Joel is a young student from Bolivia. He lives with his grandfather, who works in construction. Joel's mom works in Brazil in order to earn some money to send to the family. This year, Joel's grandfather noticed Joel looked very tired when walking, and his lips turned purple. Joel was diagnosed with a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This involves a hole between two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Joel does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On September 2nd, Joel 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 normally. Joel'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. Joel's grandfather says, "Joel likes to go to school and have friends. I pray his surgery goes well so he can be healthy and return home."

Poeurt is a 43-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who manages household tasks and cares for their two children. His first child is in Grade 8, and his second child is in Grade 6. He earns a living by growing rice and lotus. In his free time, he enjoys feeding and caring for his chickens and cows. In 2018, Poeurt had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Poeurt experiences hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a history of chronic ear discharge caused by chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). The condition affects his ability to hear and communicate clearly with his family and others. His hearing difficulties make daily communication harder and may affect his ability to work comfortably on his farm. Poeurt traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 16th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for help to fund this procedure. Poeurt can contribute $100, but needs help raising $263 more. Poeurt said, “I hope this surgery will improve my hearing and stop the problems with my ear. I want to work on my farm, communicate with my family more easily, and live my daily life without worrying about my hearing.”

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!"