Thin is a 12-year-old girl from Burma. She resides in a village in Myawaddy Township which is in Karen State on the border of Burma and Thailand. She lives with her mother and elder brother. She is a fourth grader but due to her health deteriorating, she stopped attending school one month ago. Thin enjoys dancing and watching Burmese traditional dance videos whenever she has free time. In 2019, Thin began to experience troubling symptoms, including dull pain on the right side of her abdomen accompanied by occasional vomiting, fever, and other worrying symptoms. Following an MRI scan, the doctor diagnosed her with multiple cysts and a common bile duct (CBD) obstruction. Thin has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Thin is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on February 13th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Thin's procedure and care. Thin said, "I am working hard to excel in my studies and regain my health. Once I am back on my feet, I aspire to become a schoolteacher."

Aye is a 41-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother, her husband, and 11-year-old son. She used to work as a tailor but has been unemployed since her symptoms started in 2021. Her mother is retired and her husband works as a motorbike taxi driver, making him the sole provider for the family. Aye was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backward. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, she experiences rapid breathing, fatigue when walking, trembling when doing something, and difficulty sleeping at night. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Aye. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 13th at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital. After the surgery, Aye is expected to have a better quality of life. Aye said, "I enjoy gardening planting different types of vegetables around my house. I hope to go back and work in the same job sewing clothes again once I am recovered."

Ork is a 60-year-old retired construction worker. He is widowed with five children and one grandchild. Ork's four daughters are married and have moved out to surrounding villages. He currently lives with his son, daughter-in-law, and newborn grandchild. His son, a construction worker, shoulders the responsibility of providing for his family. Ork's daughter-in-law works in a nearby garment factory but is taking several months of leave to care for their newborn. Ork enjoys watching TV, listening to monks pray on the radio, and looking after his grandchild. Around ten years ago, Ork developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to tear often and have blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Ork learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 11th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Ork said, “I hope after surgery I will be able to go to the pagoda by myself. I want to be able to do things on my own and help to take care of my family."