Aye is a 41-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother, her husband, and 11-year-old son. She used to work as a tailor but has been unemployed since her symptoms started in 2021. Her mother is retired and her husband works as a motorbike taxi driver, making him the sole provider for the family. Aye was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backward. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, she experiences rapid breathing, fatigue when walking, trembling when doing something, and difficulty sleeping at night. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Aye. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 13th at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital. After the surgery, Aye is expected to have a better quality of life. Aye said, "I enjoy gardening planting different types of vegetables around my house. I hope to go back and work in the same job sewing clothes again once I am recovered."

Kyu is a 43-year-old teacher from Burma. She lives with her mother, husband, and two sons in Yangon Division, Burma. Kyu’s mother is retired, and her two sons are students. Kyu’s husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. Kyu is a high school teacher who conducts classes from her home. Their combined monthly income is sufficient to cover their basic living expenses but they are not able to save money. When they have health issues, they rely on a nearby clinic for medical attention. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and she'd like to be able to continue teaching her students at home once she feels better. Kyu was born with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Sometimes ASDs may close on their own during development, but sometimes this condition requires surgery to repair the hole and prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Kyu is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on February 4th to correct the atrial septal defect and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to support the cost of Kyu's procedure and care. Kyu said “Since my heart condition worsened, I couldn’t teach my students due to my fatigue. Now I felt very happy when I learned that the BCMF organisation would support my surgery. Without the help of these donors, I couldn’t afford the treatment. I would like to be thankful to all donors and BCMF for supporting my surgery.”

Sros is a thirty-two-year-old mother of two. Residing in tranquil Kampot province, Sros shares her life with her husband - a rice farmer - and their two children. Their 17-year-old son is working to become a monk, while their 13-year-old daughter studies in fifth grade. Sros is employed at a nearby garment factory, and when she returns home, she devotes much of her time to cooking meals for her family and maintaining a tidy home. Sros has an additional challenge of being hearing impaired and mute. In October 2023, during a rainstorm, she slipped in the mud and twisted her left leg enough to fracture her tibia and fibula - the bones in her lower leg. Financial limitations prevented the family from seeking help at the local clinic, so she sought help from a Khmer traditional healer, who applied a splint to her leg. Her pain still persists, rendering her unable to walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 4th, Sros will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will align her fractured bone into place for optimal healing so that she can walk again. Sros's husband said: "I hope the doctors can fix her leg so she can come home and not be in pain."