Moe is a 24-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, two aunts, a brother, a sister, two nieces, and one nephew in a village in Tak province. Moe and her husband moved to Thailand in February 2024 because of the conflict in her hometown. Her aunts sell dry food at home and Moe and her husband help. Moe doesn’t know exactly how much her aunt earns, but her aunt provides them with food and accommodation. In her free time, she likes to watch videos and learn how to use a sewing machine. When Moe arrived in Thailand in February 2024, Moe started to experience pain in her lower left abdomen. She thought it was not serious and didn’t seek treatment. At the end of April, the pain worsened and she then took painkillers. Her aunt brought her to a nearby clinic where she received an ultrasound. The medic informed her that she has cysts in both ovaries and referred her to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation. There, the doctor diagnosed her with bilateral endometrial cysts and recommended surgery to relieve her of her pain and discomfort. On July 1st, Moe will undergo surgery to remove the cysts, and our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Moe's procedure. Moe said, “I feel very worried about my surgery. When I first learned that I required surgery, I felt worried and sad because I couldn’t afford to pay for it. But now that I have learned that the BCMF and donors will pay for my surgery, I feel very happy, and my stress has reduced. I would like to thank all donors and BCMF for supporting my treatment. Without your help, I couldn’t receive treatment. When I recover fully, I hope I can return to Burma and find a job”.

Maria is a 67-year-old mother and retired policewoman from Malawi. She has five children, four sons, all with families of their own, and one daughter who just completed college. She lost her husband in 2008. She retired from the police service in 2022 but she is yet to receive her retirement package. Maria currently receives financial support from her sister. In her free time, she enjoys chatting with friends and enjoys eating nsima, a traditional porridge dish, served with beans. Forty five years ago, Maria began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling in the neck, difficulty swallowing, loss of voice, an inability to carry items on her head, and choking at night. She has been to the hospital several times where tests were done. Maria was diagnosed with a goiter, which is the enlargement of the thyroid gland, which produces essential hormones for growth, metabolism, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help! Maria will undergo a thyroidectomy on June 4th. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland and our medical partner is requesting $1,015 to fund this procedure. Maria said, “I have hope that I will get better after an operation and I am now ready for anything, my symptoms are overwhelming, and I can’t continue staying like this forever.”

Men is a 68-year-old retired rice farmer. She lives with her husband and one grandchild in a traditional raised stilt house in Kampong Thom province in Cambodia. Men and her husband have three sons, two daughters, and 11 grandchildren who live nearby. Her children support Men and her husband, as they are now too old to work in the rice paddies. At home, she likes to cook or go to the local temple to join religious ceremonies. Several years ago, Men developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her cloudy vision, tearing, and difficulty walking outside in bright or low sunlight. Due to these symptoms, Men is reluctant to go out on her own. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 6th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in Men's right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Men and her family are able to contribute $15 towards the cost of her treatment and need help raising $238 more to fund the procedure. Men says: "I hope that after the surgery, I will be able to see clearly again and recognize my grandchildren's faces."