Monika is a nine-year-old second-grader from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and 12-year-old older brother in Siem Reap province. Her mother works as a janitor, while her father is a security guard at a local company. At school, she likes drawing class, and in her free time, she enjoys reading books and coloring pictures. She shared that she would love to be an artist when she grows up. When it comes to food, Monika enjoys eating chicken or pork.
One year ago, Monika had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Monika experiences ear pain, discharge, and mild hearing loss. This makes it difficult for her to hear clearly at school, affecting her ability to follow lessons. She sometimes misses class due to discomfort and the need for medical care. Medications from the local pharmacy have not helped.
Monika traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On March 11th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care.
Monika’s mother shared: “I hope my daughter will no longer be in pain or have any discharge after treatment.”

