Kaw Naung is a 32-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, parents, and a nine-month-old son in a village in Karen State, Burma. Everyone in his family are farmers except for his wife, a homemaker. They also raise cows, chickens, and pigs for their consumption. They also forage for vegetables and have a vegetable garden. In his free time, Kaw Naung enjoys playing with his son. In January 2024, Kaw Naung and a relative were hunting in the forest. That evening, Kaw Naung was walking when he was shot in the leg. As it was dark, Kaw Naung was mistaken for a boar. He was immediately taken to a local hospital where he was treated for a fractured left femur. Despite receiving treatment, the fracture did not heal properly. This impacted Kaw Naung's ability to work and walk and has to use a walker to get around. He also experiences some pain when standing up or sitting down. He cannot bend his left knee. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Kaw Naung will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for December 6th and will cost $1,500. This surgery will help him walk and work again. Kaw Naung said, "Since my left leg was injured in the accident, I cannot walk properly and I cannot farm. My wife and my parents have to look after me and do everything for me. I hope that I can go back to work soon so that I can help my parents as they are also getting old and cannot work much on the farm."

Chit is a 20-year-old student from Burma. She is a medic student who lives with other trainees in a dormitory in Tak Province, Thailand. After completing the training, she will move back home and live with her parents and siblings. Her parents and two older siblings are farmers while her younger sister is a student. Her younger brother looks after the family's chicken, pigs, and cows. Her family does not have a regular income, but they sell one of their livestock when they need money. In her free time, Chit enjoys playing volleyball with her friends, cleaning, watching movies, and reading the news on her phone. In early 2024, Chit started to experience pain in her right breast. In July 2024, while studying about breast cancer, she examined her breast and felt a mass in her right breast. She noted that the pain in her breast could be a sign of breast cancer. She went to a clinic where she had an ultrasound and was referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital, for further investigation. She is worried about her condition which has led to affecting her ability to sleep and an inability to focus on her studies. On December 11th, surgeons will remove the mass. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Chit's procedure. Chit said, “I did not let my parents know about my condition because I was worried that they might borrow money to help pay for my treatment, and then they would be in debt. I don’t have money myself as well so I felt very stressed when I learned that I would need surgery. Now, I am relieved that BCMF and the donors will cover the surgery cost for me. Thank you so much for your support.”

Nwe is a 44-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband, and they both work as migrant school teachers. During her free time, Nwe enjoys watching movies on her phone. Nwe was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Valves control the flow of blood between the chambers of the heart, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long term damage to the heart and lungs. Nwe experiences rapid heartbeat, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. This prevents her from engaging in physical activities. Nwe is scheduled to undergo a valve replacement surgery on December 13th. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is requesting $1,500 to fund her procedure and care. Once completed, Nwe will be able to live more comfortably. Nwe said, "I can’t sleep at night because I am worried about paying for my surgery because I don't have enough money. I feel very sad because I cannot help my husband with the household chores, and I can’t teach my students since my condition has worsened. However, I'm very happy and I feel relieved now. I would love to say thank you to BCMF and donors for giving me a chance to recover."

Ma Pyae lives with her mother, brother, sister, and niece in Yangon Division, Burma. She works in a sewing factory, her younger sister is a day laborer, and her older brother is unemployed due to illness. Her mother is a homemaker, and her niece is a student. Their combined family income is enough to cover their daily expenses, but they cannot afford expensive surgery. Ma Pyae was born with a congenital heart defect, but her condition has deteriorated, and she has experienced fast breathing, heart palpitations, and cannot sleep. She went to see the doctor, received an echocardiogram, and was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect that affects the blood flowing through the lungs. Ma Pyae needs surgery as soon as possible. She still experiences heart palpitations and fast breathing if she is more active or walks a longer distance. She cannot sleep well at night because of her heart palpitations. Ma Pyae said, "I am a bit worried about my surgery, and I also worry that I will lose my job in the factory. After I recover from my surgery, I will continue to work in the same factory and contribute to my family."

Thwe is a 55-year-old woman from Thailand. She is a part-time housemaid. She lives with her friends and in her free time likes to watch TV. Thwe has localized periodontitis and a suspected malignant ulcer in her right lower gum. Her biopsy result shows a malignant lesion. Her doctor has recommended she undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images are taken from several angles and combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Currently, she still feels pain in her teeth and gum. At times, the ulcer bleeds. As a result, she can only eat liquid and semisolid food as it is difficult to chew. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Thwe receive treatment. On January 19th, Thwe will undergo a CT scan where she will receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Thwe needs help raising $414 to fund this care. Thwe cried as she shared, "I feel sad as soon as I heard about my condition. My friends encourage me a lot. I would love to say thank you because I even thought about giving up if there is no one to help me.”

Kyi is a 57-year-old woman from Burma. She is a health worker at a clinic in Karen State and is attending the emergency obstetric care (EmOC) training in Thailand. Her husband volunteers in the community, working closely with the Karen Forestry Department. He also helps with the household chores, grows rice and vegetables, and raises chickens for their consumption. In her free time, Kyi enjoys staying at the clinic, treating patients, and talking to her patients and colleagues. Currently, Kyi is experiencing back and abdominal pain, fatigue, and other worrisome symptoms. The doctors want Kyi to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Kyi's CT scan and care, which is scheduled for February 23rd. Kyi said: "I came here to attend the training for one month, but with this condition, I don't enjoy the training, and I have missed training many days so I cannot understand the lesson well."

Poe is a 43-year-old man who lives alone in Bangkok and works as a construction contractor. He supports his wife and son in Burma, but has been unable to work for the past four months since his health deteriorated. Currently, he is getting by on money his friends have given him. Poe was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, he has edema (swelling) in both of his legs. If he walks short distances, he feels tired, experiences shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. He cannot sleep if he lays down and has to sleep in a sitting position. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Poe. The treatment is scheduled to take place on May 6th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. "After I recover from surgery, I will go back to work. I will save the money to pay back my debts. After that I will save money to support my son and wife. I want my son to go to school, and I want him to become an educated man," said Poe.