Sam is a 12-year-old student from Cambodia, and the third of four siblings in her family. Her mom sells food at the local market and her dad is a tuk tuk driver. She is in grade 6 at her primary school. Sam's best subjects are Khmer and English literature and she wants to be a teacher when she grows up. In her free time she enjoys playing games and watching TV.
Five years ago, Sam had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in both ears to perforate. For this reason, Sam experiences pain, ear discharge, and hearing loss. She has difficulty communicating with others and the ear infection occasionally causes her a high fever. She is no longer attending school because of her worsening condition.
Sam traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 30th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $913 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care.
"I hope that my daughter's surgery will be successful so she can go back to school," Sam's mother said.