust everything will go well, I pray for that."

Srey Pich is a 12-year-old schoolgirl from Cambodia. She lives in Phnom Penh with her parents and two younger siblings. Her father sells snacks, and her mother works as a waitress in a restaurant. She is the eldest of three children. She enjoys mathematics at school, likes visiting her cousin's house and playing games, and dreams of opening her own salon when she grows up. When she was seven years old, Srey Pich injured her left hand in an accident involving exercise equipment. The injury resulted in contractures of the second and third fingers of her left hand, limiting their movement and function. The contractures make it difficult for her to grasp and hold objects, affecting her daily activities. She also feels embarrassed by the appearance of her hand, which has reduced her confidence. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Srey Pich receive treatment. On July 2nd, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to improve the movement and function of her left hand, and make it easier for her to hold objects and carry out everyday activities. It is also expected to improve the appearance of her hand and boost her confidence. Now, Srey Pich's family needs help to fund this $572 procedure. Her mother said, “As a mother, it has been difficult to see her struggle for so many years. I hope this treatment will improve her hand function and help her smile with confidence again.”

Met is a 66-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom, Cambodia. She is married and has one son, three daughters, and six grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is also a retired rice farmer. Her children are rice farmers, too. During her free time, she likes to visit her children's houses and go to the pagoda. About ten years ago, Met developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, 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, wind, or dust, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Met learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Met needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The procedure will take place on June 9th, and she needs help raising $286 to fund her procedure and care. Met said, "I hope after surgery, my eye will no longer be tearing, irritated, or red, so I don't have to worry about it anymore. I can go back to growing some vegetables around my house, and I can go to the pagoda and join the ceremonies and visit my relatives, too!"