Hoan is a 42-year-old rice farmer from Kompong Cham province in Cambodia. She lives with one of her younger sisters who works at a small grocery store. Despite the long hours spent working in the rice fields, Hoan finds solace in traditional Cambodian music and keeping up with current events through news updates on her phone. About one year ago, Hoan developed a cataract in her right eye, which is a clouding of the lens of the eye, like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. The cataract has been causing her photophobia, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She is constantly worried about falling when walking due to her low vision, and no longer ventures out on her own. When Hoan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 1st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Hoan is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of her treatment and needs help raising $153 more to fund the procedure. Hoan says: "I hope I can see more clearly after surgery, so I am able to work better, and start helping out at my sister's shop."

Ritchina is a 7-month-old baby girl from Haiti. She lives with both of her loving parents and her older brother. Ritchina has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Ritchina has been experiencing increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Ritchina will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Ritchina at Hospital Bernard Mevs that will treat her hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on January 4th. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from Ritchina's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Ritchina will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Her parents are hopeful that surgery will allow their child to grow up healthy.

Su is a 12-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her older brother and parents in Karen State, Burma. Su is a student who aspires to become a doctor in the future. Su’s father is a store night security guard and her mother sells watermelons. Four years ago, Su's skin started looking pale and yellowish. She also began experiencing abdominal swelling. Su was diagnosed with thalassemia, a blood disorder that affects the oxygen carried by red blood cells. Physicians at Mae Sot General Hospital determined that Su should undergo a splenectomy, a procedure that helps manage thalassemia. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Mae Sot General Hospital on April 15th. Once completed, it will hopefully improve Su's quality of life. Su's mother said, "We are under stress that we are in debt as we have to travel and pay for Su's consultations. I hope that Su will get treatment and recover. I want her to become a doctor one day."