Tha is a 71-year-old retired rice farmer from Svay Reing province. She currently lives with her youngest daughter who is a farmer. At home, she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and cooking for her eight grandchildren. Two years ago, Tha developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and light sensitivity. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus is unable to travel on her own. When Tha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 28th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Tha shared: "I hope after surgery I can see better, go outside, and take care of myself well."

Maung is a 62-year-old grandfather who lives with his family in a village in the conflict areas of Karen State, Burma. His wife is retired and his daughter is a mother to his three grandchildren who are in nursery school. Maung is a day laborer on a farm, and his son-in-law is a carpenter. However, their combined income is not enough to cover their daily expenses, and they have to borrow money to buy food. In his free time, Maung loves to play with his grandchildren. Two years ago, Maung started to notice pain around his lower abdomen on the right side of his body. He took medicine he received from a local healer. The medicine worked for a while and managed to feel better. However, a few weeks ago, while Maung was working on the farm, the pain came back. He went to the healer but this time his condition did not improve. Two days after the pain arrived, his lower abdomen started to swell. The area has increased in swelling and when he walks he experiences a burning pain. If he coughs or sneezes, the swollen area increases and causes more pain. Maung had decided against going to a clinic or hospital due to his family's financial situation. Fortunately, Maung arrived at the care center of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), where he will be able to receive treatment. The doctor quickly diagnosed him with an inguinal hernia and told him that he needs surgery as soon as possible and scheduled his procedure for June 7th. BCMF is requesting $828 to help fund this procedure to heal his condition. Maung said, "Thank you very much to all the donors and BCMF for helping me to receive treatment. I will not be able to have treatment without your support. My income is not even enough for my family and I always have to borrow money to meet the end of the month. If I have to get treatment by myself, the only way I will have to choose is to suffer as I cannot afford it."

Va is an elderly rice farmer from Prey Veng province. He is married, and has four sons and eight grandchildren. He and his wife are retired from their farm, and their living is supported by their sons. Three of their sons are construction workers nearby, but one son is working in construction in Japan. In his free time, he likes listening to Buddhist prayers on the radio and taking walks with his wife. About one year ago, Va developed a cataract in his left eye. He is unable to continue any work in the rice fields due to increased irritation from the sun, and has even more difficulty with simple tasks around the house. When Va learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 17th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He shared: "I hope after surgery I can see clearly and feel happy to recognize my family. I want to take care of my grandchildren and myself well."