Pai is a 63-year-old woman who lives alone in a refugee camp in the border region of Thailand and Burma. She receives 350 baht (approx. $12 USD) each month on a cash card from The Border Consortium, to purchase food in the refugee camp. This support is just enough to cover her daily needs, since she sometimes shares meals with her sister. In June 2019, Pai first notice that the vision in both of her eyes was blurry. By late 2021, she could no longer see with her left eye. She then went to the hospital in the refugee camp, run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). A medic checked her eyes, gave her some eyedrops, and told her that they would refer her to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further follow up. IRC staff brought Pai to the hospital in January where the doctor completed a vision test and also checked her eyes with specialized equipment. The doctor diagnosed her with cataracts and shared that she would need surgery to be able to see clearly again. Currently, Pai can only see objects near to her with her right eye and even then, she cannot see objects clearly. She can only perceive light with her left eye. When she walks, she has to do so slowly to avoid stubbing her toes on stones and other objects. At night, she now needs someone to assist her to get around at all. She also has difficulty cleaning her house and doing other household chores like washing her clothes or cooking. She shared that when she tries to cook on her own, she will sometimes mixed up the ingredients now. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Pai. On February 22nd, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Pai's natural lens and replace this with an intraocular lens implant. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Pai said, “I do not want to depend on my sister as she has to look after her family too. However, now I have to depend on her for many things and I feel sad about this.” Pai is thankful to the donors who can help pay for her treatment cost. She is very happy that there will be a donor for her. She said, “I hope that I can see again, and I really want to see the donors and everyone at BCMF’s organisation who was willing to help me. Thank you so much for your kind support.”

Yen is a 65-year-old widowed rice farmer. She has two sons and six grandchildren. She shared that her husband passed away many years ago, so she lives with her youngest son. Yen no longer works in the rice field and instead enjoys playing with her grandchildren and listening to monks on her radio. Two years ago, Yen developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking. As a result, she is unable to go places on her own. When Yen learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On January 18th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Yen shared, "After surgery, I hope I will see well. I want to be able to go to the pagoda and take care of my grandchildren well."

Yoeng is a 72-year-old retired rice farmer. She has four younger siblings including one brother and three sisters. She lives with her disabled sister, and is supported by her niece and the kindness of her neighbors. She likes to visit her local pagoda to wash dishes and chop vegetables for the monks. At home, she and her sister listen to the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Yoeng developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her tearing, sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yoeng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 9th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Yoeng shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly. I can recognize faces and go outside more. I want to take care of myself and my sister well."

Sam Oeun is a 41-year-old bus driver. He is married and has one son and two daughters. His wife is a food seller. At home, Sam Oeun enjoys watching boxing on TV. Two years ago, Sam Oeun developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him burning, itchiness, and discomfort with his appearance. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Sam Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled there hoping for treatment. Sam Oeun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal growth and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of his procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for June 16th. Sam Oeun shared, "I hope after surgery my eye feels comfortable so I can go back to work and not worry about my eye anymore."

Kundibandiho is a 31-year-old farmer and a married father of three children. He and his wife earn a living through small-scale farming. For three years, Kundibandiho has had a right inguinal hernia. He experiences pain, especially when doing strenuous work or taking a long walk. The hernia has affected his ability to farm, and Kundibandiho is afraid that without treatment, he could be at risk of complications like strangulation. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Kundibandiho to receive treatment. On June 8th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center. Now, AMH is requesting $230 to fund his surgery. Once complete, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Kundibandiho shared, “I hope my health shall be restored after this surgery. I have had this condition for a long time.”

Dylan is a bright 12-year-old student who enjoys reading and playing football. He is the only child in his family and his mother is a single mom who works for the county government part-time. In 2015, Dylan's left foot began to bend slightly. As Dylan has grown, the leg has worsened, affecting his mobility. When playing with friends and running around during football, he often falls. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 6th, Dylan is scheduled to undergo angular deformity correction surgery. After the surgery, he will be able to walk well and play again without any difficulty. Now, AMH is requesting $1,224 to fund Dylan's surgery. Dylan's mother shared,“ I am appealing for support to help my son undergo surgery, thank you so much."

Solita is a 3-year-old from Cambodia. She is the only child in her family. Her mother is a factory worker, while her father repairs motors. Solita likes to play with toys and watch cartoons on TV. Overall, Solita is in good health, but has some problems with her left hand. Two years ago, she was burned by fire on her left fingers. After the accident, her family took her to a provincial hospital, where she was treated with medicine and dressings for 10 days. Unfortunately, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the finger. It is difficult for her to use her hand, and she cannot carry or hold anything. When Solita's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled there hoping for treatment. On February 3rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use her fingers easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Her parents shared, "We hope our daughter's fingers will be better and the procedure will improve her ability to do daily activities."

Bamwoya is a charcoal maker from Uganda and a married father to eight children, three sons and five daughters. All his children are married and are now small-scale farmers. Bamwoya shared that he wasn't able to finish school after the third grade as his family did not have funds for school fees. He currently earns a living from making charcoal and his wife is a small scale farmer. Since three years ago, Bamwoya has had bilateral inguinal hernia. He experiences pain bending or standing for a long time, which makes his day to day tasks and working challenging for him. Fortunately, on January 5th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $230 to fund Bamwoya's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Bamwoya says: “I have faith and believe that once my surgery is done, I will be well and able to continue with making charcoal.”

Tumuhairwe is a small-scale farmer from Uganda and is a widow since 2000. She was left with nine children; all are now married and self-employed but unable to help out financially for her surgery. Since six months ago, Tumuhairwe has had a supraumbilical hernia on the anterior rectus abdominus. The hernia causes her pain and discomfort and she is not able to work on her farm as she used to. Fortunately, on August 11th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $230 to fund Tumuhairwe's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Tumuhairwe shared: “I have pain and discomfort. If I can be treated, I will be grateful and resume cultivation since it’s where I earn my living.”

Soursdey is an 18-year-old student from Cambodia. She has one brother and three sisters. Soursdey's parents are farmers who grow rice and raise chickens. Her three older siblings are married, and her younger sister is a 10th grade student. Two years ago, Soursdey developed exostosis, or a benign growth of bone on top of existing bone, on her right femur. The mass has grown over time, and it has become more physically noticeable. It causes Soursdey to feel pain whenever she stands or walks. Soursdey traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 21st, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the growth. Now, Soursdey's family needs help to raise $231 to fund her procedure. Soursdey shared, "I really hope this surgery can fix this problem so I can walk and move without pain."

Iv is a 74-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons and seven grandchildren. Her husband passed away three years ago, so she is living with her second son, who is also a farmer. She used to help him with the farm work, but since her vision has deteriorated, her ability to work is limited. In her free time she cooks and listens to the radio. Four years ago, Iv developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Iv learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for seven hours by taxi seeking treatment. On July 9th, 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. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Iv shared, "I want to see well so I can be more independent and travel by myself."

Ree is a 44-year-old man who lives with his wife, two sons, and his daughter in Mae Ra Ma Laung Refugee Camp in Thailand. Ree and his family used to live in a village in Hpa-pun Township in Karen State, Burma. However, due to conflict between armed groups in his area, they fled to the refugee camp in 2006. Every month Ree’s family receives 1,244 baht (approx. 42 USD) from The Border Consortium (TBC), an organization that provides support to refugees in camps. He also works as a caregiver for the elderly in the camp, for the organization Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees. He earns 1,100 baht (approx. 37 USD) each month for this. All of his children go to school in the camp while his wife works as a cook at one of the schools. On March 14, 2020, Ree slipped and fell on his right forearm while he was carrying a heavy load. When he got up, he was not able to move his right hand and he thought he had broken his forearm. Ree did not seek help at the camp’s medical centre and instead wrapped traditional herbal medicine onto his right forearm. As time passed, Ree could still not use his right arm and the pain in his arm did not go away. Eventually, on May 10th, he went to the camp’s hospital, run by Malteser International Thailand (MI). At the hospital, he was diagnosed with a fractured right forearm that had not healed properly. He was referred to the local Mae Sariang Hospital and received an x-ray on May 12th. The result indicated that he had fractured one of the two bones in his forearm. The doctor at the hospital then referred Ree to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Chiang Mai Hospital (CMH) for further management and treatment. The following day, MI staff brought Ree to CMH. Once he met with the doctor, the doctor told him that he will need to receive surgery for his arm to heal properly. Currently, Ree is still in pain and his right arm is sore and not in use. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ree will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for May 21st and will cost $1,500. His arm will no longer be in pain and he hopes he will be able to go back to his old job helping the elderly in the refugee camp. While smiling he said, “I have been struggling to do tasks for the past month without using my right hand which is hard as I am right handed. I cannot wait to use my right arm again!”