Khoeun is a 60-year-old woman with two sons, one daughter, and one grandchild. Khoeun and her husband farm rice and sugarcane together, but Khoeun spends most of her time caring for her home and grandchildren while her daughter works. She also enjoys weeding and planting small flowers and vegetables around her house. About six years ago, Khoeun developed an ear infection that caused her right ear's tympanic membrane, or eardrum, to perforate. As a result, she experiences ear discharge, fever, hearing loss, tinnitus, and cannot communicate clearly with others. Khoeun often feels unwell and cannot cook, clean, or visit her daughter's house to help care for her grandchildren. Khoeun shared that she feels as if she has let her daughter down when this happens. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help Khoeun finally heal. On April 4th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear, in which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This cost covers all medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Khoeun said, "I have tried many medicines, and I still have problems. I hope my hearing will improve, and the pain and infection will stop."

Paw is a 24-year-old woman from Thailand. Originally from Burma, Paw, her husband, their three daughters and her parents fled in March 2021 after the Burmese military shot rockets into their village. In Thailand, as refugees, they cannot work, and have temporarily moved in with Paw's brother and his family. They receive rice from her brother's neighbors, while her brother's family provides them with vegetables and curries. In July 2021, Paw's parents and her two older daughters went back to their village when they felt it was safe to do so. Meanwhile, her husband and her three-month-old baby have stayed with her while she receives treatment in Chiang Mai. Two years ago, Paw noticed a mass on the right side of her neck. Her neighbor suggested she apply a natural remedy, but unfortunately, the mass remained and grew over time. In September 2019, she visited a local hospital in Thailand with her husband, but the surgery recommended was too expensive. She experiences pain near the site of the mass, and the mass is still growing. Paw sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). She is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on August 16th, and now she needs to raise $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Paw shared, “I felt embarrassed and very upset when I first noticed that I had this problem. I will feel a lot better after my surgery because I have needed to receive it since I first went to see the doctor in 2019. In the future I want to look after my children and send them to school.”

BB Martine is a 10-month-old baby from Haiti. He is his parent's only child. They shared how much he likes to smile and the joy this brings to them. BB Martine has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, BB Martine has been experiencing an increasing head circumference, which is very worrisome for their family. Without treatment, BB Martine will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for BB Martine at Hospital Bernard Mevs that will treat his hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on April 13th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from BB Martine's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, BB Martine will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. BB Martine's family is hopeful that with treatment, their son will have a chance at a healthy childhood.