Heak is a retired rice farmer who lives in Battambang with her husband and her youngest daughter. She has six children and twelve grandchildren, who visit her often. Her youngest daughter works in a nearby food factory to help support the family. In her free time, Heak enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and cooking for her grandchildren.
About six months ago, Heak 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 is not able to go places on her own.
When Heak learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On December 6th, 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. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure.
She shared, “I hope I can see better so I can go to the pagoda by myself. I don’t want my family to worry about me falling or my eyes getting worse.”