Mu is a 62-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her family in a village in Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province. She works as a day laborer and housekeeper. She also collects and sells recyclable materials for additional income to support her daily needs. In September 2023, Mu accidentally fell down the stairs and fractured her hip, making it difficult for her to walk and move her legs. She is in constant pain, affecting her ability to sleep and perform her daily tasks. Fortunately, Mu learned about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). At BCMF's care center, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Mu of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for March 1st and Mu needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this procedure. “I felt sad and depressed when I realized I needed surgery because I couldn’t afford to pay for it,” said Mu. “I am also concerned about my ability to take care of myself. I was thrilled and felt grateful to all the donors and BCMF when I learned they would help pay for my treatment. I want to take care of myself without anyone’s help. I don’t want to put anyone under unnecessary pressure. Along with that, I want to walk like I used to again.”

Sa Ki is a 43-year-old woman who lives with her parents and son in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. Her parents are retired and her son is a mullah in the refugee camp. Sa Ki works as a case worker for a community organisation. In June 2022, Sa Ki began experiencing worrying symptoms including lower abdominal pain and back pain. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy which involves the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Sa Ki's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications. Sa Ki is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on February 22nd. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain and she will be able to return to work without any discomfort. Sa Ki said: "When I heard that I need surgery, I started to feel worried and scared. I also worried that if I could not get proper treatment, I would not be able to look after and support my parents."

Sok Kha is a 54-year-old widow who lives alone in Kratie province. She has one daughter who works in Kampong Som province. She grows bananas and mangoes to support her simple lifestyle, visits with neighbors, and enjoys cleaning and arranging her home. This January, Sok Kha injured her wrist in a motorbike accident. Since she was unable to afford care at the local hospital, she visited a traditional Cambodian healer where she received herbs and a splint. A month later, her hand was still red and swollen and she had a pressure injury on her wrist caused by the splint, making it difficult for her to use her hand. Surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, are able to treat her injury and on February 22nd, Sok Kha will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which costs $483. The procedure will repair the displaced bone, eliminate the infection, and make it possible for her to use her hand and perform daily tasks again. She said: "After surgery, I hope I will be able to work in my orchard and have no more pain or infection."