Kong is a 73-year-old widow from Kampot province, Cambodia. She has two daughters, two sons, and four grandchildren. Her husband passed away about two years ago, and Kong has been living on her own, in the same village as her oldest daughter and her family. Now retired, Kong used to sell firewood and do odd jobs around the village to support her family. At home, she enjoys cooking for her grandchildren and listening to monks pray on the radio.
About one year ago, Kong developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own.
When Kong learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 12th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. She can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $263 more for her procedure and care.
Kong shared, “I hope that after my eye surgery, I will be able to see more clearly, recognize my relatives easily, and walk to the pagoda on my own.”

