Ester is a 13-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her parents, her younger brother, and two younger sisters in a village in Karen State, Burma. Ester and her three younger siblings go to school while their parents are small-scale farmers. They also raise chickens and pigs, and they forage for vegetables in the forest for their own consumption. They also have a small garden where they grow betel nut trees, and they sell some of the betel nuts to earn a small income. Sometimes, Ester’s father also finds work as an agricultural day laborer. In her free time, Ester loves to help her mother with household chores and also play with her friends at school. She wants to become a teacher when she grows up. Ester was born with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Sometimes ASDs may close on their own during development, but sometimes this condition requires surgery to repair the hole and prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Ester is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 7th to correct her condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help cover the cost of Ester's procedure and care. Ester's mother shared, "I would like to thank BCMF and your donors for your kindness and willingness to support my daughter. Without you, my daughter would not receive treatment as the cost is too high for us, and we cannot borrow such a large amount of money from our neighbours. On behalf of our family and our daughter, thank you to your donors and everyone willing to help my daughter.”

Vichea is seven years old and a Grade 3 student from Cambodia. He lives in Kampot Province with his parents and his three-year-old younger brother. His father is a farmer, and his mother is a vegetable seller. He enjoys studying mathematics and playing football with his friends. He dreams of becoming a police officer when he grows up. On August 3, 2026, Vichea fell while playing with his friends at school, causing a closed fracture of his right wrist. The fracture causes swelling and pain in his right wrist, making it difficult for him to move his hand, hold objects, write, eat, and participate in school and play activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 5th, Vichea will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $600. This procedure will realign and stabilize the fractured bone, helping his wrist heal properly. After recovery, he will be able to use his hand more comfortably, return to school, and play with his friends again. Vichea's father said, “Seeing my son in pain is very difficult. I hope this surgery will help him recover completely so he can return to his normal life as soon as possible.”

De Wai is a 55-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, daughter, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law. All of the family members are agricultural day laborers, since their lands were destroyed by a military air strike in February 2026. However, De Wai stopped working in November 2025 due to his heart condition. They do not receive an income from their labor, but the owner of the farm provides them with rice. For their daily expenses, they have borrowed money from the village head—a debt they will have to repay with interest. In his free time, De Wai does household chores. De Wai has been 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 backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, De Wai feels a little better since he has received medication from a doctor. However, he still experiences fatigue when he is active and walking, a loss of appetite, and sometimes he cannot sleep at night due to palpitations and chest pain. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to support a heart valve replacement for De Wai. The treatment is scheduled to take place on June 29th at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital. Once completed, De Wail should be able to live more comfortably and begin again to contribute to his family's future. De Wai said, “I cannot work since November as I get tired easily, and I feel depressed and unhappy for my family as they have to face financial difficulties, and I have to suffer from these diseases. While I am undergoing treatment, I feel worried about my family who are in the village. I hope to recover soon, and I want to go back and help my family.”