Saw Ta is a 36-year-old farmer who lives with his wife and eight children in a village in Karen State, Burma. Saw Ta plants chili and cardamom and volunteers as a community development worker in his area. The family also raises chickens, goats, and pigs. Saw Ta has a heart condition that requires the replacement of the aortic and mitral heart valves and the repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Saw Ta gets tired easily and experiences heart palpitations when he is working, requiring him to take frequent periods of rest. As he cannot work long hours on the farm, he stays home to take care of his children while his wife goes out to work. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for the complex surgery that Saw Ta's condition requires. The procedure is scheduled to take place at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital on April 10th, and once completed, will hopefully allow Saw Ta to live a fuller and healthier life. Saw Ta said: "After treatment, I will go back to help my wife on the farm, and also continue to volunteer in my community. Now, because of my heart condition, my wife has to do all the work at home and I feel sorry for her."

Ork is a 60-year-old retired construction worker. He is widowed with five children and one grandchild. Ork's four daughters are married and have moved out to surrounding villages. He currently lives with his son, daughter-in-law, and newborn grandchild. His son, a construction worker, shoulders the responsibility of providing for his family. Ork's daughter-in-law works in a nearby garment factory but is taking several months of leave to care for their newborn. Ork enjoys watching TV, listening to monks pray on the radio, and looking after his grandchild. Around ten years ago, Ork developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to tear often and have blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is 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 is not able to go places on his own. When Ork learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 11th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Ork said, “I hope after surgery I will be able to go to the pagoda by myself. I want to be able to do things on my own and help to take care of my family."

Khouy is a 16-year-old tenth-grade student. Khouy lives in Kampong Thom province with his parents, who work as rice farmers. Khouy shares his home with his older brother who sells Khmer cakes at the local market. Additionally, he has a younger brother and sister, both actively attending school in the nearby area. Khouy loves going to school, particularly enjoying math and Khmer history at school. He aspires to become an electrician in the future. Outside of academics, he likes playing football games with his friends. In December 2022, Khouy fractured his femur during a football game. Khouy underwent surgery at a local hospital, where metal hardware was implanted to facilitate healing. The fracture has since healed, but Khouy experiences persistent discomfort in his leg and now needs to have the implanted metal removed. Fortunately, the skilled surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can provide the necessary assistance. Khouy's surgeon scheduled a hardware removal procedure for January 9th, the cost of this operation amounts to $304. Khouy hopes to return to football soon and contribute to his parent's farm. Khouy's mother said, "We hope Khouy's leg will be strong again so he can walk well and help us on the farm."