Yoeun is a retired rice farmer from Kompong Cham province. She is a widow who lost her husband about 10 years ago. They did not have any children, so she lives with her niece, who is a farmer. She used to be a farmer too, planting rice, but she had to stop because of her eyesight. At home, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. About a year ago, Yoeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision and difficulty seeing in bright or low light. When Yoeun learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Yoeun is able to contribute towards the cost of the surgery and needs help raising $253 to fund her eye surgery. She shared, "I hope that after the surgery, my eyes will be better and I will be able to see again. I want to go out and join ceremonies, visit the pagoda, and be able to take care of myself."

Pi is a 14-year-old boy who lives with his aunt, uncle, grandmother, and nine-year-old cousin in a village in Karen State, Burma. His uncle and aunt are subsistence hillside farmers, and their family has barely enough food. Pi usually helps his aunt with farming and household chores. They receive free basic healthcare at the clinic close to their village. On April 20th, 2024, Pi had climbed a Marian Plum tree to pick some fruits. Unfortunately, he fell from the tree, sustaining an injury to his lower back. Pi's aunt immediately brought him to the local clinic, where he was examined and referred to a hospital for treatment. Following the advice, Pi's aunt promptly took him to the local hospital where the doctor conducted a physical examination, x-ray and ultrasound. He was treated with intravenous infusion and pain medication. After reviewing the assessment results, the doctor diagnosed him with a fracture of two or three spine vertebrae in his lower back. Pi's aunt was informed that Pi might need surgery and was advised to go to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) in Thailand, for further treatment. On April 21, 2024, Pi and his aunt arrived at MSH, where the doctor conducted a physical examination and scheduled Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on April 22, 2024. Pi's family is unable to fund the cost and needs your help to raise the $681 required for the procedure. Currently, Pi cannot stand or walk; he has to lie on the bed, and a urinary catheter has also been inserted. He also experiences pain in his lower back. Pi's aunt expressed her gratitude, saying, "I did not know how to manage his injury. I am glad to receive help from the Burma Children's Medical Fund and donors." "Thank you for your assistance." Pi added, "Thank you for helping me with my treatment costs."

Evaristo is a 57-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda, married with eight children. Five of his children are already married, while the remaining three are currently attending school. He and his wife are small-scale farmers, mostly growing beans, maize and a few coffee trees. Eight years ago, Evaristo was involved in a road traffic accident, which resulted in a leg injury that eventually healed. Despite the healing, the area surrounding the scar remained numb. In February of this year, while riding on a motorcycle taxi, the scar was injured by the starter pedal, causing it to start hurting again. As days passed, the site developed blisters that developed into a wound. Evaristo went to local clinics for treatment but did not experience any improvement even after receiving some injections. He has continued experiencing pain on the injured leg, unable to farm or perform other daily activities. As a result, his wife has become the sole breadwinner for their family, prompting them to take out short-term loans to cover school fees and medical costs at the different clinics they visited before going to Ibanda Hospital. Evaristo decided to seek help from a surgeon and visited Ibanda Hospital. Upon arrival, he was feeling extremely weak and in severe pain, fearful of the possibility of losing his leg. Due to his inability to walk unassisted, Evaristo relies on a wheelchair to navigate the hospital premises. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Evaristo receive treatment. On March 5th, surgeons at Ibanda Hospital will perform a debridement, which is a procedure to remove infected, damaged or dead tissue so a wound can heal properly. Now, Evaristo needs our help to fund this $207 procedure. Evaristo says, ‘’I was very worried that I may lose my leg, but I thank God for the counseling I have received. I now have hope that my surgery will be successful, and I will be able to stand again and do my usual farming activities.’’