Meet Cindy, a 13-year-old girl who lives with her parents and five siblings in Guatemala.
“Cindy is unable to see because she has glaucoma in her right eye, and phthisis bulbi and a cataract in her left eye,” explains our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK).
The most urgent of these conditions is phthisis bulbi, in which trauma, infection, or inflammation causes irreversible scarring and hardening of the eyeball. “Phthisis bulbi in Cindy’s left eye is threatening to permanently render her eye as non-functional,” reports WK.
“Cindy has never been to school due to her eye condition but has a strong desire to learn,” WK adds. “Her neighbor is helping her develop her motor skills so she can eventually learn to write.” Cindy’s older sister acts as her primary caregiver and companion.
Cindy’s family does not own any land, and they cannot afford to pay for her care. With $1485 in funding, however, Cindy will undergo eye surgery to halt vision loss in her left eye and restore vision in her right eye.
“Without this surgery, she will lose all ability to see, thus decreasing her ability to work as well as severely lowering her quality of life,” explains WK.
After surgery, “Cindy will be able to see clearly in one eye, which will make it easier for her to learn and have a shot at going to school,” shares WK. “Above all, Cindy’s quality of life will dramatically improve as she becomes more able to observe the world around her.”
“I would love to see my sister—see her face clearly and say ‘thank you,’” says Cindy.