Naw Ree is a 29-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother, husband, sister, and brother in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. She is a homemaker who also weaves traditional Karen clothes for sale. Her husband is not formerly employed, but looks after their vegetable garden, chickens, and two pigs. Her brother is a student, and her sister also weaves traditional Karen clothing. Together they earn 1,000 THB per month, which is often not enough to cover their daily expenses. The family receives free basic health care in the refugee camp provided by Malteser International (MI) Thailand. Naw Ree is currently expecting her first child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Ree undergo a C-Section on May 14th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Ree needs your support. Naw Ree said, “I wish to work as a healthcare worker in the future. If given the opportunity, I will apply to study as a midwife or a nurse at the camp hospital when my child is older.”

Srey Neth is a cheerful little girl from Cambodia. She is 21 months old and lives with her parents and three older siblings. Her oldest brother is in Grade 5, her second brother is in Grade 1, and her older sister is five years old. Her father works in construction, while her mother stays home to care for the children and manage the household. Her favorite foods are sour fish soup and oranges. During her free time, she enjoys playing with slime with her older sister and watching cartoons together. Srey Neth has congenital pseudarthrosis of the right tibia, a condition that causes the bone to develop and heal abnormally. Her right lower leg is curved, and despite previous surgery and pin placement, the bone has not healed properly. The unhealed tibia and leg position affect the stability and development of her right leg. She needs further surgery to stabilize the bone and support healing so that she can have a better chance of standing, walking, and playing normally as she grows. Srey Neth's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought treatment. On August 13th, Srey Neth will undergo surgery that will improve her strength and mobility. Now, she needs help to fund this $582 procedure. Srey Neth's mother said, “I hope this surgery will stabilize my daughter’s right tibia and give her bone a better chance to heal so that, as she grows, she can eventually stand, walk, and play normally.”

Chorn is a 69-year-old retired farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who is a rice farmer. His first wife passed away 16 years ago, and he has three children from his previous marriage. All three are married; his eldest child serves in the army, the second works as a grocery seller, and the youngest is employed at a laundry shop. In his free time, he enjoys listening to the radio and watching the news on his phone. Around 10 years ago, Chorn underwent total hip replacement surgery on both hips. However, over time, the artificial components in his right hip became severely worn and loose, causing damage to the surrounding bone. He has experienced right hip pain for approximately four years, which has become much worse over the past year. Standing and walking are now extremely difficult, and he relies on a wheelchair to get around. The pain and limited mobility have also prevented him from returning to farming and managing his daily activities independently. Although his left hip also shows some loosening, it is not currently causing him significant problems. On November 3rd, Chorn will undergo surgery with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Doctors will perform a right hip revision surgery, with removal of the existing artificial components and conversion to an excision arthroplasty. Chorn and his family can contribute $100 and need help raising $1,400 more to fund his procedure and care. Chorn said, “I hope this surgery will help reduce the pain in my right hip so I can stand and walk more comfortably again. I want to be able to take care of my daily activities with less help from others. If my recovery goes well, I hope I can return to farming and enjoy being active again.”