Met is a 66-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom, Cambodia. She is married and has one son, three daughters, and six grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is also a retired rice farmer. Her children are rice farmers, too. During her free time, she likes to visit her children's houses and go to the pagoda. About ten years ago, Met developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. 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, wind, or dust, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Met learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Met needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The procedure will take place on June 9th, and she needs help raising $286 to fund her procedure and care. Met said, "I hope after surgery, my eye will no longer be tearing, irritated, or red, so I don't have to worry about it anymore. I can go back to growing some vegetables around my house, and I can go to the pagoda and join the ceremonies and visit my relatives, too!"

Ly Ching is a 21-year-old university student from Cambodia. She lives in Phnom Penh with her elderly parents and two older brothers. She is the youngest child in the family. Her older brother is a lawyer, and her second brother works as a court clerk. She is studying law at university. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and watching movies. Ly Ching was born with polydactyly of both hands. This means that she was born with an extra thumb on both hands. The extra thumbs make it difficult for her to grasp objects, write, and perform some daily activities. She also feels self-conscious about the appearance of her hands. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 20th, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra fingers so she can use her hands more comfortably and perform daily activities more easily. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $279 to fund her procedure and care. Ly Ching said, “I have lived with this condition my whole life. I hope this surgery will make it easier to use my hand and give me more confidence in my daily life.”

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.”