Kosal is a 41-year-old grocery seller from Cambodia. She lives in Kampong Chhnang Province with her husband and three school-aged children. Her husband works as a construction worker, while she runs a small grocery business to support the family. She enjoys cooking for her family and taking care of her children’s education in her free time. Kosal had an ear infection when she 15 years old. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Kosal experiences chronic left ear discharge (otorrhea), recurrent ear infections, intermittent ear pain, and hearing loss. The long-term ear condition causes ongoing discomfort and repeated discharge, affecting her daily comfort and confidence. It has also been a persistent health problem for many years, interfering with her quality of life and causing worry due to continuous symptoms despite previous treatments. Kosal traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 21st, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Kosal and her family are able to contribute towards the cost of her treatment, but need help raising $377 more to fund the procedure. She says: “I have lived with ear pain and discharge for many years and never knew surgery could help me. I am very hopeful that this treatment will finally stop the pain, heal my ear, and allow me to live more comfortably without worry.”

Chanthy is a 35-year-old father and excavator driver from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Kampong Thom province with his wife and their three children. His eldest child is in Grade 7, his second child is in Grade 3, and their youngest is just one month old. His wife stays at home to manage the household and care for the children, but the family faces many challenges and struggles to make ends meet, especially with a newborn to look after. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with friends in the village. Three days ago, Chanthy had an accident when an excavator rolled over his leg as he was helping his neighbor whose truck was stuck in the mud. He has a severe wound on his left lower leg, is experiencing intense pain, and is unable to walk, which makes it difficult for him to care for himself and support his family. When Chanthy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On March 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to to remove damaged and infected tissue from the wound, reduce pain, and restore his ability to walk and use his leg normally. Chanthy can contribute $50, but needs help raising $367 more to fund his procedure and care. Chanthy said, “The pain is so strong that I can’t walk, and it has been very hard for me and my family. I hope that with this treatment, my leg will heal so I can stand and take care of my children again.”

Naw Ree is a 29-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother, husband, sister, and brother in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. She is a homemaker who also weaves traditional Karen clothes for sale. Her husband is not formerly employed, but looks after their vegetable garden, chickens, and two pigs. Her brother is a student, and her sister also weaves traditional Karen clothing. Together they earn 1,000 THB per month, which is often not enough to cover their daily expenses. The family receives free basic health care in the refugee camp provided by Malteser International (MI) Thailand. Naw Ree is currently expecting her first child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Ree undergo a C-Section on May 14th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Ree needs your support. Naw Ree said, “I wish to work as a healthcare worker in the future. If given the opportunity, I will apply to study as a midwife or a nurse at the camp hospital when my child is older.”