Ma Kyi is a 74-year-old woman who lives with her daughter’s family in Sanpya Village, Ye Township, Mon State, Burma. Her daughter and son-in-law are agricultural day laborers who work in nearby factories and rubber plantations. In August 2018, Ma Kyi noticed that her right toe was swollen. She used traditional medicine, applying leaves onto her toe. A few days later, her toe became very painful. Consequently, Ma Kyi could not sleep at night and lost her appetite. Ma Kyi visited our medical partner's care center and was examined by the doctors. According to the doctors, the blood vessels in her feet are blocked, and the wound cannot heal due to the lack of blood supply. Thus, her doctors decided that the only solution is to amputate her right leg below her knee. Surgery is scheduled for September 4 and will cost $1,500. Ma Kyi says, “As a Buddhist, I want to go to monasteries when I am fully recovered.” Ma Kyi’s daughter adds, “I want my mother to get well as quickly as possible so I can go back home and care for my 11-year-old daughter."

Ma Myint is a 40-year-old woman from Burma. She works as a masseuse, and sometime she helps at the monastery by cleaning and preparing food for the monks. Since July of 2017, Ma Myint has been experiencing abdominal pain, back pain, and discomfort when walking. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Ma Myint's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Ma Myint is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on August 28. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Ma Myint will no longer experience abdominal pain or back pain and she will be able to return home and work again. “I’m always thinking and worrying about my condition and I’m not able to sleep well,” says Ma Myint.