Burma Children Medical Fund
burmachildren.com/
MISSION

Burma Children Medical Fund provides access to medical care for people on the Thai/Burma border through its partner.

Medical assistance is inaccessible for many people living in Burma because of the high cost of treatment and lack of free healthcare. There are also an estimated 2+ million Burmese people living in Thailand unable to access the Thai healthcare system.

BCMF is one of the few organizations that has a strong enough relationship with the relevant Thai authorities to facilitate the transportation to and treatment of Burmese people at Thai hospitals.

More information is available on the Burma Children Medical Fund website.

IMPACT
1,882
Patients
2
Countries
6,581
Donors
Patients at Burma Children Medical Fund

Bae is a 63-year-old man who lives with his wife and son in a refugee camp. His wife is retired while his son is unemployed. Bae works as a vendor selling boiled corn in the refugee camp. He also grows vegetables in their garden for their own consumption. Bae enjoys reading in his free time. One year ago, Bae was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, causing him severe pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on May 3rd, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sariang Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,486 to fund Bae's surgery. The procedure will, hopefully, allow him to live more comfortably. Bae said, “I hope that the operation will go well, that I can be discharged in a few days and go back to the refugee camp, returning to my life as usual.”

$865raised
$621to go

Htike is a 3-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents in Tak Province. His father works as a day laborer and his mother is a homemaker. They rely solely on his father's income, which is not enough to cover basic medical expenses. In 2023, Htike started experiencing blood and mucus in his stool. He also became sick and feverish. When his mother noticed these symptoms, she took him to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) where they tested his blood and urine. Due to his fast heartbeat, he was also given a drip. His fever went away and it seemed like Htike's condition improved. In February 2024, they returned to MTC due to his high fever. This time, the medic advised them to go to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation and MSH later referred Htike to Chiang Mai Hospital. Doctors want Htike 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 hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $693 to cover the cost of Htike's CT scan and care, scheduled for May 13th. Htike's mother said, “Thank you to the donors and BCMF for helping my child. It means a lot to us. I do not know what I would have done if I did not meet BCMF.”

$165raised
$528to go

Bert is a 46-year-old woman from Karen State in Burma now living in Thailand with her husband and their daughter. She and her husband raise chickens for their family to eat. Her husband also does other additional daily work to sustain their family. Around four years ago, Bert started experiencing burning pain in her left side of her abdomen. However, when her symptoms began, she was unable to pay for a hospital visit. In March 2023 as her condition worsened, she began seeking treatment. She went to the local hospital and they referred her to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further examination. Bert has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, which is the surgical removal of her gallbladder. If left untreated, Bert's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Bert is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on May 14th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Bert's procedure and care. Bert said, "After I recover, I will return home and help my husband on the farm and also weave traditional Karen shirts and bags in the future."

$927raised
$573to go

Kay Thaw is a 29-year-old day laborer from Burma. He lives with his parents, five younger brothers, two younger sisters, a brother-in-law, and a nephew in the Internally Displaced People (IDP) Camp, in Karen State, Burma. Kay Thaw and his family fled to the IDP camp a year ago due to the conflict happening around their village at that time. The combined income of Kay Thaw's family is not enough to cover their daily needs. They borrow money from neighbors and also receive food donations in the IDP camp. During his free time, Kay Thaw likes to play football and cane ball. He also enjoys reading religious books. Currently, Kay Thaw has blurred vision in both of his eyes. Often, his eyes become red, inflamed, itchy, and watery. He cannot see other people’s faces and has difficulty seeing at night. Kay Thaw was diagnosed with juvenile cataract in both eyes. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Kay Thaw. On May 17th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Kay Thaw's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Kay Thaw said, “I hope my vision goes back to normal so that I can see and work well. I am totally blind at night. I cannot see other people's faces even when they are beside me. I cannot read the prayers when I go to church. I am worried about my eyes. I cannot afford to pay for my treatment. Without your help, I do not know what I can do."

$895raised
$605to go

Daw Khin is a 64 year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and her daughter in Yangon, Burma. She is a homemaker and her husband is retired. Daw Khin and her husband rely on their daughter for their daily needs. Daw Khin was born with a heart condition called patent ductus arteriosis (PDA). PDA is a persistent opening between two major blood vessels leading from the heart. When a baby is growing in the womb the opening is necessary to provide adequate blood and oxygen, but this typically closes after birth. When it remains open, it can weaken the heart and cause other complications. because of this condition, Daw Khin experiences shortness of breath, palpitations, and chest pain. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a surgery that will close off the patent ductus arteriosis for Daw Khin. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Pun Hlaing Hospital on May 18th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Daw Khin said, “I am very thankful to BCMF for helping my surgery. I wish the operation would be successful and I want to recover soon. When I am healthy again, I would like to go to the monastery daily.”

$882raised
$618to go

Khing is a 32-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband in Karen State. Khaing used to work as a server in a restaurant but had to stop because of her condition. Her husband is also a server. In February 2024, Khing started to feel a mass in her abdomen. There is swelling, discomfort, and pain. Khing was diagnosed with a left ovarian tumor. Khing sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, and is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on May 20th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Khing said, “Since my condition worsened, I stopped working, and only my husband has an income. I couldn’t send money and support my parents. When I learned that the donors would pay for my surgery treatment, I felt very happy and thankful to all donors and BCMF for covering my surgery treatment. Without help from donors, I would have had to borrow money from my friends with interest. When I recover fully, I will continue to work at my previous work and support my parents."

$886raised
$614to go

Yan is a 29-year-old man from Karen state, Burma. He works in a Japanese shop together with his younger brother to support their mother and two sisters, who stopped farming due to the conflict in Burma. His mother and sisters live in another village in Burma. The owner of the shop provides free accommodation to Yan and other shop staff. His income takes care of his family, but is not enough for expensive treatment costs. Yan has recently been experiencing back pains and chest pains and has been passing yellowish, cloudy urine. When he was reviewed at Maharaj Nakron Chiang Mai Hospital, he was diagnosed with kidney stones and a procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy was recommended, to remove the kidney stones from the body. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Yan receive treatment. On May 24th, surgeons at BCMF will perform the surgery to relive his symptoms and improve his quality of life. Now, Yan needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Yan says, "I am happy to have met BCMF and have an opportunity to discuss both my health and personal challenges. Without BCMF and donors, I would be forced to rely on medication to manage my symptoms, putting my life at risk. The financial burden would be a barrier to accessing life-saving surgery."

$885raised
$615to go

Jack Zing is a 40-year-old woman who lives with her friend in a refugee camp in Tak Province and works as a midwife at the clinic in the camp run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). She earns a monthly income of 3,222 baht (approx. $107 USD). She additionally receives 310 baht (approx. $10 USD) per month on a cash card from the organization The Border Consortium in the camp. This income is just enough to cover their daily expenses, but not enough for savings. The camp provides free health care through the IRC, but not for the care that she needs. Since 2020, Jack Zing has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, slight bleeding, unexplained fatigue and dizziness. She was diagnosed with adenomyoma with bilateral endometriotic cysts, and was advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Jack Zing's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Jack Zing is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 4th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,104 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, this treatment will help relieve her symptoms, including the pain and bleeding. Jack Zing says, “I felt very sad and worried when I learnt that I needed surgery, because I couldn’t afford to pay for the treatment. When I learnt that Burma Children's Medical Fund (BCMF) and donors will support the cost of my surgery treatment, I was very happy. I would like to thank all the donors and BCMF. When I recover fully, I will continue working as a midwife at IRC and also pursue my interest in sewing."

$516raised
$588to go

Ar is a 13-year-old Burmese student in Thailand. He has been living in a dormitory for a year now as his mother moved to Bangkok in search of a better job. Ar's mother borrowed money to pay for the tuition for the school and the dormitory so Ar can continue to attend the fifth grade. He gets food from the school and occasionally gets some pocket money from his cousins. In 2021, when Ar was still living with his family in Karen State, Burma, his leg started to swell. Because it was not causing him any pain his father did not take him to see a doctor. Since then, his leg stayed swollen and would swell up a bit more. However, in March 2024, it started to cause him pain. Ar can no longer play football with his friends because his leg hurts. It is also difficult for him to walk. Ar asked his mother to send some money so he could go to a clinic to see a doctor. Doctors want Ar to undergo an MRI, an imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of bodily organs. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $814 to cover the cost of Ar's MRI and care, scheduled for June 10th. Ar said: “I just want to walk again and play with my friends. I do not want to be a burden to my mother by asking for more money.”

$476raised
$338to go

Min lives with his family in Tak Province, Thailand. His father is a construction day laborer and his mother is a homemaker. In his free time, Min likes to play with his siblings, read stories, and watch movies on his phone. In the middle of 2022, Min fractured his right leg when a car hit the electric bicycle he and his friend were riding. After his family borrowed money, he had a steel rod inserted into his fractured bone during surgery at Mae Sot Hospital. During his last follow-up appointment in October 2023, the doctor said Min would need to have the rod removed. Unable to pay for it, Min's parents did not bring Min back to the hospital. In May 2024, Min started to experience pain in his right leg when he walked. His mother brought him back to the hospital, where the doctor said Min would need to have the rod removed. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children's Medical Fund, can help. On June 14th, Min will undergo hardware removal surgery that will relieve him of discomfort and pain. Now, Min needs $1,500 to fund this procedure. Min's mother said, "I feel very sad when my son is in pain and I really want him to have surgery to remove the rod but I can't help him. Now that I know there will be an organization and donors who will help pay for my son's treatment, I am very happy."

$894raised
$606to go

Soe is a 55-year-old man from Burma. He fled to Thailand last year where he lives with his daughter, her husband, and their four kids. In Burma, he was a farmer on his own farm but because of the conflict, he stopped working outside on the field. His son-in-law works at his father’s shop while his daughter is a homemaker and his grandchildren are students. In October 2023, Soe started experiencing a small swelling on his upper left eyelid. Currently, Soe cannot open his eye as usual and cannot see far. As he is also experiencing pain in his eye whenever it is windy, he is spending most of his time inside. Unfortunately, his eyes also hurts when looking at his phone, so he is mostly sitting without doing anything. He was diagnosed with sebaceous carcinoma of right eye. Doctors recommend enucleation, the removal of the eye, to treat this condition. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund this surgery. The treatment is scheduled to take place on June 17th at our medical partner's care center, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Once completed, Soe will hopefully live more comfortably. Soe expressed his feelings, “I want to thank the donors. I really hope that they have a good job and that they and their families are healthy.”

$884raised
$616to go

Kyawt is a 22-month-old baby girl from Burma. She lives with her parents in Karen State. Her father is a mechanic at the car workshop and her mother is a homemaker. The income only covers their daily expenses and sometimes her grandparents support them. In her free time, Kyawt enjoys dancing and playing with her toys. Kyawt was born with a swelling in her nasal and forehead region, diagnosed as a nasofrontal meningocele. The swelling on her forehead increases in size, especially when she cries. Doctors want Kyawt 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 hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $693 to cover the cost of Kyawt's CT scan and care, scheduled for June 27th. Kyawt's mother is worried about her condition and said, “I am thankful to BCMF for helping my baby. I am very concerned about her operation as it seems to be a major surgery. I wish her operation to be successful and I want to see her pretty and cute face like other kids. I want her to be an educated person when she grows up.”

$155raised
$538to go