“Khaing is a 45-year-old woman who was referred from a clinic in Burma to our treatment centre,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “She has two daughters and one son who are all married and live with their own families. Her husband works as an unloading worker.” BBP tells us that Khaing began noticing abdominal problems two years ago. “She felt a mass in her abdomen when she touched it,” explains BBP. “She first went to the hospital in late 2013 to have her abdomen checked. The doctor performed an ultrasound and said she had a mass in her uterus.” That doctor recommended she travel to another hospital for treatment, but Khaing could not afford it. As it has gone untreated, the mass has been getting larger and Khaing is experiencing more pain. Doctors are now recommending surgery. Khaing had to stop working because of her condition, and her husband now only makes minimal income to support them both. It is not enough to cover the costs of treatment. With our support of $1500, Khaing will receive a hysterectomy to remove the mass. She will spend one to two days recovering at the hospital followed by four to six weeks recovering at home. Doctors anticipate that after the surgery, Khaing won’t experience any more pain. She will be able to get back to her family at home. Khaing is ambitious, and is eager to get back to work. “I want to build my own small shop at home and sell some snacks to generate income to be able to help my husband,” she shares with us.

Meet Julia, a dedicated mother of three. Julia is 36 years old and lives with her family in Guatemala. She has been enrolled in a diabetes treatment program with our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), for the past five years. Recently, WK found out that Julia is pregnant with her fourth child. Julia’s diabetes could cause major complications with her pregnancy. Without the appropriate treatment and monitoring, high glucose in the mother’s blood “can increase the risk of birth defects, jaundice, microsomia, or miscarriage,” explains WK. Julia herself is also at risk of future medical complications: kidney and eye damage, as well as a potentially lethal condition of high blood pressure called preeclampsia—one that can lead to swelling, headache, seizures and disruption of blood flow in the placenta. According to WK, “Julia is the main breadwinner in her family” as she sells tortillas from her house to support her children. She wakes up at 5 AM to gather wood behind her house to prepare a fire for making the tortillas. With the financial strain of supporting her three young children and maintaining the household, Julia is unable to afford the medical care she and her new baby will need to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery. “With Watsi donor support our team will assist Julia in multiple ways,” explains WK. “She will receive extra attention from our nursing staff to ensure her glucose levels stay at a normal level. Our staff will work with her to prepare for a hospital birth, and up until the due date she will receive regular ultrasounds and prenatal check ups.” Blood work and transportation to the hospital will also be covered, ensuring that Julia and her baby have the appropriate health care for the whole birthing process. For $310, Julia and her new baby will have the care and attention they need for a safe pregnancy and delivery. With a healthy delivery and the care she needs to successfully manage her diabetes, Julia will be able support her young children as they grow up!