Theary is a 52-year-old teacher from Cambodia. She has two daughters, and enjoys cooking for her family, cleaning the house, and tailoring clothes in her free time. When she was a child, Theary had a serious ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Theary experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, discharge, headaches, and infection. She cannot hear others clearly when they speak, and she often has a difficult time speaking with others. Theary traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 25th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left 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. "I hope that after my surgery, my ear infection will stop and my hearing will improve," she said.

Delvin is a baby boy from Tanzania, and is the second born to his parents. Delvin’s mother has another child who stays with his father in a different region after they separated. She got married to Delvin's father who also had another child. His parents depend on small-scale farming for their living thus their income is very little. Delvin has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Delvin has been experiencing seizures. Without treatment, Delvin will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Delvin that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 11th and will drain the excess fluid from Delvin's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Delvin will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Delvin’s mother says, “Kindly help my son please, we are unable to afford the treatment cost and his health is worsening each day."

Joseph is a bodaboda taxi operator from Kenya. Joseph relies on his motorcycle to make a living. To supplement their limited income, his wife sells charcoal in a small makeshift kiosk. As a father of one, he is worried of not being able to meet his family’s needs. Joseph was involved in a road accident on 31st January 2020 in his hometown, few kilometers from Watsi Medical Partner Kijabe Hospital. The accident left him with multiple fractures on his face and lacerations. He cannot eat and is in constant pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 6th, Joseph will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will be able to chew his food again and no longer suffer pain. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Joseph says, “My hope is to recover quickly and resume my fatherly duties of provision.”

Mary is a smart fifth grade girl from Kenya who aspires to be a pilot. She was diagnosed with adenoids at age one. Her mother would take her daughter to the local hospital and would be given medicine which did not improve her condition. Around July this year, a friend advised that they visit Kijabe Hospital where Mary was diagnosed with adenoids and tonsils and surgery recommended. The surgery, however, was a cost Mary’s parents could not bear. They resigned to fate but hoped someday they would get help. Mary’s parents are both casual cleaners at a company close to where they live with a monthly pay of Kes. 7000 each. The income is barely enough to cater for their family's basic needs. The family of two children lives in a one-room rental house in Nairobi. They hope that their daughter will get the treatment she so needs to improve on her breathing and clogging of her nasal airway. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $779 to fund an adenotonsillectomy for Mary, which is scheduled to take place on December 13th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Mary of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. “I want to be a pilot in future,” shared Mary.

Mai is a 23-year-old woman from Burma. Lway lives with her parents and two sisters in Northern Shan State. Since she was three years old, Mai has suffered from an enlarged thyroid but her parents were able afford to take her to a clinic only when Mai was in grade seven. By then, the lump on Mai's throat has become noticeable. At the clinic, the doctor examined her neck and prescribed her medication. After a month, although Mai felt like her neck was still in the same size as before, the doctor told her that her goiter had been cured. Three years later, Mai's neck started to grow bigger. Having no money in hand, her parents did not take her any clinics although there was a tightness in her throat and it was uncomfortable for Mai to move her neck to the side. In 2018, Mai was selected to attend a training in Mae Sot. After her training, she was put in for an internship at Mae Tao Clinc (MTC). Through an advice from one of her trainers, Mai went to Mae Sot Hospital, where the doctor examined her and prescribe her medications. After three months of taking the medications, the doctor finally told her that she needed a surgery. Mai looks forward to receiving surgery soon. She plans to go back to her native town and work as an assistant health worker, after she has completed her treatment. Mai said, “When I told my parents that BCMF would provide support for my surgery, they’re very happy. They have been worried for me for a long time already. I would like to say a big thank you to BCMF for supporting my surgery. I’m very excited to be freed from this condition. I have suffered from this goiter for a long time!”

Chan is a 36-year-old woman who lives with her husband and father-in-law in Shwepyithar Town, Yangon Division. Chan’s husband works as a day labourer on a construction site, while Chan is a seamstress who works from home. In 2010, Chan started to feel tired, had a rapid heartbeat and developed joint pain. She went to the clinic in Thaton, where she lived at that time, and received an an echocardiogram (echo) and x-ray. The doctor also told her that, if her heart became too enlarged, she would not be able to control her condition with oral medication and she would not be able to have a baby. She then received oral medication for a week which made her feel better for a while. In September 2019, when she went back for her follow-up appointment, she received another echo. Following this, the doctor explained to her that her condition could no longer be stabilized with medication. As he knew that Chan could not afford to pay for her surgery, he referred her to Pinlon Hospital. On 17th September 2019, she met the staff at Pin Long Hospital and who then referred her to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Currently, Chan suffers from chest pain, has difficulty breathing, has a rapid heartbeat and has lost weight. In her free times Chan likes to sew, cook and do housework. “When I’m fully recovered, I will continue to work as a seamstress, save money and live happily with family,” said Chan. “Once I have enough money, my husband and I have decided to adopt one child. And I want to do charity work and help poor people as much as I can.”

Three weeks ago, Ko was foraging for bamboo roots in the jungle when a bamboo twig sprang back and hit him in his left eye. His left eye started to hurt right away, and he stopped foraging. When he went back home, he did not apply any medication because he thought his eye would get better on its own. The next day however, he could not open his left eye and had a sharp pain in his injured eye as well as a headache. When he asked his wife to check his eye, she told him that it was red and that he had a white dot on his pupil. He then went to Chaung Son Clinic, a free clinic. he health worker at the clinic gave him an antibacterial ointment to apply inside his eye every day and seek further treatment at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Mae Sot, Thailand right away. The next day, Ko went to MTC. At the clinic, he received an eye examination, one weeks’ worth of ointment and a bottle of eye drops to apply twice a day. He was asked to come back a week later. When he went back on the 14th of October. After he received another eye examination, the doctor told him that he wanted to admit him at the hospital right away. His left eye was infected, and he needed antibiotics. If the treatment would not work, the doctor told him that they would probably have to remove his eyeball. Unable to pay for his own admission, MTC referred him to Burma Children Medical Fund for assistance in accessing further treatment. Currently, Ko's left eye is teary, he has a severe headache and sharp pain in his left eye. Because the antibiotics did not work, he now has to remove his left eye. His injury has also impacted his family, as he is currently unable to work. Unable to leave his children with any money for food while he receives treatment, his children now have to work on a farm as daily labourers for 2,400 kyat (approx. 2 USD) each per day, to pay for their own meals. Luckily, they have not missed any school, as schools are closed until November for the holidays. "I worry about my eye and I worry for my children too. We left [our children] with our neighbor and they told us not to worry about my children getting food because they will look after them [when they go back to school]. I feel really grateful for my neighbors, BCMF and [BCMF’s] donors for supporting my treatment and everything they have done for me," said Ko.

Lily is a young girl from Tanzania. Lily is a playful and friendly girl, the fifth born in a family of six children. She is in kindergarten. Lilly walks with difficulties due to the genu valgus condition. Her parents noticed Lily's knocked knees, that had changed her walking style. Unable to seek better treatment plan for her, the parents decided to pray for her. Unfortunately, nothing was changing. Lily's uncle referred them to a facility near their village, before being referred to our hospital. Upon review, Lily was diagnosed with genu valgus and a distal femoral osteotomy surgery recommended. Upon successful treatment, Lily will be able to walk with ease and regain an upright gait. Lily comes from a humble background. Her parents are peasant farmers relying on their small piece of land to earn a living. They delayed taking Lily to the hospital due to financial lack. The mother is afraid that without money, she still will not be able to afford care for her beloved girl. They appeal for help Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Lily. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 11. Treatment will hopefully restore Lily's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Lily’s mother says, “I would love to see my daughter’s legs normal but we are unable to afford the cost, kindly help her.”

A few years back, Duncan displayed difficulties hearing though mild. As time went by, it intensified and people had to yell for him to respond. He would routinely turn up the volume on television and radio. It was quite strenuous for Duncan and people close to him. He began to miss gatherings of all sorts including church because he could barely hear a word. It has affected his interactions with people and he keeps asking what people are saying. Duncan’s son decided to bring him to Kijabe hospital where an audiogram test was done and severe to moderate hearing aids recommended. Duncan the father of three lives with his wife at their home in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. They both depend on their lastborn son who is a motorcycle driver and thriving better than their other two children. Duncan’s wife is diabetic and also restrains from working much. His son has raised 10,000 Kenyan Shillings towards his father’s treatment and cannot raise the entire funds needed. They are therefore appealing for help.

Denis is a baby from Tanzania. He has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Denis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 13. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Denis's clubfoot repair. His mother says, "“I wouldn’t want my son to feel different due to his condition please help my son I want him to grow up just like his older brother.”

Thaw is a 44-year-old woman from Burma. She lives in Hpa-An, Karen State with her friends. She is a Christian missionary. Thaw has a mass in her uterus. She has been diagnosed with a myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Thaw's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Thaw is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on July 1. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After surgery, Thaw will be able to return home and continue her work as a missionary.

Srey Nin is a twelfth-grade-student from Cambodia. She likes reading books, watching TV, and listening to music in her free time, and hopes to become a police officer in her free time. In January 2019, Srey Nin was in a moto accident that caused a fracture and deformation in her left leg. She often experiences pain in her knee and cannot walk without support. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 13, Srey Nin will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This treatment will help to realign the bones in Srey Nin's leg, and allow her to walk again without difficulty. She says, "I hope that after operation, I will be able to walk easily again and won't have any more pain."