Sai Laung, who is 18 years old, lives with her parents and her younger sister in Shan State in Burma. Sai Laung used to be an agriculture day laborer, but she stopped working in July 2022 due to her illness. In her free time, Sai Laung likes to read Buddhist books and study English online. During the first week of July 2022, Sai Laung began to feel very tired and she developed a fever. At first, she thought it was because she was working a lot, but when she had difficulty breathing a few days later, her mother brought her to the hospital. She was told she might have a congenital heart condition, and the doctor recommended that she have an echocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis. Sai Laung had an echocardiogram at another hospital, confirming that she has a ventricular septal defect, or a hole in her heart. The doctor advised her to go to the Pun Hlaing Hospital in Yangon to see a cardiologist, which Sai Laung did towards the end of November 2022. During that visit, the doctor also diagnosed her with aortic valve regurgitation, and told her that she needs surgery. Currently, Sai Laung has difficulty breathing and is only able to walk short distances before experiencing fatigue. Performing ordinary household chores like cooking or cleaning is exhausting for her. Her lips turn blue, and she has sharp chest pain, fever, and difficulty sleeping. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, has stepped in to assist Sai Laung access the care that she needs. On March 7th, she will undergo surgery to repair her heart at Pun Hlaing Hospital. Now Sai Laung and her family need your help to raise the $1,500 to fund this life-saving procedure. “I have felt so sad since I was diagnosed with this [heart disease]. I need surgery and we have no money. I look at my parents and I pity them because they work so hard to help me get treatment. I want to recover quickly and go back to work so I can help my parents with the extra income. When I learned that there are donors who will help pay for my treatment cost, I felt so happy," said Sai Luang.

Adriki is an 11-year-old boy from southern Tanzania where he lives with one sibling and his mother. He is a 3rd-grade student at their local primary school, where his favorite classes are mathematics and English. It is Adriki's dream to be an excellent farmer like his mother and help his family in crop production and cattle breeding. In 2018, Adriki was in the kitchen while his mother was cooking when his trouser caught fire. The fire burnt his right leg around the knee. After the wounds were fully healed, the skin at the back of his right leg was damaged, limiting the extent to which his knee could bend. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help Adriki with treatment. On March 9th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Adriki says, “I wish to be able to walk to school without using too much effort.”

Srey Moch is a 39-year-old mom of two from Cambodia with a daughter in fifth grade and a son in eighth grade. Her husband is a chef and she sells rice. In her free time, she likes watching movies with her kids. Ten years ago, Srey Moch had an ear infection that caused the ear drum in her right ear to perforate. Because of this, Srey Moch experiences ear pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus. She cannot communicate clearly at work and frequently experiences discomfort. Srey Moch traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On March 6th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to cover the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Srey Moch said, "I hope my hearing will improve after surgery and I can do more during work."