Chara enjoys reading books, doing her homework, and watching TV in her free time. The 11-year-old Cambodian girl attends grade four and has one younger brother.
Chara developed an ear infection in her right ear when she was five years old. The infection caused a perforated tympanic membrane (eardrum), ear discharge, and hearing loss. She can’t hear clearly, making difficult for her to go to school sometimes. Chara is unhappy about her ear pain, and hopes that her discharge will stop and her hearing will improve.
In order to seek treatment for her eardrum, Chara traveled one hour with her mother via motorcycle to reach Watsi’s medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Doctors at CSC will perform a myringoplasty, or a surgical closure of the tympanic membrane. The $399 procedure will treat Chara’s infection and repair the perforated membrane.
Over time, Chara’s discharge and pain will stop and her hearing will be restored, allowing her to get back to school.