Naw Gay is a 24-year-old woman who lives with her husband and two sons in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. Originally from Bago Division across the border in Burma, she fled to the refugee camp with her family last May due to armed conflict in their area. Currently, Naw Gay is a homemaker while her husband is unemployed. Her children are too young to attend school. They receive free basic health care in the refugee camp, provided by Malteser International (MI) Thailand, and some financial support from nonprofit The Border Consortium and their uncle living in the United States. During her free time, she loves to play with her children and clean her house. Naw Gay is currently expecting her third child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section. Both of Naw Gay's sons were born through C-section due to eclampsia. She has received regular antenatal care at the hospital in the refugee camp and she was told that she will have to give birth through C-section in order to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Gay undergo a C-section on February 1st. Naw Gay's family needs your support to cover $1500 of her treatment. Naw Gay shared, “My husband would like to have a girl this time because we already have two sons. As for me, I don’t mind if it’s a boy or a girl because I will love my baby either way.”

Savan is a 69-year-old retired rice farmer. He lives in Prey Veang near the border of Cambodia and Vietnam with his family. He and his wife have three sons, four daughters, and twelve grandchildren. His youngest daughter still lives at home and helps support the family by working at a local construction company. At home, Savan and his wife like taking walks, spending time with family, caring for his chickens, and watching the news. About three months ago, Savan developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and 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 been having difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about potential falls while walking, which has made him reluctant to venture out independently. When Savan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On April 1st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, Savan needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Savan shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can easily go out in the village on my own and help take my grandkids to school."

Somean is a 12-year-old 6th grader who lives in rural Kampong Chnang province with her parents and three siblings. Her parents earn a small living as rice farmers. In school, Somean loves Khmer and English class, and wants to be a teacher when she grows up. At home, she likes playing with her siblings and reading books. Since she was 6 years old, Somean has experienced a sore throat, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and a hard time sleeping. Frequent illness causes her to miss school. Somean was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Somean, which is scheduled to take place on February 8th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Somean of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Her mom shared, "I hope she can feel better after surgery so her life will be easier for going to school, eating, and sleeping."