Chan is a 36-year-old woman who lives with her husband and father-in-law in Shwepyithar Town, Yangon Division. Chan’s husband works as a day labourer on a construction site, while Chan is a seamstress who works from home. In 2010, Chan started to feel tired, had a rapid heartbeat and developed joint pain. She went to the clinic in Thaton, where she lived at that time, and received an an echocardiogram (echo) and x-ray. The doctor also told her that, if her heart became too enlarged, she would not be able to control her condition with oral medication and she would not be able to have a baby. She then received oral medication for a week which made her feel better for a while. In September 2019, when she went back for her follow-up appointment, she received another echo. Following this, the doctor explained to her that her condition could no longer be stabilized with medication. As he knew that Chan could not afford to pay for her surgery, he referred her to Pinlon Hospital. On 17th September 2019, she met the staff at Pin Long Hospital and who then referred her to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Currently, Chan suffers from chest pain, has difficulty breathing, has a rapid heartbeat and has lost weight. In her free times Chan likes to sew, cook and do housework. “When I’m fully recovered, I will continue to work as a seamstress, save money and live happily with family,” said Chan. “Once I have enough money, my husband and I have decided to adopt one child. And I want to do charity work and help poor people as much as I can.”

Mashokye is a farmer from Uganda. He is a married father of nine children, with three of them boys who are bodaboda drivers, two are builders, and all of his daughters are married and are small-scale farmers. He earns a living through farming and mostly grows beans, sweet potatoes, and maize. Unfortunately, he says the yields are often poor. Three years ago, Mashokye has had an epigastric hernia. This hernia causes him severe pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on March 10th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Mashokye's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Maskokye says, “I hope I get fine after my surgery and be relieved from pain after surgery."

Moses is a teenager from Kenya, who is doing well in school. Moses’s mother is a stay-at-home mom while his father is employed casually as a taxi driver. Moses is the oldest of three children. He lives with his parents and younger siblings in a two-roomed rental house in Central Kenya. Moses was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Moses has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Moses will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 10th. AMHF is requesting $535 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I have researched about the condition and I am quite stressed. Please help me,” says Moses.