Nay is a 31-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his mother, two sisters, two brothers-in-law, two nephews, and two nieces in a village in Karen State along the Burma border. Nay works in Thailand as a day laborer, spending one week working in Mae Sot and then returning for two days to his village. Nay’s mother is retired and one of his sisters is a homemaker, taking care of her children. The other sister and two brothers-in-law are day laborers on a farm in Karen State. They also grow vegetables for family consumption. His nephews and one niece go to school. Their monthly income is enough for basic needs and they make an effort to pay for basic health care. In his free time, Nay enjoys helping in his community and fixing electronic items. In July 2023, Nay began to experience blurred vision in his right eye. He has intermittent pain and discharge. These symptoms have made it increasingly difficult for him to see clearly. Nay feels uncomfortable seeing only with his left eye and feels sad and depressed about his condition. Nay was diagnosed with retinal detachment, a condition in which the retina pulls away from the supportive tissue in the eye, resulting in vision loss. If left untreated, he could lose vision entirely in the right eye. Nay is scheduled to undergo surgery to reattach his retina on January 18th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of this procedure and care. After the surgery, Nay's vision will hopefully be restored, and he will resume his daily activities comfortably. Nay said “I was stuck and hopeless while the doctor was telling me that I would need a surgery. I don’t even know how to explain about my health problem to my family. I worry they will feel so sad and worry about me. I am unhappy and feel tired emotionally. After learning that I have donors who will help me paying for my treatment in Chiang Mai, I feel like my hope has returned and I'm wishing my vision would repair and I'll be able to continue my career in the future."

Dorcas is a housewife from Kenya. She comes from a family of seven children, she is the third oldest. Her father passed away some years back, but her mother is alive. Dorcas attended school until 7th grade, but she was unable to complete schooling due to financial difficulties. She worked as a house helper until she got married and now is a mother of two children. Currently she picks up temporary jobs, but since she fractured her arm, she has not been able to work. She and her husband rent a single-room timber house with electricity and use charcoal for cooking. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On February 29th, surgeons will repair her arm with a procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation, a method to fix severe fractures that can't be treated with a cast or splint. The procedure will help her arm heal well, and she can work again. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, requests $1,079 to fund this procedure. Dorcas says, "I'm kindly asking for your help. I'm looking forward to doing my casual jobs to support my husband to take care of the family."

Ham is a 59-year-old monk from Kandal province Cambodia. He is widowed with two daughters, five sons, and fifteen grandchildren. When his wife passed away ten years ago, Ham moved in with his oldest daughter and her family. After retiring from rice farming last year, he decided to move to the village pagoda and become a monk. In his spare time, he cares for the grounds of the temple, prays, and reads religious texts. About one year ago, Ham noticed the development of a cataract in his left eye. This condition involves the clouding of the lens, resulting in a view that resembles looking through a frosted or fogged-up window. The cataract has been causing Ham discomfort, including itchiness, tearing, and blurred vision. These symptoms have heightened his concern about the risk of falling while walking, making him hesitant to venture out alone. When Ham learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 1st, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, Ham needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Ham shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can read the books at the pagoda and be able to go to town on my own."