Ohn, who is 52 years old, lives with her husband in a village in Tak Province in Thailand. While Ohn's husband no longer works because of pain in his lower legs, Ohn earns money as a day laborer on a local farm. In the middle of 2021, Ohn began experiencing lower left abdominal pain, and discomfort when she urinates or has a bowel movement. She has been diagnosed with myoma, a uterine fibroid, and has been advised to have a total hysterectomy. Left untreated, Ohn's symptoms will worsen, and she will be at risk for additional medical complications. Ohn's income barely covers her and her husband's daily living expenses. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is seeking $1,500 to cover the cost of Ohn's procedure and care. Ohn is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on February 1st, at Mae Sot General Hospital, where both her uterus and cervix will be removed. After she has recovered, Ohn should be able to resume her life, free from pain. Ohn said: “I cannot sleep well because I am worried and feel depressed about my condition. When I learned that the organization [BCMF] would pay for the cost of my surgery, I felt very happy. I am very thankful to all donors and to BCMF for paying for my investigation and treatment. When I recover, I will try to work and save money, so I can pay back my debt."

Chea is a 61-year-old tuk-tuk (motorized three-wheeled cab) driver from Kompong Speu province. He is married with two sons, three daughters, and five grandchildren. All of his children work in construction, thus he and his wife help care for the grandchildren during the day. In his free time, he likes to listen to the radio and watch the news. Three years ago, Chea developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus he is unable to travel on his own. When Chea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant a new lens in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He said, "I hope after surgery I can see better so I can drive my tuk-tuk again and earn money for my family."

Hoeung is a 64-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has two sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. He lives with his wife, and has retired from rice farming due to poor vision. At home, he enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Seven years ago, Hoeung developed a pterygium in his right eye. 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. He experiences itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He also has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Hoeung learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 15th, surgeons at CSC will remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. Now, he needs help raising $225 to fund his procedure, medications, supplies and inpatient care for two days. Hoeung shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can feel comfortable, and I can go outside again."