KBC Hospital

Daw Kyi is a 66-year-old woman who lives with her daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter in Ayarwaddy Division, Burma. Daw Kyi is retired, and her daughter is a homemaker. Her granddaughter is a student, and her son-in-law works as a taxi driver, but his income is insufficient to cover their family's basic needs or basic health care. Last year, she became aware of blurred vision in her right eye. However, she dismissed it as normal. By last December, her condition worsened, resulting in impaired vision and excessive tearing in her right eye. She confided in her daughter, who promptly took her to the nearest hospital. There, she underwent an eye examination and was diagnosed with a cataract in her right eye. Surprisingly, the doctor did not recommend surgery but instead prescribed eye drops and oral medication for one month. Unfortunately, her symptoms did not improve, and due to financial constraints, she could not return to the hospital for further treatment and did not seek medical care after that. On May 27th, 2023, she became increasingly aware that her condition was deteriorating. Her vision was becoming significantly more blurred, to the point where she could only perceive things faintly. Despite being aware of her worsening condition and the likelihood of requiring surgery, she faced the unfortunate reality that she could not afford the cost of the necessary medical treatment. As a result, she decided to avoid going to the hospital. Currently, Daw Kyi has tearing and blurred vision in her right eye. She will need someone to guide her while walking long distances and on the way to the bathroom. She feels sad and depressed since she can not see clearly and can not pay for surgery even though she wants to get treatment. Thankfully, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is determined to help restore Daw Kyi's vision by performing a lens replacement surgery. To make this possible, they are reaching out for your support in funding the procedure, which amounts to $769. Your contribution would play a significant role in enabling Daw Kyi to regain her vision and improve her quality of life. Daw Kyi said, "In the future, after seeing again, I will go back and look after my granddaughter and stay with my daughter at home."

Daw Khin is a widow who lives with her three children in Yangon, Burma. She now stays at home and her elder son is often sick and unable to work. Her younger son is a day laborer, and her youngest daughter is a salesperson. The income they earn is only enough for daily expenses, and there is no extra money for basic healthcare. In March, Daw Khin began experiencing blurry vision and difficulty seeing clearly with her left eye. Despite the absence of pain or discharge from both eyes, she could not seek medical attention due to financial constraints. As her vision deteriorated, she acquired some funds from her children and visited an ophthalmologist at KBC Hospital on June 5th. The doctor diagnosed her with glaucoma in both eyes and emphasized the urgent need for eye surgery in her left eye to prevent blindness. Fortunately, Daw Khin contacted a monk from Kyaung Gyi Parahita Monastery in Yangon, who referred her to the Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Now, Daw Khin seeks assistance to raise the required $769 for the procedure, significantly improving her quality of life and restoring her confidence. Currently, she cannot read books, watch TV, or walk alone as she cannot see her surroundings. She and her family are apprehensive about her eye condition and are afraid of her becoming blind and depressed about not having enough money for further treatment. Daw Khin said, "I am thankful for the support from donors and BCMF for my eye operation's cost. If there is no BCMF and donors, I will be blinded, and there is no hope for me to regain my vision. I can't thank you enough for helping me, and I pray the organization will be more successful in the future."

Regina is a 42-year-old mother of four from Burma. She is a hardworking homemaker. During her free time, she enjoys walking around the neighborhood. Regina has been diagnosed with a gallbladder condition, resulting back and abdominal pain, yellowing of her skin, and other worrisome symptoms. The medications the doctors have provided her have not worked. If left untreated, Regina's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. She has therefore been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Regina is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on May 22nd. BCMF is requesting $1,487 to cover the total cost of Regina's procedure and care. Regina said “I am glad to receive help from BCMF for my operation. I am also very thankful to you for helping patients who can't afford surgery. I hope my operation goes well.”

Nant is a 47-year-old woman from Burma who lives with her husband and three sons. Her husband is a pastor, she is a homemaker, and her three sons are students. Nant has gallstones and common bile duct stones, which cause loss of appetite and poor sleep. She also feels weak and cannot walk as much as she could before. Nant has received medication and injections, which have helped to lessen the pain in her back and abdomen and decrease jaundice. However, only surgery can help her recover. Nant has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Nant's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Nant is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on March 6th. BCMF is requesting $1,487 to cover the total cost of Nant's procedure and care. Nant said, “I have been praying for this miracle. I am very thankful to [BCMF] for their kindness in supporting me and my family. Now, I will pray for my surgery to be a successful one. I am looking forward to a full recovery from this condition because I want to continue serving God together with my husband and children.”

Oo is a 52-year-old man from Burma, living with his wife and daughter. Oo's wife is a day laborer, while his daughter works as a salesperson in a store. Oo is unemployed because of health issues, but he enjoys growing vegetables, and guarding the entrance gate of the village. In the midst of the rainy season in July, Oo placed his belongings on a friend's bullock cart, and went to climb on top of the cart to ride. As he was preparing to climb onto the cart, it suddenly jerked forward, throwing Oo to the ground, and injuring his right arm. After a week had gone by, Oo, who was experiencing significant pain in his arm, traveled to a local free clinic, where he was given a shot to ease the discomfort. He was told that he would need to have the injury investigated further at a hospital in Yangon. In October, Oo's arm was X-rayed at the Karen Baptist Convention Hospital in Yangon, and it was determined that the bone in his arm had been broken, and had never healed properly. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Oo will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones on October 25th, at Karen Baptist Convention Hospital. This surgery will promote the complete and correct healing of the fracture, enabling Oo to lift his arm without pain, and to return to work. Oo needs your help to raise the $885 for this procedure. Oo said: “I am very worried that the doctor will not be able to treat me because I sought treatment so late. It is so difficult to go to Yangon because I live in a conflict area and there are a lot of travel restrictions."

Yi is a 67-year-old woman from Bruma who lives in a monastery with 40 other monks, nuns, and villagers. Although she does not have an income, all of her basic needs are met by the monastery. Yi enjoys spending most of her time reading religious books. Over 15 years ago, Yi's vision in her right eye became blurred, but she did not seek treatment because she thought it was simply something that was destined to occur due to her aging process. However, she eventually sought medical care at a hospital with the support of donors because her vision progressively worsened. There, she was diagnosed with a cataract and was scheduled to undergo repair surgery. On the day she was supposed to receive treatment, her son unfortunately passed away, so she did not return to the hospital for the procedure. Over the next couple of years, Yi began to also experience blurred vision in her left eye. The vision in both of her eyes deteriorated to the point where she could no longer recognize people. Fortunately, she was able to undergo cataract surgery of her left eye two months ago with the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Now, she is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery on August 10th. During this procedure, surgeons will perform a lens replacement on her right eye. BCMF is requesting $769 to cover the total cost of Yi's procedure and care. Yi shares, "As long as I am alive, I want to see and I do not want to depend on others to help me. I felt so happy when I learned that donors will pay for the cost of my surgery. Thank you so much to all the donors.”

Ma Ei is a 37-year-old woman who lives with and financially supports her parents and son in a village in Burma. Over the last year, Ma El has suffered from a debilitating uterine mass, which causes her severe pain and weakness. She was given medications for six months to try to help, but she did not feel any better. In January, Ma Ei went to Karen Baptist Convention (KBC) Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a myoma. Doctors shared that to heal she would need surgery to remove her uterus. She is now raising $1,207 to fund her surgery and care, which is scheduled for May 18th. Ma Ei says, “I am worried that I cannot support and care for my family. When I recover from surgery, I will go back to work in the garment factory. I need to support my parents and pay for my son’s education."

Steph is a 38-year-old man who lives with his parents and younger brother in a village in Burma. He works as a driver, while his father works in a nursing home and his mother is a homemaker. His younger brother attends university and also volunteers in the nursing home. In his free time, Steph like to grow vegetables in the garden and to help repair cars. In July 2021, Steph began experiencing pain on the right side of his abdomen. He bought medication from the pharmacy and felt better for a few months, but unfortunately, his symptoms returned. He visited a local hospital for examination, and he was diagnosed with gallstones. His doctor recommended that he undergo surgery to remove the stones. When he was admitted for the procedure, his doctors also diagnosed him with appendicitis. He is nauseous, has a fever, and cannot sleep well due to the pain in his abdomen. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping Steph receive appendectomy treatment, a surgery to remove his appendix. Now, he needs help raising $914 to fund his procedure and care. Steph shared, "I feel very upset because I can’t work and support my parents who are old. Sometimes, when I thought about my condition and where I could receive [and pay for] surgery, I would cry by myself."

Naw Mu is a 44-year-old mother of two children from Burma. She lives with her daughter and son. Her daughter goes to school, while her son stays home with her. Naw Mu used to work as a day laborer, but stopped working last year when her health began to decline. Since then, her sister, who works as a pastor, has supported the family. In the summer of 2018, Naw Mu was tying sheafs of freshly harvested paddy when she experienced a sudden shooting pain in her abdomen and chest, along with other uncomfortable symptoms. From then on, she experienced abdominal pain whenever she worked hard or lifted something heavy. For the next four years, Naw Mu visited many clinics and hospitals, and was finally diagnosed with an umbilical hernia and high blood pressure. She experiences dizziness, nausea, and abdominal and joint pain. She also has little appetite, and has difficulty sleeping or sitting for long periods of time. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping Naw Mu access treatment. On April 8th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at BCMF's care center. Now, she needs help raising $991 to fund her procedure and care. After recovery, hopefully her symptoms will subside and she can live comfortably. Naw Mu shared, "I was so happy when I heard that I have donors who could assist with the cost of my surgery! I really want to say thank you to the donors and everyone who helped me search for a donor."

Daw Than is 54-year-old woman who lives with her husband, son, daughter-in-law, grandson, daughter and her son-in-law. Her daughter-in-law looks after her son, while the rest of her family makes and sells different types of breakfast food from their home to earn a living. Their income is just enough for their daily expenses, but they haven't been able to save any money. Five years ago, the vision in Daw Than's left eye began to blur. In 2021 she underwent surgery to replace the lens in that eye but soon after the surgery, she developed blurred vision in her right eye. She went to the hospital last week to have her right eye checked. The doctor told her she needs to undergo lens replacement surgery on that eye. She told the doctor that their family had used all the money that had for her first surgery so she went home feeling uncertain about the future. Later on, Daw Than's neighbour told her to go to a monastery where the abbot might be able to help her access surgery. Daw Than followed the neighbour's advice and went to see the abbot. The abbot then referred her to our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund for assistance accessing the surgery she needs. Daw Than's daughter said, "We do not have any money to pay for my mother's surgery. It is very helpful for us that the organisation and donors are hopefully willing to help pay for it."

Steph lives with his parents and younger brother in a village in Burma. Steph's father works at a nursing home, where his brother also volunteers. Steph is a driver, and his mother is a homemaker. In his free time, Steph likes to grow vegetables and help to repair cars for others in his village. In July 2021, Steph felt pain in the right side of his abdomen, which he was able to treat with medicine from a local pharmacy. Last month, however, his pain returned while he was delivering supplies. He shared with us that he was unable to safely drive home due to nearby military conflict, and was trapped away from home and in pain for two weeks. When Steph finally made it to the hospital, he learned he needed surgery to remove several gallbladder stones. The stones interfere with Steph's breathing and cause severe abdominal pain. He also has jaundice and difficulty sleeping. Fortunately, his doctor was able to schedule a cholecystectomy to remove the stones on February 3rg. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is requesting $1,487 to fund his surgery. Once recovered, Steph will be pain-free and able to return to work and enjoying time with his family. Steph shared,"I prayed every day that I would get a donor to cover the cost of my surgery, and I feel like my prayers have been answered. I am so happy! I would like to say thank you so much to all the donors. I will never forget what you have done for me, and I hope that one day I can help and volunteer to drive [BCMF] staff in Burma.”