Paw is a 59-year-old woman who lives with her husband, son, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters in a refugee camp. In her free time, Paw like to feed her three chickens and sing gospel songs. She also loves looking after her granddaughters at home when their mother is teaching. On a late evening earlier this month, Paw was walking home in the rain when she slipped and fell on the muddy road. She accidentally hit her forehead against a tree stump and tried to break her fall by sticking out her right arm. Right after she fell, Paw experienced a sharp pain in her right arm and forehead. Her son and daughter-in-law brought her to the camp hospital, where Paw was given stitches for her forehead as well as pain medication, and her arm was put in a splint and a sling. The medic then referred her to another hospital, where she was finally admitted at two days later when a car became available to take her. At the hospital, Paw received a X-Ray and was told that her right wrist is broken and requires surgery. With her hand wrapped in a bandage, she was referred to our medical partner's care center, Chiang Mai Hospital, for further treatment. Currently, Paw cannot move her right wrist, not even to lift her hand. Without more pain medication, her hand and forearm experience severe pain with any movement, so Paw has to be careful to keep her right hand straight. Because of this, Paw cannot complete her daily chores nor look after her grandchildren. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Paw will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 23rd and will cost $1,500. This surgery will help Paw move her hand around and resume her daily activities again with ease. “I want to get well soon so that I can go back to taking care of my grandchildren,” Paw said. “They are waiting for me at home to go back to my daily life. Now, I have to come for my treatment and there's nobody look after them. It is hard for my daughter in-law.”

Thoeun is a 63-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He has one daughter, three sons, and eight grandchildren. Sadly, Thoeun's wife passed away years ago from diabetes, and now he lives with his son who is also a farmer. In his free time, Thoeun enjoys watching Khmer boxing on TV, planting vegetables, and spending time with his relatives. Five years ago, Thoeun developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him blurry vision, tearing, and burning. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucus layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Thoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours with his son seeking treatment. Thoeun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of his procedure is $216 and this covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for May 21st. Thoeun shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see well and feel comfortable. I want to go to the rice field and plant more vegetables."

Dib is a hardworking 71-year-old rice farmer. He has six children and 25 grandchildren. Dib currently lives with his wife and their second daughter, who is a rice farmer. He enjoys going to the pagoda to participate in ceremonies and watching the news on TV. Four years ago, Dib developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him photophobia, blurry vision, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Dib learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 22nd, 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, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Dib is optimistic, "I hope after surgery I can see well so I can visit my relatives and even go back to the ceremonies at the pagoda by myself."