"Once I am healthy, I will be able to work hard and save money," Soe Win shares. "I will try to donate to the needy. I can see a brighter future ahead of me. When the rain stops a rainbow will appear in its place." Soe Win is a 30-year-old woman from Burma who “likes to spend her time outside of work at the local monastery, helping the less fortunate any way she can," says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). Soe Win has a uterine myoma -- a condition where uterine muscles develop abnormally and benign tumorous growths called fibroids grow within the uterus. The fibroids increase the pressure on the internal organs, causing abdominal pain. "Soe Win cannot sleep well and it is difficult for her to stand up and sit down," says BBP. Due to this pain, “Soe Win is unable to walk more than a short distance.” “Since she lives alone,” BBP explains, “Soe Win worries that if she does not get better, there will be no one to take care of her.” Though she currently works as a laundress, her income is not enough to pay for the operation she needs. With $1,500, Soe Win will receive a total hysterectomy—a procedure in which her uterus will be removed to prevent the fibroids from returning. “With surgery, Soe Win will not be in pain anymore, and she will be able to sleep well and move around much more easily," BBP adds. Following this procedure, Soe Win is looking forward to being healthy enough to work and go to the temple.

Meet Cho, a 42-year old woman from Burma. Cho lives with her mother, brother, husband and 12-year old adopted son. Until recently, Cho worked in a local tea shop to support her family but over the course of this year, Cho had to stop working due to increasing pain and discomfort from a uterine myoma. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), informs us that in addition to regular fevers, Cho “experiences back pain, stiffness in her legs and numbness in her abdomen." Upon seeking medical advice, Cho received an ultrasound and was diagnosed with uterine myoma, a condition in which fibroid masses develop within the uterus where they may continue to grow and multiply. The necessary treatment is too expensive for her family to afford at this time, due to her inability to work and a recent car accident that left her husband handicapped. “Cho worries about her son’s well-being," says BBP. "She wants to get better and return to work to help her husband recover from the injuries sustained in his accident." For $1,500, Cho will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove her uterus and cervix. This will prevent the uterine fibroids from redeveloping in the future. After surgery and recovery, Cho looks forward to being able to resume working to fulfill her hope of providing for her family without pain.