Ester is a 13-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her parents, her younger brother, and two younger sisters in a village in Karen State, Burma. Ester and her three younger siblings go to school while their parents are small-scale farmers. They also raise chickens and pigs, and they forage for vegetables in the forest for their own consumption. They also have a small garden where they grow betel nut trees, and they sell some of the betel nuts to earn a small income. Sometimes, Ester’s father also finds work as an agricultural day laborer. In her free time, Ester loves to help her mother with household chores and also play with her friends at school. She wants to become a teacher when she grows up. Ester was born with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Sometimes ASDs may close on their own during development, but sometimes this condition requires surgery to repair the hole and prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Ester is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 7th to correct her condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help cover the cost of Ester's procedure and care. Ester's mother shared, "I would like to thank BCMF and your donors for your kindness and willingness to support my daughter. Without you, my daughter would not receive treatment as the cost is too high for us, and we cannot borrow such a large amount of money from our neighbours. On behalf of our family and our daughter, thank you to your donors and everyone willing to help my daughter.”

Phanna is a 26-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Thom Province with his widowed mother, who is a rice farmer. He is the second child of four siblings, and his siblings all work as factory workers. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends in the village. In April 2026, Phanna was involved in a serious motorcycle and truck collision while traveling to his hometown. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side, causing paralysis in his left arm. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift his arm, bend his elbow, or move his wrist normally. This makes it difficult for him to perform daily activities independently and prevents him from returning to his job as a factory worker. Phanna traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On July 16th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, the procedure is expected to help him regain movement in his shoulder and elbow, improve his arm function, regain independence, and return to work. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for help to fund this procedure. Phanna's family can contribute $50, but needs help raising $687 more. Phanna said, “Since the accident, I have not been able to use my left arm, and it has changed every part of my life. I hope this surgery will help me regain movement so I can return to work, take care of myself, and live more independently. I am grateful for the chance to receive this treatment.”

Nay is just like any other active one-year-old with a loving family. Except Nay was born with a heart condition, patent ductus arteriosis (PDA), a persistent opening between two major blood vessels that should close right after birth. However, Nay's remains open, which can weaken his heart and cause other cardiological and respiratory complications. Nay is one of three children. Their father is a day laborer, and their mother is a homemaker. Their incomes are just enough for basic expenses and health care, but not enough to fund heart surgery. "We are worried when we know that Nay needs surgery because we could not afford for it," Nay's parents said. To fund his surgery on October 3rd, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500. After treatment, Nay will live more comfortably and avoid potential complications. For his parents and sisters, it also means one less worry.