Mugyenyi is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is widow and has three children who are all small-scale farmers who are all married. For the last two years, Mugyenyi has experienced discomfort and disfigurement and has been diagnosed with a mass on the posterior aspect of her right arm. It is not painful but has been progressively increasing in size and needs to be excised. Mugyenyi traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 16th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Mugyenyi needs help to raise $145 to fund this procedure. Mugyenyi shared, “With the surgery, I will be able to work comfortably again and be able to carry on with my duties normally. I will resume farming as soon as possible.”

Chan is a 36-year-old woman who lives with her husband and father-in-law in Shwepyithar Town, Yangon Division. Chan’s husband works as a day labourer on a construction site, while Chan is a seamstress who works from home. In 2010, Chan started to feel tired, had a rapid heartbeat and developed joint pain. She went to the clinic in Thaton, where she lived at that time, and received an an echocardiogram (echo) and x-ray. The doctor also told her that, if her heart became too enlarged, she would not be able to control her condition with oral medication and she would not be able to have a baby. She then received oral medication for a week which made her feel better for a while. In September 2019, when she went back for her follow-up appointment, she received another echo. Following this, the doctor explained to her that her condition could no longer be stabilized with medication. As he knew that Chan could not afford to pay for her surgery, he referred her to Pinlon Hospital. On 17th September 2019, she met the staff at Pin Long Hospital and who then referred her to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Currently, Chan suffers from chest pain, has difficulty breathing, has a rapid heartbeat and has lost weight. In her free times Chan likes to sew, cook and do housework. “When I’m fully recovered, I will continue to work as a seamstress, save money and live happily with family,” said Chan. “Once I have enough money, my husband and I have decided to adopt one child. And I want to do charity work and help poor people as much as I can.”

Ly is a 58-year-old garment factory worker from Cambodia. She has one son, four daughters, and nine grandchildren. She enjoys listening to news and music on the radio in her free time. One year ago, Ly developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and difficulty working under too much light. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Ly learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Ly needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 23rd. "I hope that my mother will not have any pain, and her eye irritation will go away. I hope she will able to go outside after surgery," Ly's daughter said.