Tone is a 22-year-old agricultural day laborer in Thailand. He lives with his friend on his employer’s land and he earns 150 baht (approx. 5 USD) per day from his work. He also supports his parents and four younger siblings who live in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. In his free time Tone likes to watch cartoons and comedy soap operas on his phone.
On the evening of 15 April 2020, Tone and his friend were preparing to go hunting after work. After he loaded his pellet gun, Tone placed it upright on the ground, propped against the wall of his hut. Since the hut’s wall is not stable, the gun fell down and went off, shooting Tone’s left shin in the process. When Tone received an x-ray at the hospital, he learned that the pellet had fractured both bones in his lower left leg. Since his accident, Tone has been unable to work and support his family. He suffers from pain around the site of his injury, especially when that area is touched or pressure is applied to his leg. His lower left leg has not healed properly and he needs to use crutches to get around.
With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Tone will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for September 22nd and will cost $1,500. This treatment will allow Tone to regain mobility in his left leg. He will also no longer suffer from pain and he will be able to eventually return to work and continue to support his family.
Tone said, “When I was injured, there were travel restrictions [in Thailand] due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I’m lucky that the traditional healer said Mantras over me, otherwise my leg would be rotten and in need of amputation already.”
