Give the gift of healthcare

Naw Hser is a 21-year-old woman, currently living in a refugee camp in Thailand with her husband, son, parents-in-law, and two brothers-in-law. She is originally from Karen State in Myanmar, and has been at the refugee camp since March 2020. Her plans to return to Myanmar after visiting her brother were interrupted by unexpected COVID-19 travel restrictions and the ensuing civil war, leaving her far away from her home. Presently, her husband works twice a week as a laborer, unloading food rations from trucks. Naw Hser and her parents-in-law manage the household, while one of her brothers-in-law is a student and the other works as a day laborer. Her husband's aunt, who lives in the US sends them 3,300 baht (approx. 100 USD) once a year. They also receive 1,172 baht (approx. 39 USD) on a cash card every month from The Border Consortium. Their total monthly income of 3,047 baht (approx. 102 USD) is hardly enough to cover their basic needs. They receive free basic health care in the hospital in the refugee camp. Naw Hser is currently expecting her second child. Due to a higher-risk pregnancy, her doctors have recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Hser undergo a C-Section on August 14th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Hser needs your support. Naw Hser says: "I aspire to become an assistant teacher at a nursery school in the future."

Mouykeang is a four-year-old child from Kandal province in Cambodia, near the border with Vietnam. She is an only child and lives with her parents and grandparents. Mouykeang's father works as a truck driver, while her mother is a homemaker. Her grandparents stay at home as well, raising frogs in a pond behind the house. Mouykeang is currently in kindergarten and enjoys English class. She enjoys watching cartoons and loves eating rice with a fried egg on top. Mouykeang and her father came to Children's Surgical Centre to seek treatment for a bone condition affecting her left leg. She had received surgery at another hospital in December 2023 to treat an infection, and a second surgery in February this year when the infection recurred. Because her condition has been difficult to manage, Mouykeang was sent to our medical partner's care centre, Children’s Surgical Centre, for further care. There, she was found to have a leg bone that didn't heal properly after a fracture, along with an infection in that area. On August 14th, Mouykeang will undergo surgery on her left shinbone, and surgeons will also affix an external frame to help support her recovery. Mouykeang and her family are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of her treatment and need help raising $369 more to fund the procedure. Mouykeang's father says, "I hope she will be able to walk comfortably and grow up happy and free of pain."

Srey Neang is a 32-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is part of a big family with seven siblings, including three sisters and four brothers. While most of them have already moved out to pursue their own paths, whether it's to start a new life with their spouses or to take up factory jobs, Srey Neang is the only one still living at home and helping her parents with their daily activities, including working in the nearby rice fields. In her free time, she likes cooking and going through her social media. In February 2023, Srey Neang was in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in fractures to both her legs, and her left forearm. She went to a private clinic where she underwent fracture repair surgery. Metal hardware was used to repair the fracture on her arm, but now, it is causing discomfort when she tries to use her arm or grip heavy objects. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 17th, Srey Neang will undergo a hardware removal procedure that will help her use her left arm easily again. Srey Neang's family is able to contribute $100 towards her medical costs, but need help raising $204 more to fund the procedure. Srey Neang says: "I hope that I will be able to work in the rice fields again, without pain and discomfort."

Juanita is a widow with two children who is currently unemployed due to her physical limitations as a senior citizen. She is financially dependent on her daughter who is a single parent. Her daughter's income working as a factory worker is barely enough for the family's needs. Four years ago, Juanita began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain and vomiting. She endured the pain for the past years but in the past two months, it occurred more often. Juanita has been diagnosed with gallstones and was advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, which is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Juanita is scheduled to undergo surgery on July 13th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Juanita's surgery and care. Juanita said, "Thank you very much for your help. I hope you will continue helping more patients like me because it really is a huge help. Private hospitals are very expensive and there is no way we can afford it so I am very grateful."

Phyu is 44-year-old seamstress from Thailand. She lives with her roommate, who works at the same factory. In her free time, Phyu likes to cook, clean, and talk to her daughter who lives in Myanmar. At the beginning of 2023, Phyu started experiencing back and abdominal pain. After seeking treatment she was diagnosed with adenomyosis, a condition where endometrial tissue grows into the uterine wall. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Phyu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Phyu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on July 9th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, This procedure will eliminate her pain and allow her to return to work. Phyu said, “I really hope I can continue to sew after the surgery, as I enjoy doing it and I like my career.”

Ren is a 75-year-old grandmother with two sons, four daughters, and 15 grandchildren. She lives with her husband and their youngest daughter who is a rice farmer. Previously, Ren was also a rice farmer, planting rice to feed her family, but now she struggles with blurry vision in her left eye, a condition that has worsened over the past year. Her days are often spent listening to the monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Ren developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own. When Ren learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 9th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens will be implanted in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Ren can contribute $75 but needs help to raise $178 more to fund her surgery. Ren says, "I hope that after my operation, I can recognize my family, and do household chores again."

Dieuralna is a 14-month-old infant from Haiti who lives with her mother, father, and three sisters. Dieuralna has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, causing increased pressure. As a result, Dieuralna has experienced an increase in head circumference. Without timely intervention, she faces severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is seeking $897 to fund the surgery Dieuralna urgently needs at Hospital Bernard Mevs, the only facility in Haiti offering this care. The surgery is scheduled for September 14th and will drain the excess fluid from her brain, reducing the pressure and significantly improving her quality of life. With this treatment, Dieuralna has a hopeful future where she can grow into a strong, healthy young girl. Dieuralna's family shared, "We are hopeful and eagerly anticipating a successful surgery for her."

Phary is a 53-year-old rice and vegetable farmer from Svay Rieng province. She has two daughters, three sons, and four grandchildren. Nine years ago, her husband unfortunately died in a traffic accident. Now, she lives with her eldest daughter, who works as a waitress in a local casino. During her free time, Phary enjoys cooking and watching Cambodian dramas on TV. About four years ago, Phary developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and photophobia. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the layer is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind or dust. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Phary learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 19th, Phary will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the growth and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. Phary is able to contribute $50 towards the cost of his treatment and needs help raising $175 more to fund the procedure. Phary says, "I hope my eye will stop itching so that I can work and help take care of my family."

Srey Touch is from Cambodia and lives with her husband, their 11-year-old child, and her cousins. Her husband is an electrician and her cousins are welders. Srey Touch works as an accountant in a school. In her free time, she likes to cook and check her social media. In November 2023, Srey Touch was in a traffic accident that resulted in damage to her left ulnar nerve, impacting the muscles in her ring and little fingers. She also experiences loss of sensation in her hand and muscle dystrophy between her index finger and thumb on the left hand. These conditions affect her ability to hold heavy objects and cause discomfort while working and performing daily activities. Srey Touch was referred by relatives to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). On July 18th, surgeons will perform an ulnar nerve exploration and transposition procedure on her left hand to improve her hand function and overall well-being. Srey Touch is able to contribute $100 but needs help to raise $472 more needed for the surgery and physiotherapy that she requires. Srey Touch hopes to use her hand and fingers more easily, to improve her function at work, and perform daily tasks without discomfort.

Geigwa is a seven-month-old baby and the youngest of four children from Tanzania. Her parents are farmers who rely on seasonal crop cultivation, primarily maize and rice, for their livelihood. Geigwa’s parents work on the farm to ensure a good harvest. Geigwa was born with clubfoot on her right foot, where her leg is twisted inward and downward. While this condition doesn’t cause issues at the moment, it will affect her ability to crawl, stand, and walk as she grows. Additionally, she will struggle to wear shoes comfortably. Geigwa needs clubfoot correction treatment to address this condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund the necessary treatment for Geigwa's condition. With this treatment, Geigwa will be able to avoid a painful future affected by her condition if it remains untreated. Geigwa’s mother says, “Please help my daughter, we hope she will grow up to be active and healthy."

Baing lives in Krong Siem Reap with her oldest son, his wife, and their three children. Her two eldest grandchildren help their parents sell second-hand clothes from their home, while the youngest grandchild is currently in the 6th grade. At home, Baing enjoys gardening and watching comedy shows on TV with her grandchildren. Two weeks ago, Baing slipped on tree branches behind her house and fractured her left femoral neck near her hip. Since then, she has been in chronic pain and unable to walk. She went to Siem Reap Provincial Hospital, where the doctor referred her to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. When Baing and her family learned about our medical partner, they traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On May 29th, surgeons at CSC will perform surgery on her left hip to help her regain mobility. Baing and her family can contribute $100 but need help raising $444 more to fund her procedure and post-operative care. Baing shared, "I hope I can walk again so I can take care of my grandchildren and walk to the pagoda to pray."

Pov is a 51-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her husband and two of their four children. Pov and her husband were unable to afford school fees, so their children dropped out of middle school to help them in the rice fields. In her free time, Pov likes to visit with and chat with her friends in the village. Since she was 15 years old, Pov has suffered from an ear infection that caused the tympanic membrane (eardrum) in her left ear to perforate. As a result, she experiences recurrent ear discharge, tinnitus, and itchiness. This condition has made it difficult for her to communicate clearly with her family and friends. Pov traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre to receive treatment. On August 22nd, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Pov is able to contribute $25 towards the cost of her treatment and needs help raising $462 more to fund the procedure. Pov says, "I hope that after recovery I will be able to communicate more easily with my family and friends."