Meng Huor is a 12-year-old student in grade seven, living in Kampong Cham province with his parents and four siblings. His father is a farmer, while his mother sells groceries from their home to other villagers. When Meng Huor isn’t studying, he likes to read books and to exercise.
About one year ago, Meng Huor had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in Meng Huor’s middle ear behind the ear drum. As a result, Meng Huor experiences tinnitus, hearing loss, headaches, and frequent foul-smelling ear discharge. His mother purchased medicine from a local pharmacy, but it has not helped. Meng Huor finds it increasingly difficult to communicate with family and friends due to his progressive hearing loss, which also has him struggling to keep up in school.
Meng Huor’s family traveled to seek help from our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre. Now he is scheduled to undergo a mastoidectomy on December 19th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, during which surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Children’s Surgical Centre is requesting $926 to cover the costs of this procedure, and all of the necessary medications, supplies and Meng Huor’s stay in the hospital.
Meng Huor’s father said: “After surgery, I hope my son’s hearing improves so he can talk well with others.”