Chanthorn is a 17-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham province with his parents and younger sister. His parents are rice farmers and fishers. Chanthorn is in grade 12 and wants to work in Korea to support his family after he finishes high school. At home, he likes to eat pork and chicken soup, and in his free time, he helps take care of cows for his cousin to earn extra income.
When he was eight, Chanthorn had an ear infection. This infection caused his left ear’s tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, to perforate. For this reason, Chanthorn experiences tinnitus and recurrent ear discharge. Three years ago, his parents took him to a local hospital in Phnom Penh, where they recommended surgery but his family could not afford it. His symptoms did not subside with medicines, and he still suffers from pain and hearing loss. He has difficulty hearing conversations clearly, which can impact his ability to focus on his studies in class and communicate effectively with others.
Chanthorn traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On December 24th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. His family can contribute $100, but our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, needs $387 more to fund Chanthorn’s procedure and care.
Chanthorn shared: “I hope to feel better and have no more ear problems.”

