Khaing is a 27-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband and a three-year-old son in a village in Tak Province. Originally from Karen State, Burma, they moved to their current home three years ago in search of better job opportunities. Her husband is a day laborer and she is homemaker. Ten years ago, Khaing started feeling like her nose was blocked and that she could not breathe well. She also had a runny nose and saw a small mass in her nostril while looking at her reflection in the mirror. At the time, Khaing did not go to see a doctor because she could not afford to pay for treatment, and she thought that she would feel better over time. However, four years ago she noticed that the mass had grown. Khaing went to her local hospital in Burma, where the doctor confirmed she had a mass in her nostril and gave her medication for a week. She did not go back to her follow-up appointment as she had run out of money. She then tried to treat herself with traditional medicine unsuccessfully as the mass continued to increase in size. In the beginning of May 2020, Khaing developed a severe headache and pain in her nose. The area around her nose also became swollen. She went to Mae Tao Clinic for treatment, where the medic found large masses in both of her nasal cavities. She was then taken to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation. At MSH, she received an x-ray of her nose and the doctor told her that the masses were large and surrounded by a lot of pus. After a CT scan, the doctor diagnosed her with a nasal polyp and scheduled her for surgery on December 28th, 2020. Currently, the area around her nose is swollen and painful. Her nostrils feel itchy, her nose is blocked, and has to breathe through her mouth. She still has a headache, though since she received pain medication from the doctor at MSH, this has been less severe. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 28th, Khaing will undergo an endoscopic sinus surgery. Once recovered, she will be able to breathe normally again and her quality of life will significantly improve. Now, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Khaing shared, "I really want to have surgery and feel better. I am not scared because I believe that the surgery will help me be free from headaches and breathe well again."

Born Doun is a 57-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She's married and has two daughters, two sons, and two grandchildren. She lives with her husband who is also a rice farmer and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Born Doun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, irritation eye, a cloudy lens, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Born Doun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On October 12th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Born Doun said, "I hope after my surgery I can recognize everything clearly so I can take care of my grandchildren and join ceremonies at the pagoda."

Ream is a father of six from Cambodia. He has one son, five daughters, fifteen grandchildren, and enjoys watching boxing on television in his spare time. One year ago, Ream developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ream learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for nine and a half hours seeking treatment. Doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to continue planting rice and be able to go outside on my own," shared Ream.

Ndeye is a student from Tanzania. She is the fourth born child in a family of six children, she is a hard working girl and very social both at home and school. She is currently in class three and her favorite subject is mathematics. When she grows up she would like to be a doctor and help sick people. Her parents depend on small scale farmers and livestock keeping for their living. They don’t have much income but just enough to get them by. Ndeye has clubfoot of both her feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Ndeye traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 19. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Ndeye's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. Ndeye’s father says, “Her life will be easier if she able to have her legs corrected. Please help she is struggling so much walking to school.”