"Awar sells snacks for a living," says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). "On average, she makes around $2 per day. However, because she has two children to feed, she accepts half of her day's earnings in rice and the other half in money." Awar is a 37-year-old single mother from Burma. About three years ago, she was diagnosed with bladder stones and underwent surgery. Her condition has since returned. "Awar is experiencing urine obstruction, abdominal and back pain, nausea and diarrhea," says BBP. "She is very sad to be in the same situation again but is hopeful she can get the surgery she needs and be finished with urological problems for good." For $1,500, BBP can treat Awar and allow her relief from symptoms, as well as give her the chance to work and generate income again. Since seeking treatment in Thailand she has had to stop working and be apart from her two children. This trip to receive treatment has now put her into debt. Awar has big dreams for the future -- she hopes to move to Bangkok with her children, where there are more opportunities for work and education. "It hurts Awar to not be able to provide for her children the way she wants to with her present circumstance," says BBP. "She believes Bangkok will be the chance she and her children need to live a better and happy life." Let's help make it happen for her!

Mary is a 23-year-old woman from Kenya. She is the proud mother of a handsome toddler for whom she would do anything. She dropped out of school to care for him, but now a toxic goiter, or enlarged thyroid gland, is preventing her from caring for him fully. Because of her condition, Mary is unable to eat. She's losing weight every day, but these challenges haven't dulled her hope for the future. "I long to live long enough to see my baby grow up to be a successful independent man and to accomplish the things in life that I failed to accomplish.” Mary and her husband are on a tight budget -- especially with Mary now unable to work. Our medical partner in Kenya is seeking $750 to cover the cost of surgery to remove Mary's goiter. They expect this treatment will allow Mary to continue raising her child to be a healthy and successful young man. Let's make it happen for her!