Myo is a 19-year-old young man from Burma. His father is a truck conductor, while his mother cares for the children and manages the household. Because of ongoing strife, Myo's family fled from their hometown in Kachin State to Mandalay in December of 2024. His family's displacement and an underlying heart condition interrupted Myo's education, ultimately leading him to leave school in the 11th grade. In addition, his younger sister's schooling was disrupted when Myo could no longer drive her to school. Myo has a heart condition that requires replacement of two heart valves (aortic and mitral) and repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control blood flow between the heart chambers and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Myo experiences shortness of breath when walking, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Additionally, he has lost weight and has difficulty carrying out normal daily activities due to his condition. His mother spends most of her time caring for him, leaving her with less time to attend to other family responsibilities. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this complex surgery. The surgery is scheduled for November 4th. Following the treatment, Myo will hopefully regain his health and resume his daily activities. Myo’s mother expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, “Thank you so much to the organization and the donors for helping with my son’s treatment costs. I have no words to express how thankful I am. We cannot imagine how we would manage this treatment without your help. Thank you so much for giving our family hope. Thank you so much.”

Youen is an 80-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She is a widow, as her husband died during the Khmer Rouge. She has two sons, two daughters, and 15 grandchildren. She lives with her second daughter, who is a rice farmer. Yoeun likes to listen to monks' spiritual education over the radio. About one year ago, Youen developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Youen learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 14th, doctors will perform a small-incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Her family can contribute $25, but needs help raising $238 more to help fund her procedure and care. Youen said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see better. I hope to easily recognize people and move more comfortably."

Francis is a 49-year-old married man with 4 children from Malawi. He orders raw cassava from farms and sells it in town. However, due to his health, he is unable to work. Eleven years ago, Francis noticed a swelling in a sensitive part of his body. The swelling would be intense and cause pain and discomfort, affecting his ability to work and perform daily tasks. He was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. An inguinal hernia is a condition where tissue, such as part of the intestine, pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. If left untreated, inguinal hernias can lead to complications, such as strangulation, which cuts off the blood flow to the protruding intestine and can be life-threatening. Surgery is the only recommended treatment. Fortunately, on July 1st, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $575 to fund Francis's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Francis shared, "I am afraid of losing my life; the swelling terrifies me; I need your support to help me get better again, for me to resume my business and continue supporting my family."