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.”

Mpapa is a 61-year-old man from a village in Malawi. He has four married children and lives with his wife and grandchildren. When he was young, Mpapa needed to stop attending primary school making it hard for him to secure a job. He depends on farming where he grows maize and groundnuts for his family and for commercial purposes to support their day-to-day costs. Mpapa was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate and scheduled for surgery with our medical partner at Nkhoma Hospital. However, he cannot afford the entire cost of the surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund the balance payment for his surgery. Mpapa says, “I hope to receive treatment and resume life without this condition.”

Phai is a 60-year-old rice farmer who lives in Kampong Cham with his wife. Their five children and grandchildren live nearby and visit often. In his free time, Phai likes spending time with his grandchildren, studying Buddhism, and watching the local news. Around three months ago, Phai developed a cataract in his right eye, which caused him discomfort, blurred vision, and watery eyes. He has been unable to work for long periods due to vision loss. A cataract clouded the eye's lens, like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places alone. When Phai learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On March 6th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He said, "I want to go places alone and not feel afraid. When my vision improves, I can work more and help care for my family."