Tha Zin is a 43-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives in a refugee camp in Tak Province with her husband and two sons. Tha Zin and her husband run a shop in the refugee camp. Their total monthly income is not enough to cover their basic expenses, and sometimes Tha Zin needs to borrow money with interest from her neighbor for her children’s school expenses. Tha Zin shared that in her free time she loves reading the Bible, praying, and knitting hats for her family. In 2022, Tha Zin started to experience pain when sitting. She also experienced bleeding in a sensitive area. In the refugee camp, they receive free basic health care from the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Tha Zin went to the hospital in the refugee camp, where they completed a physical examination, diagnosed her with severe hemorrhoids, and provided her with basic medication. While Tha Zin took the medication, she felt relieved, but after she finished her medication, the pain worsened, and she experienced increased swelling and inflammation. As time went on, the pain worsened. She felt it was harder to stand up, walk or sit. Currently, Tha Zin feels like she has less energy and has difficulty completing her everyday tasks. She also experiences difficulty sleeping due to her worries about her condition. Tha Zin sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo surgery on June 2nd at our partner's care center. Tha Zin needs your help to raise $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Tha Zin said, “Because of my illness, I had to close my shop and leave my two children with my relatives. So, I worry about them. But I am thankful to those who will support my surgery because I cannot afford to pay for it by myself. When I recover, I will reopen my shop and pay back my debt that I borrowed for my children’s school expenses. If my family has the opportunity to do so, I want us to be resettled in a new country one day.”

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."

Savong is a 28-year-old hairdresser from Kampong Thom province in Cambodia, where she lives with her husband and their two daughters and son. Savong's husband works on a nearby rice farm while Savong works in the local market at a hairdressing stall. Her favorite hobby is cooking for her family. Fifteen years ago, Savong had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. As a result, Savong experiences hearing loss, ear pain, and discharge. Savong traveled to seek help from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On April 27th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. During this procedure, surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma, restoring Savong's hearing, and ridding her of the distressing discharge she has been living with. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. The money raised will cover the cost of medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Savong shared: "I hope I can help my hearing and be able to do my job and care for my kids better."