Ma Kyi is a 15-year-old girl from Burma. She and her parents have lived in Hpa-an their whole lives. They own their own farm, where they grow rice and beans to sell.
When Ma Kyi was born, she had a mass between her eyes. Her parents did not seek treatment for the mass, as it did not cause her any health problems. They also could not afford treatment.
This condition has significantly impacted Ma Kyi’s life. She stopped attending school five years ago because she feels self-conscious about her appearance. Since then, she has been helping her parents around the house.
Recently, a friend of her mother referred the family to our medical partner’s care center, Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). She told them that MTC would be able to provide treatment for Ma Kyi. Soon after arriving at the clinic, Ma Kyi began to work with our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund.
Ma Kyi’s condition is formally known as frontoethmoidal encephalomeningocele, or FEEM. Brain fluid and tissue are protruding through her skull. She will be receiving surgery to correct the FEEM on February 5. Now, her family needs help to raise $1,500 to fund this surgery.
After recovery, May Kyi plans to return to school.
