Hla is a 68-year-old from Burma. She lives in a refugee camp in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, Thailand. In June 2026, she moved from her home in Burma to live with her daughter's family in Thailand due to ongoing conflict in Burma. She travelled with her five-year-old granddaughter, the daughter of her son, whose mother has passed away and whose father lost contact with the family. Hla and her daughter are homemakers, while her son-in-law works as an agricultural day labourer. Hla’s right eye is severely blurred, limiting her vision to within one meter. A few days ago, her left eye also became slightly blurry, though it remains much better than her right. She feels unsteady and off-balance when walking. She was diagnosed with glaucoma in both eyes. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Hla. As her right eye is more severe, she will undergo surgery for her right eye first. On August 14, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Hla's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Hla shared, “I try my best to stay positive. I am a happy person, despite my eye problem. I am happy that I get to meet BCMF, who are willing to help me.”

Set is a 70-year-old woman from Kampong Chhnang province in Cambodia. A former rice farmer, she has five daughters, four sons, and 20 grandchildren. Set's husband passed away five years ago, and she currently lives with her youngest daughter, who sells vegetables. Set's favorite thing to do is visit the pagoda. About two years ago, Set developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience 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. Set has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own. When Set learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On August 10th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Set contributed a $25 co-pay toward her care and is requesting assistance to raise $238 more to fund her treatment. Set shared her hopes that, after surgery, her vision will improve so she can easily travel to distant places, visit the pagoda, and recognize her relatives clearly.

Savoeun is a 64-year-old woman from Cambodia. She previously worked as a rice farmer and is now retired. She is married and has three sons, three daughters, and fifteen grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is also a retired farmer, and they are supported financially by their children. In her free time, she enjoys listening to the radio and listening to monks' prayers. For the past two years, Savoeun has been living with age-related cataracts. She 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 Savoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On July 8th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Savoeun said, "I hope that after cataract surgery, my vision will improve so that I can recognize my relatives more easily and go outside with greater confidence and independence."