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".

Meet Samnang, a 3-year-old toddler from Cambodia who loves eating mangos and rice porridge and playing with his two older sisters. His parents work in a nearby village as potato and corn farmers. As Samnang is not in school yet, he stays home with relatives. In February 2023, Samnang suffered burns from a gasoline fire near his house. He was immediately taken to a hospital in a nearby province for treatment, where he remained for one month. Samnang has continued to receive follow-up care at a clinic closer to his house. The doctors there suggested the family travel to Phnom Penh to seek further care for burn scarring. Samnang's left hand has developed burn scar contractures, tightening the skin around his fingers and wrist and limiting the function of his hand. When Samnang's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 1st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help improve his hand function. CSC is requesting $495 to fund this surgery. His family raised $100 for his care. His mother shared her hope that, with treatment, Samnang can use his hand more easily and be able to do things independently.

Art is a 64-year-old monk from Cambodia. He is currently living in a pagoda in Kampong Cham province. He has one son, three daughters, and five grandchildren. Art said that he spends most of his time at the pagoda studying Buddhism and helping clean the temple. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family. About five years ago, Art developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing blurry vision, irritation, and redness. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. These growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage. Art has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. He worries that the condition will worsen if he does not recieve treatment. When Art learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Art needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent his symptoms from returning. The total cost of his procedure is $225. This fee covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Art's procedure is scheduled for June 12th. He shared, "I hope that after surgery, my eye will improve and I will be able to read better and join the ceremonies at the pagoda without discomfort."