Nan is a 22-year-old woman from Burma. She works as a medic at a clinic near her village. In her free time, she enjoys reading health-related books to gain more knowledge on the work she does. In 2014, while she was attending the medic training at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), she had a fever which was followed by pain in her back and her right abdomen. Although she had ultrasound done at the clinic, the result showed normal. She was just treated for urinary tract infection, and she felt better after five days. In 2016, she again experienced pain in her abdomen but this time was on the left side. She went to a clinic in Taunggyi, Burma, where she again had an ultrasound imaging test. The result this time revealed a stone in her left ureter. The doctor told her to undergo surgery to remove the stone but because she could not afford the surgical cost 800,000 kyat (approx. 800 USD), she just asked for medication. Since then she had a few episode of severe abdominal pain, and she went to different hospitals in Burma to seek treatment but the doctors kept telling her that she needed surgery. One day in 2019, Nan ran into a friend who also had the same kind of health condition as hers. Her friend told her about the assistance she received at Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) and advised her to ask for help there. Nan then went to MTC, a partner organisation of BCMF. After confirming Nan's diagnosis, MTC referred her to BCMF. Nan still is experiencing back pain at the moment. She worries that her pain will increase when she has to travel. She has pain at her back and at suprapubic area, especially when she sits for a longer period of time and/or when she drinks insufficiently. Although Nan wants to continue learning and attending more training on medical and health, her health problem has limited her ability to finish her trainings. Nan said, “After I recovery from this condition, I will save money so that I can open a small shop, for my parents, to sell dry foods."

Srey Ne is an eighth-grade student from Cambodia. She is the oldest of eight siblings, and has four younger brothers and four younger sisters. In her free time, she enjoys playing games, reading books, and watching television. Three years ago, Srey Ne developed nasal polyps, noncancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. For this reason she experiences bleeding, a runny nose, and nasal obstruction. It is difficult for her to breathe and sleep normally. When Srey Ne learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there seeking treatment. On February 18th, doctors will perform a nasal polypectomy to remove the polyps. After recovery, she will be able to breathe more easily. Now, she needs help to fund this $291 procedure. "I hope that Srey Ne will recover from her surgery and she will have good results." -Srey Ne's Mother

Sam is a 50-year-old cleaner from Cambodia. She has one son, one daughter, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her spare time. Fifteen years ago, Sam developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her irritation, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Sam learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. Sam needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for December 12th. "I hope that my aunt's eye will feel better and she will no longer have any tearing or irritation so she can return to her work again." -Sam's Niece