Vanlida is a 16-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and younger siblings in Kompong Spueu province. Her mother works in a garment factory, and her father works as a tuk tuk motorcycle taxi driver a few hours away by the coast. Vanlida is in grade 11, and dreams of becoming a teacher when she grows up. Her favorite meal is rice with dried fish, and she enjoys caring for her younger siblings.
When she was five years old, Vanlida had an accident, causing a tear in her earlobe. Since then, she developed a keloid on her left ear. The keloid is large and continues to grow, and is now causing mild hearing loss. She feels shy and self-conscious because of the keloid, especially around her classmates.
Vanlida traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On January 30th, surgeons at Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Vanlida’s family can contribute $50 but needs help to raise $223 more to fund this procedure.
Vanlinda shared, “I hope I can have surgery so I will be more confident and comfortable in school.”

