In March, Operation Blessing distributed anti-parasite medicine to children living in some of Cambodia's poorest communities.

"It's good to have this program for kids because most of the parents in this province don't think about the problem," said Chan, one of 500 children to receive medicine.

BANTEAY CHAS, Cambodia -For children like Chan Keo and Sok Pheakdey, something as simple as eating or drinking can prove dangerous – even fatal.

Twelve-year-old Sok's body had been unbearably itchy and his parents didn't know how to relieve his suffering. Chan, 12, attends the same school as Sok, and had been similarly afflicted.

The culprit – a microscopic parasite.

In Cambodia, where Chan and Sok live and go to primary school, poverty usually brings with it unsanitary living conditions. Unwashed food, dirty water and even the soil on which the children walk are places where parasitic worms can thrive.

Intestinal parasites not only cause physical pain and bleeding, but they also consume 25 percent of a person's food intake, causing malnutrition and other severe, chronic health problems.

In response to the problem, Operation Blessing regularly travels to several provinces in Cambodia to administer anti-parasite medicine to children like Chan and Sok, who were among the 500 children who received pills in March.

"Thank you for your care," Sok said.

In addition to the medicine, OBI team members also taught recipients about the basics of parasite prevention and good nutrition.

"It's good to have this program for kids because most of the parents in this province don't think about the problem," Chan said. "Thank you for caring about my health."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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