Chivy is an 8-year-old first grade student from Cambodia. She has one brother who is 4 months old. Her mother is a farmer and her father is a construction worker. In Chivy's free time, she likes to look at books, help her mother do housework, and watch her brother when her mother goes to the farm. When Chivy grows up, she wants to be a teacher. One year ago, Chivy developed nasal polyps, which are noncancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. As a result, she experiences nasal obstruction, headaches, and recurrent nasal infections. It is difficult for Chivy to breathe and sleep. She finds it difficult to communicate with her friends, and she often misses school. When Chivy has to stay at home and miss school, she feels very lonely. To treat Chivy, her grandmother bought medication from a pharmacy, but it did not relieve her symptoms. When Chivy's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On January 21st, doctors will perform a nasal polypectomy to remove the polyps from her right ear. After recovery, she will be able to breathe and sleep more easily. Now, she needs help to fund this $291 procedure. Chivy shared, "I hopes that after the surgery I will breathe easily and have no more pain."

Oeun is a 66-year-old farmer from Cambodia. Oeun has one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. His wife is also a rice farmer. Oeun enjoys listening to the news on the radio and to the monks praying. Two years ago, Oeun developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision, itchiness, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one hour by taxi with his wife seeking treatment. On November 10th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly and his quality of life will significantly improve. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Oeun shared, "Of the five senses, sight is the most significant one that no price can be put on. It is priceless! I appreciate any support you can provide."

U Win is a 54-year-old man who lives with his wife and youngest son in the Ayeyarwaddy Division in Burma. He has three sons and three daughters, with five of his children already married and working. His 17-year-old son left school because they were unable to pay school fees, and worked as a day laborer until COVID-19 happened. U Win used to work as a day laborer as well, but stopped working around two years ago due to his health condition. His family survives on 60,000 kyat (approx. 60 USD) each month that U Win's three other daughters and another son send them, enough to cover their basic expenses. In January 2012, U Win felt tired, had a headache, suffered from heart palpitations, and a rapid heartbeat. He went to a clinic where the doctor listened to his heart with a stethoscope and checked his blood pressure. U Win was told that he has high blood pressure and that he would need to take oral medication for a long time. He received an injection, oral medication, and another appointment for more medication. After he took the medication, he felt better and he went back to work. However, U Win continued to experience worsening symptoms over the next few years, returning to clinics and receiving the same treatment. He was told at one point to visit a cardiologist, but did not do so until later on. In August 2020, during another clinic visit in Yangon, the doctor diagnosed U Win with an atrial septal defect, and said that he would need to receive surgery to repair this hole in his heart. If not treated, the condition could weaken his heart further and cause lung problems later on. He was unable to receive surgery in November due to an upsurge in COVID-19 cases, and was also told the procedure would cost about 3,000,000 kyat (approx. 3,000 USD). Luckily, U Win’s wife remembered that there is a charity group in Yangon that might be able to help. The group told him about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, to look for assistance with accessing the treatment he needed. U Win currently experiences chest pain and back pain, has no appetite, and cannot sleep well at night. He appeals for financial support for his cost of care. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 20th, U Win will undergo an atrial septal defect closure procedure. Once recovered, his quality of life will significantly improve and he will be able to return to work. Now, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. U Win shared, “I want to get better soon so that I can work for my family again. I am worried about my family’s future because we cannot find work in the village. My son also cannot go to Yangon to find another job because of COVID-19 travel restrictions.”