Yin is a 65-year-old retired grandmother from Thailand. She lives with her husband, son, sister-in-law and granddaughter. She enjoys reading the Bible and visiting church during her free time. In February 2024, Yin noticed a small lump on the right side of her neck. She tried to treat it with traditional medicine, but the lump grew larger., Yin began to experience troubling symptoms, including pain in her neck, arm, and back, along with discomfort from the mass. She was diagnosed with goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Yin needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Yin receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 10th at Mae Sot General Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,500, and she and her family need help raising money. Yin said, “I was worried about receiving surgery, but if I do not receive this treatment, I also worry that it will become cancer in the future. Now I am so happy to receive treatment for free, and I would like to say thank you to BCMF and Watsi. I want to be healthy because I am old, and I don’t want to cause any problems or add more work for my family.”

Bertha is a 45-year-old woman from Malawi. She runs a small restaurant in the village, while her husband is a motorcycle taxi driver. Their only daughter moved to South Africa to work. Bertha likes resting after doing house chores and enjoys eating nsima, a traditional Malawian porridge, served with chicken. For two years, Bertha has been experiencing abdominal pains associated with dizziness. In January 2024, her symptoms got worse and she experienced heart palpitations with some bleeding making her unable to continue running her business. A week ago, she visited our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, and was examined by a gynecologist. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous tumors in the uterus. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Bertha's surgery. On August 20th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Bertha will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Bertha said, “I am looking forward to that surgery day for me to regain my peace of mind and resume my business after surgery. I am tired of being supported by my young brother when I can support myself.”

Savy is a 57-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife and four children in Kandal Province. Both he and his wife are rice farmers. His oldest son works in a local bank, while his two other sons also work as rice farmers. His youngest daughter is 16 years old, and is currently in high school. In his free time, Savy enjoys spending time with his family and chatting with his friends in the village. Around three years ago, Savy was in a road traffic accident where he was hit by a tuk-tuk, resulting in an open fracture of his left leg. After the accident, he was taken to a nearby hospital where he underwent an operation, and the doctors fixed a surgical hardware to repair his fracture. Now, the fracture is healed, but the hardware is causing him discomfort while walking and working. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 17th, Savy will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help him walk easily again. Savy is able to contribute $100 towards his medical care but needs help raising $204 more to fund the procedure. Savy says: "After recovery, I hope that I can work again in the rice fields without feeling pain and discomfort."