Di is a 40-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her parents, her husband, her brother, and her two children in Mae La Refugee Camp in Tak Province. Di and her family work hard to make ends meet. Her family runs a small shop selling kitchen utensils. Di’s husband is a religious teacher, and he does not earn regular income. Her brother is unemployed, and her parents are retired. Di helps with the family shop while her daughter goes to the community school that is led by volunteers. Her youngest son is too young to go to school. She shared that their family income is enough for family expenses, but they are not able to save any money.
Around two years ago, Di was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia. Currently, she experiences pain under her chest and her abdominal around umbilical is swollen and pain. Di is not able to do any household chores because of her condition. The pain worsens after she has meals or constipation, and her stomach will feel as hard as a stone.
Fortunately, on January 19th, Di will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner’s care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Di’s hernia repair surgery. Once completed, the procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and be well enough to care for her family.
Di shared, “Once I am better, I will try my best to take care of my family and my children’s education. I want them to study in Thai school. They need to be educated, so I need to be healthy.”