Tin is a 38-year-old woman from Northern Thailand. She and her husband are agricultural day laborers, and they live in a hut on their employer’s land. They shared that, unfortunately, their earnings are not enough to cover their expenses or to pay for basic healthcare. Since early 2019, Tin has been experiencing dizziness, fatigue, insomnia and pain in her lower abdomen. She was diagnosed with a myoma and has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Tin's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications. Since September 2020, Tin has been unable to work due to her illness. Fortunately, Tin is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on March 23rd. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Tin will no longer experience lower abdominal pain, dizziness or fatigue. She will be able to work again as a day laborer after her treatment. Tin shared, “I am not afraid to undergo surgery because I believe that I will receive successful treatment. I used to pray every day that a donor would help me. Once I have recovered from surgery, I will go back to work so that we can repay our debts. In the future, I would like to stay healthy so that I can work, eat good food, wear beautiful clothes, and earn an income.”

John is a 10-year-old boy from central Kenya. He was recently diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, John has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 30th with assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). John’s mother shared, “Raising money for my son’s surgery is very difficult. Any financial assistance will be highly appreciated.”

Lemayan is a seven-year-old boy from Tanzania and the youngest child in a family of two children. He is a hardworking boy who helps look after his parents' goats. Lemayan walks a long distance every day in search of green pasture and water for his father’s goats. His family comes from a region where the economic activity is livestock keeping; the region is not favorable for farming since it sees very little rainfall. Given the remoteness of the area and their lifestyle as nomadic livestock farmers, most of the children in the area are not able to go school and Lemayan has not had the chance to attend school. One year ago, Lemayan developed a mass on his shoulder. From there, masses developed in different areas of his body. Of greatest concern at the moment, however, is a submandibular mass that is growing quickly. Lemayan experiences pain and discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Lemayan receive treatment. Lemayan traveled to our medical partner's care center and on March 12th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Lemayan needs help to raise $724 to fund the procedure. Lemayan’s mother shared, “finding money to take our son the hospital was a big challenge and that’s why we have not been able to take him. Kindly help my son."

Vortey is a 9-year-old student in grade three. She has a 2-year-old brother, and both of her parents are farmers. Vortey likes to eat vegetables, Khmer soup, and drink coconut juice. When she grows up, she wants to be a nurse. Two weeks ago, Vortey had a severe ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear ear to perforate. For this reason, Vortey experiences bleeding, discharge, and pain in her right ear. Now, she cannot communicate clearly with friends and family. Vortey traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 10th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Vortey's parents shared, "We hope that our daughter will be better after surgery and the procedure will stop the infection. We worry about her every day and want her to recover soon."

Vorn is a 67-year-old farmer with six children and many grandchildren. He lives with his wife and their children all live nearby and farm alongside them. He enjoys taking care of his grandchildren and playing sports with them, and he also loves to cook and listen to the radio. Two years ago, Vorn developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision, irritation, and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Vorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On March 10th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place 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. Vorn shared, "I have not been able to work much since I got this vision problem, so I am excited to get back to work and start playing with my grandchildren again."

Esupat is a 10-year-old girl and the third-born in a family of six children. Esupat is a friendly, social, and hard-working girl. Since she was young, her mother says she has always wanted to give a helping hand to anyone she saw working hard. When Esupat was younger, she was involved in a fire accident. Esupat’s grandmother was about to start a fire when Esupat offered to help instead, so her grandmother went out to clean a pot. When Esupat started the fire, it caught on her clothing around her chest and neck. The resulting burns healed and left her with skin contractures, which limit her neck mobility. It is difficult to move her neck, and she has not attended school since the accident. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Esupat receive treatment. On March 8th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore her neck mobility. Now, she needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Esupat’s mother shared, “Please help my daughter. She feels different because other children make fun of her, and we are even scared to send her to school. Please help her get this treatment."

Ang is a 68-year-old rice farmer with two daughters and seven grandchildren. She is in good health, though she no longer goes to the rice field because of her age. Ang lives with her husband and one of her daughters, who is a grocery seller. She helps her daughter at home with taking care of her grandchildren. When Ang has spare time, she likes to listen to the monks preaching on the radio. Two years ago, Ang developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, blurry vision, and sometimes tearing in her eye. Her condition has worsened significantly in the last three months and now Ang has difficulty seeing things clearly and doing things on her own outside. When Ang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On February 3rd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Ang shared, "I hope after surgery I can see well so I can help my daughter sell groceries, care for my grandchildren, and take care of myself and my husband. Also, I look forward to joining ceremonies at the pagoda again too."