Spencer is the last born in a family of four children. His father is a fisherman, and mother stays home to care for Spencer. Shortly after birth, Spencer's stomach became swollen. He was diagnosed with Anorectal Malformation - a birth condition in which the rectum is malformed. He was scheduled for a colostomy opening surgery, but Spencer's parents did not have any money for the surgery. They went back home with some medication to help pass stool as they were looking for money. After one month, they gathered some money and underwent the surgery. Spencer is now scheduled for an anorectoplasty surgery, where the surgeon will further correct the malformation. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, will perform the surgery on February 27th and is requesting for $743 to fund the surgery. Spencer’s mother says, “As a parent, it's very painful to see your child suffering yet there’s nothing you can do to help. I hope that my child will be able to recover and live a normal life.”

Valentino is a preschooler from Bolivia who lives with his mother and four older brothers. He loves to watch cartoons and enjoys his mother's s cooking. However, it is difficult for him to gain weight. Valentino has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On April 16th, he 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 in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 for this procedure. Valentino's mother says, "Our family will be so much happier and less stressed once we know that our son is normal and healthy."

Ra is an only child and lives with his parents who work as rice farmers near their home. In school, Ra enjoys mathematics class, and at home, he enjoys playing with his friends in the village and riding bikes. One year ago, Ra fell while playing with his friends. He experienced a significant injury on his left wrist and elbow. Ra's mother observed that he could not flex his elbow properly or extend his wrist and fingers like he could before the accident. Ra was referred by a public hospital in Phnom Penh to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). He and his mom traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 11th, surgeons will perform a nerve and tendon procedure to improve the function of his wrist and elbow. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is seeking assistance to fund the $487 surgery and physiotherapy that Ra needs. Ra's mother shared, "I hope he can recover from this injury and go back to school quickly."