Thi is a playful 3-year-old toddler from Cambodia. He loves to eat pork fried rice, play with toy cars, and spend time with his family! His father is in the army, and his mother stays home to look after Thi and his two older siblings. Thi is experiencing a condition called strabismus in both eyes. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eye that is caused by injury or dysfunction in the eye's associated nerves and muscles. Without treatment, the condition can lead to issues with depth perception and double vision. Thi's family traveled to our medical partner's care center so he can receive treatment. On March 1st, surgeons will perform a corrective procedure to align Thi's eyes. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $331 to fund this procedure. Thi's dad shared: "I want my son to start school and have good vision."

Douby is a 17 year old student, living with his Godmother and her family in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Douby enjoys going to school, and aspires to attain a PhD in agronomy, and to become a professor. As a result of rheumatic fever that he suffered as a child, Douby has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Two of his four heart valves were severely damaged by the rheumatic fever, and his heart cannot adequately pump blood through his body, leaving him sick and short of breath. The care Douby needs is not available in Haiti so he urgently will fly to the United States to receive treatment on February 28th at Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital. He will undergo emergency cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair both damaged valves; if the valves cannot be repaired, they will be removed, and artificial valves will be implanted in their place. While another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $20,000.00 to help pay for Douby's surgery, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs for the surgery prep and transport support, including lab tests; medicines, and follow up appointments. The money will alsosupport the passport and travel expenses for the social workers that will accompany Douby and his family to the U.S. Douby was able to share: "I am looking forward to being stronger and healthier once my heart can be repaired!"

Soktha is a 32-year-old man from Cambodia. He is married with two children. His son is seven years old and in first grade, while his daughter is one year old and stays home with his wife. Soktha sells bread at the local market. At home in his free time, he likes to play football, read books, and play with his children. For the past three years, Soktha has been experiencing pain and swelling in his left jaw. He visited a local hospital and underwent biopsies, which showed that he has a benign tumor and chronic inflammation in the tissue around his jaw. As a result of this condition, Soktha experiences pain, cannot open his mouth, and has difficulty eating and drinking. When Soktha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 5th, doctors will perform a mandibulectomy and fibula free-flap reconstruction. After recovery, Soktha hopes to be pain-free and able to open his mouth again. CSC is requesting $991 to fund this procedure, which covers the cost of surgery, hospitalization, and medications. Soktha's family was able to gather $100 to contribute to his care. Soktha said: "I hope I can eat and drink again and get comfortable, so I can feel good again to support my family."