Than is a 42-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband, three daughters, three sons, son-in-law and granddaughter. Than and her family moved from Burma to Thailand ten years ago in search of better job opportunities. Her husband, her oldest daughter, one son, and her son-in-law work as day labourers on their employer’s farm, growing and harvesting tapioca, corn, and cabbage. Her two other sons go to school, while her youngest daughter and her granddaughter are too young to go to school. Than and her second oldest daughter are homemakers. On November 7th, 2020, Than discovered that she had an incisional hernia. Currently, Than experiences abdominal pain throughout the week and has to take pain medication to decrease her pain. She feels uncomfortable when she sits, and when she is in pain, she has to walk or lie down for the pain to ease. Fortunately, on January 28th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Than's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 28th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and go about her daily activities normally. Than shared, “I was so happy when I learned that I was to go to Mae Tao Clinic [and later Mae Sot Hospital] for treatment. My children are also happy that I will receive treatment with help from donors.”

Soriya is a 58-year-old grandmother. Soriya and her husband are farmers, and they live with their youngest daughter. In her free time, she likes to watch Khmer dramas on TV, and listen to local monks preaching at her community pagoda. In late February, Soriya was hit by a motorbike as she stood near the road. She fell on her right elbow, which became swollen and she is now in a lot of pain. She has felt badly since the accident. Her family took her to the provincial hospital, where they took an X-ray to confirm that she had a fracture, but she could not be treated there because her family did not have enough money. As a result of this injury, she is unable to help on the farm and is in constant pain. Her movement is also limited due to the swelling and bruising. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help Soriya. On March 2nd, Soriya will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will fix her elbow fracture and allow her to use her arm again. Soriya hopes that after the surgery, her right elbow will be fixed and she will have no pain so that she can work as she did before to support her family.

James is a casual laborer who works hard to get any work he can. He is 34 years old and not yet married. He grew up as an orphan and has been brought up by his uncle, a small scale farmer with his own family. His mother died when he was very small, and his only sibling was a brother who also died about three years ago. Currently, James works picking tea at the neighbors’ farm. James was injured in an accident between a vehicle and a motorbike on 24th December 2020. He was a passerby and was hit on the left leg. Upon x-ray, he was found to have a closed fracture tibia/fibula. He was admitted to the hospital and open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) surgery was performed. Unfortunately, after about two weeks, the plate dislodged and opened the skin, and it became infected. If not treated, the infection may result in amputation of his leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 11th, James will undergo a new fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him heal well and walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. "I am so worried because I can only cry to my Uncle. I know he cannot pay for another surgery. I kindly ask for help so that I can be well and stop depending on others,” said James.