Celab is a trader from Uganda who came to our facility with complaints of back swelling that has gradually become painful. For the past nine years, he has felt painful pricks on his back. He is not able to lift heavy loads on his back. Celab has tried traditional medications but been unsuccessful. Celab was diagnosed with lipoma and an excision is recommended for better health and quality of life. Celab is a father of five children who are students. He trades in bananas while his wife is a peasant farmer. Due to the school fees requirement, his income is often insufficient. He requires the surgery to excise the lipoma and continue providing for his children. Celab traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 7th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Celab needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Celab says, “I pray that I get well after surgery so that I can continue hustling for my family.”

Ngo is a 36-year-old Karen woman from Burma. She has three children, and two of whom are students. While she stays home to take care of house work and her husband works as a day laborer. He earns 180 baht (approx. $6 USD) per day and he usually works for about 20 days per month. The income he can make is not enough to cover their family's basic expenses. They sometimes have to borrow money from Ngo's sister, especially when Ngo needs to go to a clinic. In October 2019, Ngo experienced a severe pain in her right side. She went to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) and was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. She was on medication which made her feel better. On her follow-up appointment, the medic performed ultrasound imaging test to see if her kidney looks fine. The medic then found a stone in her right kidney and she was referred to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) to meet with a urologist. The doctor at MSH at first tried to treat Ngo with medication but when that did not work, the doctor explained that Ngo needs more investigative tests to help her. Doctors want Ngo 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 $414 to cover the cost of Ngo's CT scan and care, scheduled for February 21st. Ngo said, “I want to look after my sons without needing to worry. I want all my sons to be well-educated persons.”

Kyu is 38-year-old-woman from Burma. She owns a farm which she is able to rent out for 200,000 kyat (approx. 200 USD) for each season. In her free time, she enjoys doing housework such as cooking and cleaning. Kyu was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle that controls the flow of blood. Currently, Kyu has difficulty breathing, chest pain as well as pain in her neck. She also cannot walk fast or for long distances because she gets tired easily. Kyu is unable to sleep well for she worries about her condition. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Kyu. Once her treatment is completed, it will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. “If I feel better after surgery, I want to work and save money for my daughter,” said Kyu.