Chit Sandar is a 17-month-old Burmese girl who lives with her family in a village in Thailand. Her father works in Bangkok, while her grandmother, mother, and older brother stay at home. Her father’s income only covers the family’s basic needs.
When she was born, Chit Sandar appeared healthy. However, at six months of age, she developed a fever. An ultrasound exam revealed that she had congenital hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain. The doctor cautioned her mother about the risk of brain damage and recommended immediate surgical intervention. Chit Sandar underwent a shunt insertion to drain the excess fluid into her abdominal cavity, relieving pressure on her brain. The surgery was a success.
On November 6, her doctor performed a followup CT scan to ensure that the shunt continues to work. Chit Sandar’s family needs help to fund this $693 procedure.
“I am happy that my child’s condition is getting better,” says her mother, “and I hope that she can go to school when she grows up.”