Rathana is a 34-year-old tuk-tuk tricycle driver from Prey Veng, Cambodia. He is divorced and has three children. In his free time, he likes to play volleyball. About two months ago, the retina of Rathana's left eye detached, causing him partial blindness and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Rathana learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 3rd, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $706 procedure. Rathana said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, so I can go back to driving my Tuk Tuk, and I feel happy I don’t worry about my eye anymore."

Pyae is a 16-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, her sister, and her brother in Mandalay. Her father works as a day labor and her mother sells fruits pickle at home. Pyae and her siblings are students. Pyae was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Pyae has chest pain, gets tired easily, and is unable to eat and sleep well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Pyae. The treatment is scheduled to take place on May 15th at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital in Thailand, and once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Pyae said, "If it is not BCMF and its donors, I will not have the right to receive the surgery.” Pyae’s mother said, “I would like to say thank you so much for your support and your cares to us. This kind of opportunity and support, we can not find and receive it inside Burma. I would like to contribute back to BCMF someday in the future.”

Matheo is a three-year-old preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents in a suburb of Port-au-Prince; his father is a police officer and his mother runs a small shop. In his free time Matheo enjoys singing. Matheo has a cardiac condition called pulmonic stenosis - one of the four valves of his heart is too narrow, and as a result blood cannot flow normally through his heart and body. If left untreated, this could lead to heart failure. Matheo will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 6th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a balloon on the end of a catheter to stretch the valve open to a more normal size. Another organization is contributing to pay for surgery. Matheo's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Matheo's family overseas. Matheo's mother said, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is making it possible for Matheo to be healthy!"