Myint is a 27-year-old woman from Karen State, Burma. She moved to Thailand to be with her sister. Myint's sister works in sales and her brother-in-law works in construction. In her free time, Myint likes to listen to Burmese songs and studies Thai language online to learn to speak and read. Myint 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 as the person grows, but sometimes this condition requires surgery to repair the hole and prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Because of this condition, Myint has difficulty breathing and tires easily. She feels pain in her chest and other parts of her body and has difficulty sleeping. Myint is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on April 12th at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital to correct her atrial septal defect. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Myint's procedure and care. Myint said, “I am so happy and thankful for all the donors and BCMF for helping with my heart surgery because I would not be able to afford it. I hope I will recover soon and when I am better, I want to work and save some money to go back to stay with my father.”

Sunnary is a 32-year-old father from Phnom Penh province, Cambodia. He and his wife work in a shoe factory and they have a lively 6-year-old daughter who has just started the first grade. He and his wife enjoy taking walks with their daughter, and sometimes he plays soccer after work with friends. When Sunnary was 12 years old, he fell from a tree, fracturing the bones in his left forearm. His family could not afford healthcare, and he was treated by a Khmer traditional healer. Over the past 20 years, he has developed a left wrist deformity, called distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) instability. He has weakness and pain in his left wrist, and increasing difficulty using his hand. After so many years of pain, a friend told him about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) where patients who cannot afford care elsewhere can receive free or low-cost care. Doctors have determined that surgery is necessary for his joint instability when nonsurgical treatment fails to restore forearm stability. Sunnary is now scheduled for an osteotomy on December 11th and needs your help raising $469, which will cover the surgery, hospitalization, and post-op physiotherapy. Sunnary shared, "I hope after surgery, I can lift heavy objects again and work hard to support my wife and daughter."

Khemara is an 11th grader who lives in Kampong Thom province with his parents and older sister. His parents work as rice farmers, and he has three older brothers who live nearby and help support the family. Khemara likes playing volleyball and his favorite subject is history. He hopes to get a good job or join the army when he finishes high school. In December, Khemara was driving near his home when a dog ran into the road, causing him to swerve and crash. The accident caused a fracture in his right arm. He was unable to afford the private clinic near his house, so he sought treatment from a traditional healer in his village. Unfortunately, the fracture has not healed. He has limited function in his right hand and arm and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 11th, Khemara will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will improve his arm function and help him to perform his everyday activities again. He shared, "I hope I can use my arm like before and be able to do my schoolwork and I'd like to play volleyball again."