06.19.2018 When the GROW team first walked into the hospital alcove of the 67 year-old woman named Kham, we confused her for a nurse because she was so energetic as she tried to bring us seats and make us comfortable. We were all impressed by her kindness from the very start. Kham migrated from Shan state in Myanmar to Chiang Mai years ago to live with her grandson. After his parents divorced, the young boy was given to Kham who became his permanent caretaker. The two moved to the outskirts of Chiang Mai where Kham’s grandson could attend school. However, last year, Kham noticed a change in her face and quickly found that a non-cancerous tumour had been growing on the left side of her jaw. Soon after being diagnosed, Kham had an operation to remove the tumour. Although she still has to pay other medical bills, the doctor that operated on Kham didn’t charge her for the surgery. She has been in the hospital for two months and still has months to stay to be treated with light therapy to prevent new growth and heal the area of her jaw that was affected. This will require seven more rounds of treatments that could last weeks because the doctors only perform when Kham is strong enough. While these treatments are necessary for Kham to heal, she explained that her 12 year old grandson must stay home alone while she is at the hospital. Since she has been unable to work, Kham cannot pay this months rent and is worried about finding money to continue to send her grandson to school. Fortunately, neighbors have been helping to feed her grandson and MAP has been giving transportation support. Gaew Chai also explained that they come to visit Kham often to give her support since she has little family to visit. (at Chiang Mai, Thailand)
