Hnin is a 65-year-old woman who lives with her two daughters and two granddaughters in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. The family is originally from Bago Division in Burma. Hnin is retired, while one of her daughters works in a garment factory, and the other is a homemaker; her granddaughters are both students. The family income is not always enough to cover the cost of their daily expenses, so they sometimes need to borrow money from their neighbors, or the working daughter takes an advance on her paycheck from the factory where she works. The family lives with another couple that helps in paying rent, but they do not share any other resources. Due to Hnin’s health condition, they have had to borrow money for treatment and transportation costs. In 2010, Hnin was in a motorbike accident where she injured both knees. She went to a local clinic, but they did not perform an x-ray or examination, they only gave her medication for the pain. After the accident, Hnin’s knees would occasionally cause her pain, which she would treat with pain medication and traditional Burmese medicine. In January 2023, Hnin’s knee pain became worse, and her knees swelled, so she went to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Mae Sot where she was given pain medication, and referred to physiotherapy. However, the physiotherapy and follow-up appointments at MTC did not help much. The pain in her knees was worsening, so she stopped going but continued treating the pain with medication and traditional medicine. In January 2026, Hnin began having shaky legs when standing, and her knees were increasingly stiff, so she went to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) in Mae Sot on 2nd February 2026. There she underwent an x-ray and was told that she had osteoarthritis in her knees which has progressed to last stage, and only surgery would help. She was given medication, a cane, and a follow-up appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon. When she attended her appointment, she underwent another x-ray, and the doctor explained about her severe osteoarthritis and advised surgery. As she can only undergo surgery one knee at a time, the doctor advised her to have surgery on her right knee, since it was causing her the most pain. Presently, Hnin spends much of her time lying down or sitting and cannot help with most housework. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Hnin receive treatment. On March 12th, she will undergo surgery to relieve pain and improve her mobility. Now, Hnin's family needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. She says, "After treatment and recovery, I look forward to going to the monastery to meditate again, as I used to do this before my knees caused me so much trouble. Thank you for your support for my treatment”.

Kidus is a seven-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is in the first grade, and lives with his parents and sister. His father works as a taxi driver, and his mother is a dedicated homemaker who prioritizes her children's care above all else. Two years ago, Kidus started to experience throat pain, appetite loss and disrupted sleep. He was diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis, which has led to frequent medical appointments, impacting his school attendance. Due to this Kidus is finding it difficult to keep up with his studies. If not treated, his symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kidus, which is scheduled to take place on June 6th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Kidus of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Hopeful for Kidus's improved sleep, and a better focus on his education after treatment, his parents say: "Beyond the financial burden, his illness has deeply affected our family's well-being. We are incredibly hopeful for this next chapter, as the upcoming surgery promises a fresh start for our son and our family."

Tengeletu is a 53-year-old man from Malawi. He is married with four adult children and engages in subsistence farming together with his wife to support the family. To supplement their income, Tengeletu also works as a casual laborer, mainly by doing cleaning jobs. In May 2025, Tengeletu started experiencing a swelling in his inguinal region. He sought medical care, and was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. Since then, he has made multiple visits to the hospital in hope of undergoing surgical repair, but without success. During his most recent visit to the hospital in early March this year, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, for further support. He is very hopeful that the surgical operation will restore his health, enabling him to resume his daily activities to earn a living and support his family. Fortunately, on April 9th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Tengeletu is raising $575 to fund the procedure, which will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. He says, "I am very worried about this condition, I am not ready to die. I hope you can provide treatment support for me too, just like others before me have benefitted."