Chaw is a 14-month-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, brother, and three sisters. Everyone in her family, except her youngest sister who goes to school, works on the farm, growing rice, betel nut and lime. They also have a small rubber plantation. Sometimes, Chaw's father and brother also work as day laborers. Two days after she was born, Chaw's mother noticed a lump at the base of her spine. The lump gradually increased in size, and when she was brought to a hospital in Thailand, the doctor suspected that the lump was caused by spina bifida. Doctors want Chaw to undergo a MRI, an imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of bodily organs. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $814 to cover the cost of Chaw's MRI and care, which is scheduled for February 7th. Chaw's mother said, "After I noticed that her lump was increasing in size, I felt very worried that her condition is caused by cancer. I am really thankful to all of the donors and BCMF staff. May this organization continue to help more patients in the future."

Hean is an active 67-year-old farmer. He is married, with six sons, one daughter, and 15 grandchildren. Three of his sons still live at home and help him on the farm. He and his wife grow rice to sell at the local market. Eight months ago, Hean developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurred vision, cloudiness, and an inability to see well in sunlight. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Hean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 22nd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Hean shared: "I hope that I can see well enough to work in the rice fields to support my family."

Tola is a bright eleven-year-old student in grade five. He lives in Kampong Chhnang province with his family. He has a younger sister in grade one and a younger brother who is not yet in school. His parents are rice farmers. At home, he enjoys playing with his siblings and likes to eat any food his mother makes that has chicken! In school, Khmer is his favorite subject, and he would like to be a policeman when he grows up. When Tola was one year old, he had an infection and was given several intra-muscular injections in his right thigh. He subsequently developed muscle contractures that inhibit his ability to flex or straighten his right leg. If not properly managed, this can progress over time and further compromise his walking ability. When Tola and his family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 20th, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadricepsplasty procedure on his right thigh. This will release the quadriceps muscle and improve the range of knee flexion. After he recovers, Tola will be able to walk and run alongside his friends. Tola and his family need help raising $482 to fund his procedure and care. His mother said: "After surgery, we hope that Tola can bend and straighten his knee like other children, and won't feel ashamed that he looks different."