Esther is a 48-year-old mother of two adult children. She is a sales lady and her husband is an accountant. During her free time, Esther listens to gospel music and enjoys eating nsima made from maize flour served with fish and beans. In 2021, she experienced abdominal pain and other worrying symptoms. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids or abnormal growths in the uterus. She was given some medications that helped reduce the growth of the fibroids. Once her symptoms disappeared, she stopped taking the medications. However, the symptoms came back and the doctors at Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH) recommended for her to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to address the pain and future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for $1,363 for the procedure that will take place on March 2nd. After the surgery, it is expected that Esther's symptoms will disappear. Esther looks forward to being able to perform her daily tasks and going back to work.

Dalis is a 12-year-old student from Cambodia. She is from a family of four in Banteay Meanchey province. Her mother works in a clothing factory and her father drives a tuk-tuk taxi. Her favorite subjects are Khmer and mathematics. When she grows up, she wants to be a teacher. She likes to eat fried rice, and during her free time, she enjoys bowling with her father. Four years ago, Dalis developed a painful ganglion cyst in her left foot. A ganglion cyst is a benign, jelly-like sac that forms beneath the skin on the top or bottom of the foot. The cyst causes her pain, and she cannot walk properly due to the pain. If it grows too large, it can limit her ability to walk to school or ride her bike. Dalis traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 4th, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Her family is able to contribute $100 but needs help to raise an additional $273 to fund the procedure. Dalis' mother shared, "We hope that our daughter will have no pain and can do daily activities after the surgery."

Thaw is a two-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and elder sister in Zee Kone Village, but his family migrated to Thailand four months ago to seek better job opportunities. His father works as an agricultural day labourer, while his mother is a homemaker. Thaw’s elder brother and sister take turns working as agricultural day labourers. Thaw’s mother carefully manages their income, and their combined family income is enough to cover their daily basic expenses. Thaw receives free healthcare services at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). On 2 July 2021, Thaw was born through emergency caesarean section. His mother noticed on the following day, while cleaning Thaw’s body, that he was born with a worrying condition that makes it challenging to go to the bathroom. Thaw’s mother immediately informed the doctor, who then referred Thaw to hospital in Ayeyarwady Division. Unfortunately, due to a lack of facilities, he did not receive the necessary treatment at this hospital. He was subsequently recommended to go to Yangon Hospital. However, due to financial limitations, Thaw’s mother could not afford to take him to Yangon Hospital, leading her to cease efforts to seek Thaw’s treatment. Fortunately, Thaw was able to defecate through a fistula however Thaw began to experience troubling symptoms, including at present, Thaw is passing stool through the fistula, experiencing constipation with bowel movements occurring every four or five days, with a distended abdomen. Thaw has been diagnosed with imperforate anus with fistula and his doctors recommend a colostomy. A colostomy is a surgery that creates an opening for the colon through the abdomen. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1500 to fund Thaw's surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital scheduled January 31st. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate him symptoms. Thaw’s mother expressed her concerns saying, “I want my son to have a healthy, long life. I was always worried about him, and he couldn’t receive treatment due to lack of money. Now, with the help of BCMF and donors, he can undergo surgery. Thank you."