Eh is a 16-year-old boy who lives with his parents and cousin in the refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand. His family receives 1,180 baht (approx. 39 USD) every month on a food card from the organization The Border Consortium. This amount is not enough to cover their daily needs despite receiving free basic health care and education in the camp. To help make ends meet, Eh’s father works as a security guard in the camp too, earning 800 baht (approx. 27 USD) in a month. In addition to this, Eh’s mother and cousin work as day labourers whenever they find work. Eh also works with them during his summer vacations. In May, Eh climbed up a ladder to lay down and rest in a bamboo hut on stilts. While trying to sit down, one of the bamboo sticks rolled out from under him and Eh fell through the floor of the hut. Putting out his left arm subconsciously to break his fall, Eh ended up landing on that arm. Currently, Eh's arm is in a sling and he is taking pain medication to control the pain. If he moves his left arm or tries to lift his arm, he feels a lot of pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Eh will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for May 28th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Eh be able to use his arm again and he will no longer be in pain after surgery. Eh shared, “I want to become a literature teacher as it is my favorite subject. After surgery, I hope that I can go back to school with my arm healed."

Yorn is an 81-year-old retired farmer. He has three sons and three daughters. He also has several young grandchildren who visit him often. He lives with his wife and his youngest daughter, who is also a farmer. Since retiring, he spends most of his time taking care of his grandchildren, and traveling with his wife and daughter to local pagodas. Eight years ago, Yorn developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and irritation. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled there with his daughter seeking treatment. On May 14th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Yorn shared, "I hope that after my surgery my daughter will not have to do so much work to help me. I hope I can take good care of my grandchildren, and take better care of myself. I want to go with my wife to travel to pagodas."

Imran is a charming and friendly four-year-old boy. He lives with his grandfather, mother, and siblings at his grandfather's home. Imran has clubfoot of the left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Imran receive treatment. He visited AMH's care center where, on July 6th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery. Now, AMH is requesting $935 to fund Imran's procedure. After treatment, Imran will be able to walk without difficulty and wear shoes. Imran's grandfather shared, "there is no day my grandson doesn’t say to me, grandfather I want to wear shoes like my friends. Please help my grandchild."

Samuel is a 53-year-old fisherman. He is a father of two children aged 18 and 16 years old. He separated from his wife 5 years ago, and has been taking care of the children since the separation. In December 2020, Samuel was pricked by a poisonous thorn on his foot, which left a wound running from his foot to ankle that has become severely infected. He is in pain and unable to walk comfortably. The wound threatens his mobility and could result in amputation if not urgently attended to. Initially, Samuel tried treating the wound with herbs, but there was no improvement. He visited a nearby mission facility for a checkup and dressing, where doctors treated and washed the wound, but it continued to worsen. On April 1st, Samuel was driven by a well-wisher to our medical partner's care center Kijabe Hospital and upon review, doctors recommended an urgent debridement and skin grafting surgery. However, the cost of care is difficult for Samuel to afford. He had been depending on support from the local missionaries to pay for his previous medical bills and medication. Samuel appeals for financial support. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Samuel receive treatment. On April 2nd, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to clean off the wound and prevent further infection. Now, Samuel needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Samuel shared, “This wound is worsening by the day. I currently limp but I might lose the leg if I don’t get some surgical intervention. My fishing venture cannot even pay for the surgery.”

Glory is a charming four-year-old girl and the firstborn child in a family of two children. Glory’s mother is house mother, while her father provides for the family through his work at construction sites. Glory was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, which means that her legs bow inwards and her knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often comes from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Glory has difficulty walking and experiences pain after playing all day. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Glory. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 4th and treatment will hopefully restore Glory's mobility, allowing her to participate in a variety of activities and greatly decreasing her risk of future complications. Glory’s mother shared, "we have tried medication, but it has not helped. Our daughter now needs surgery but the cost of treatment is too high for us to afford. Please help."

Shoh is a 47-year-old man who lives with his wife, two sons, daughter-in-law and two daughters in Nu Poe Refugee Camp in Thailand. In the camp, Shoh and his oldest son are teachers who teach about the Quran for other refugees. They each earn 1,200 baht (approx. 40 USD) per month. His wife is often sick, and his eldest daughter has to look after her at home. His daughter-in-law is a homemaker while his youngest daughter and son are students. Shoh’s household receives 1,110 baht (approx. 37 USD) every month on a cash card to purchase rations in the camp. Their monthly household income is just enough to cover their daily expenses as they also receive free basic health care and education in the camp. Since February 2020, Shoh has had umbilical hearnia. Currently, Shoh’s abdomen pain is not severe but his hernia is still increasing in size. He feels uncomfortable when he walks because of his swollen abdomen. He cannot sleep well and is increasingly worried about his diagnosis. The pain in his abdomen increases when he feels cold, especially at night. Fortunately, on March 9th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Shoh's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 9th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Shoh said, “I do not want to stop being a teacher. I love teaching the Quran to young children. Also, if I do not teach, I do not earn an income and my family does not have enough income to cover our household expenses.”

Mach is a 70-year-old grandmother with one daughter, one son, and four grandchildren. She lives in a remote province of the northwest of Cambodia with her nephew. Mach used to be a bacon seller, but now she cannot work because she cannot see well. Her husband passed away in the Khmer Rouge regime. In her spare time, she likes to listen to monks preaching on the radio. One year ago, Mach stopped seeing normally out of her left eye. The retina of Mach's left eye had detached, causing her partial blindness. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Mach learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 4th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Mach shared, "I hope I can see well again, I am afraid now. I want to take care of myself, and go back to join ceremonies at my pagoda."

Phors is a 21-year-old construction worker--the youngest in his family with two brothers and two sisters. Phors lives at home with his parents. His mother is a cleaner and his father is a farmer. When he is not building houses, Phors enjoys playing football, listening to music, and playing games on his phone. On March 28th, Phors was in a motor vehicle accident and fractured his left mandible and right femur. It is difficult for him to open his mouth or eat ever since. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 8th, Phors will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will help him to use his mouth easily again and be on the road to recovery and healing. Phors shared, "I hope I can return to work without pain and will be able to easily eat or drink."

Yousrim is a 57-year-old farmer who breeds chickens and ducks to sell. Last year, she suffered trauma to her right ear when insect flew into her ear. For three days she tried remove it but was unsuccessful. She self-treated by inserting rubbing alcohol in her ear and told us that it became really painful for her. Ever since then, she has ear discharge, ringing in her ear (tinnitus), and hearing loss. Yoursim's son says he has to speak close to his mother's ear for her to understand him. Yousrim lives with her husband, and has two daughters, one son, and one grandson. In her free time, she likes to play with her grandchild, and watch TV. Yousrim traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 20th, she will undergo surgery on her right ear. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure, covering medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Yoursim is optimistic that after the surgery she will stop having ear infections and discharge, the noise in her ear will go away, and her hearing will improve.

Ratha is a 38-year-old construction worker who has been proudly married to his wife for eighteen years and is the father of three very active sons, who all attend school. In his free time, Ratha likes to exercise, watch TV, and have a beer with his friends. In December 2020, Ratha was in a motor vehicle accident that crushed his left arm. His family took him to a government hospital for care, but unfortunately he has still not recovered from the accident. He cannot move his hand or flex his elbow, and he has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left hand side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Currently, Ratha has no movement in his hand and is unable to lift his arm, which also causes him severe pain during the night. Since the accident, he has been unable to work. Ratha traveled to our Medical Partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to receive treatment. On March 3rd, Ratha will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After his recovery from the procedure, he will be able to use his arm again. CSC is requesting $696 to fund the cost of Ratha's procedure. Ratha is hopeful that after the procedure, he will be able to use his hand again soon and provide support for his family.