Chanthou is an eight-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives in Kandal province with her parents, two sisters, and one brother. She is the youngest child and is currently in third grade. Her parents both work long days in construction to make sure their children eat well and have uniforms for school. At home, Chanthou likes to read books, play with dolls, and help her mother with housework.
For the past three years, Chanthou has had bilateral ear discharge once or twice a month. Her hearing is slowly declining. Even though her parents have purchased medication at the local pharmacy for her condition, Chanthou continues to get ear infections. This infection caused her tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in both ears to perforate, causing Chanthou pain, fever, and chronic ear discharge. She cannot communicate clearly with others or hear the teacher, and often misses school.
Chanthou traveled to our medical partner’s care center to receive treatment. On June 3rd, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, is requesting $482 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care.
Chanthou’s mother said, “I hope that after surgery, my daughter’s hearing will improve, and she will stop having ear infections.”

