Ya is a 41-year-old woman from Burma. She currently lives with her father who is retired, her brother who is a student, and her son who works on the family rice farm with her. Their farming sustains their family, as they have no other source of income. They also forage for plants and vegetables from the forest. In her free time, Ya enjoys weaving traditional Karen (her ethnic community) bags. As a result of COVID-19 and the February 2021 coup, it is no longer feasible for Ya’s family to have traditional jobs. Her family faces extreme instability due to ongoing fighting in their area. Often, they must escape to nearby forests to avoid the conflict. They spend around a week at a time displaced in the forests. After the fighting has moved, they return to their village. Recently they had to sell their two cows to support themselves. In September 2020, Ya began experiencing back pain, and it was uncomfortable for her to walk and do regular activities because she cannot put pressure on her abdomen. She was diagnosed with myoma, or uterine fibroids. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Ya's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Ya is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on July 10th with the help of our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), who is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Ya will no longer be in pain and will be able to walk without discomfort and work on the farm with her son. Ya said, “I want to get the surgery and recover quickly so I can go back to my family and help with the farm.” She is not sure what the future will hold as the fighting in her village is still happening, but she said, “I just want to be happy and stay with my family for the rest of my life.”

Jeremy is a seven-year-old playful boy from Kenya. He is the second and the last born in the family and a hard working grade 1 student; his mother shared that despite his challenges he likes riding bikes and playing football. The family hails from a semi-urban area in the capital city. His mother is a housewife, caring for the home and family, while his father works as a laborer in the infrastructure department of their county. Jeremy has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape because the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual. Jeremy was examined at our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. The doctors determined that Jeremy could be helped, hopefully enabling Jeremy to eventually walk like other children he knows. The surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Jeremy's bilateral clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk much more easily and live a higher quality life free from disability. Jeremy's mother said, “I will be happy to see my son walking like other children.”

Regina is a 42-year-old mother of four from Burma. She is a hardworking homemaker. During her free time, she enjoys walking around the neighborhood. Regina has been diagnosed with a gallbladder condition, resulting back and abdominal pain, yellowing of her skin, and other worrisome symptoms. The medications the doctors have provided her have not worked. If left untreated, Regina's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. She has therefore been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Regina is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on May 22nd. BCMF is requesting $1,487 to cover the total cost of Regina's procedure and care. Regina said “I am glad to receive help from BCMF for my operation. I am also very thankful to you for helping patients who can't afford surgery. I hope my operation goes well.”