Ed is a 39-year-old father from Burma who lives with his wife and two sons. His sons are students, while his wife is a homemaker and volunteer at their church. In his spare time, Ed loves listening to gospel songs, reading the Bible, and preparing sermons for his congregation. In March 2023, Ed began passing blood in his urine and experiencing back pain in his left side. When medication from a pharmacy did not help, he sought treatment at a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a left ureter stone. Doctors want Ed to undergo Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL), a procedure where high energy shock waves are passed through the body and used to break stones into pieces as small as grains of sand. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), can help. On August 11th, Ed will undergo ESWL at BCMF's care center. BCMF is requesting $1,125 to fund the treatment and Ed's care. Ed said, "Because of my condition, I have not gone to church for two weeks. The church members are worried about me and pray for me".

Aung is a 34 year old office clerk who lives on his own in Yangon, Burma. In November 2019, Aung started to tire easily. At first he thought it was due to working too much, but when he started to feel tired after walking short distances, he became concerned. He told his employer about his symptoms, and they suggested that he might have a heart condition. Aung then went to a heart specialist, where he was diagnosed with atrial septal defect, which is a hole in the upper chambers of his heart. Because he could not afford to pay for treatment, Aung traveled to Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot, Thailand, where he was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. Now they are seeking $1,500 for the operation that Aung needs to close the hole in his heart. Surgery is scheduled for May 20th, at Pun Hlaing Hospital. Until he has this procedure, Aung will continue having shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and chest pain - worsening with time. "In the future, I hope I can find a higher paying job so that I can help support my mother and my younger sisters who live in another city," said Aung as he dreamed about his future when he feels well again.

Meet Kedress - a small-scale farmer, and mother of nine children, three of whom are still in school. 18 years ago, Kedress began to experience troubling symptoms, including progressive anterior neck swelling, difficulty speaking, and fatigue. Because she tires easily and feels discomfort in her neck, her ability to work has been negatively impacted. She has been diagnosed with a non-toxic goiter, and advised to have surgery, to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Kedress receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on May 25th, at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. During the procedure, which will cost $252, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Kedress and her family need your help raising the money for her surgery. Kedress says: “I have been in this condition for a long time due to lack of funds. I heard about the donor support, and so I came so that I can seek support, and get my health restored, enabling the resumption of my activities.”