Em is a 25-year-old Chinese language teacher with two brothers and four sisters. Em’s parents are farmers in the province. One year ago, Em started a job in the city teaching Chinese at a primary school. In his free time, he enjoys watching Youtube, fishing, and visiting his parents to help on the farm.
When he was 10, Em had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Em experiences hearing loss, headache, and discharge. It is difficult for him to hear and communicate with his students.
Em traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On March 15th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care.
Em said, “I hope after surgery my ear will be better so I can be free of my headaches and pain.”