Watsi

Kea is a 56-year-old tuk-tuk driver from Cambodia who needs $253 to fund cataract surgery so that he can see well again.

25%

$65 raised, $188 to go

$65

raised

$188

to go

Kea's story

December 12, 2022

Kea is a 56-year-old tuk-tuk, or pedicab, driver. He is from Prey Veng province and lives with his wife, who is a cleaner at a local hotel. He has two sons: one is a security guard and the other is in the army. At home, Kea likes to listen to the news on his phone.

About six months ago, Kea developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and light sensitivity. It is hard for him to see the maps on his phone to take customers to where they need to go.

When Kea learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On December 12th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant a new lens in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure.

Kea said: “I hope after the operation, it will be easy for me to drive my tuk-tuk so I can earn more money to support my family.”

Kea is a 56-year-old tuk-tuk, or pedicab, driver. He is from Prey Veng province and lives with his wife, who is a cleaner at a local hotel. ...

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Kea's case was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.

Kea's Timeline

December 12, 2022
PROFILE SUBMITTED
Kea was submitted by Sieng Heng at Children's Surgical Centre.
December 12, 2022
TREATMENT SCHEDULED
Kea was scheduled to receive treatment at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre in Cambodia. Medical partners often provide care to patients accepted by Watsi before those patients are fully funded, operating under the guarantee that the cost of care will be paid for by donors.
December 13, 2022
PROFILE PUBLISHED
Kea's profile was published to start raising funds.
TODAY
AWAITING FUNDING
Kea is currently raising funds for his treatment.
TBD
AWAITING UPDATE
Awaiting Kea's treatment update from Children's Surgical Centre.

Share Kea's story

Funded by 2 donors

Treatment

Cataract - One Eye

Cost Breakdown
Diagnosis
Procedure

On average, it costs $253 for Kea's treatment

Hospital Fees

$36

Medical Staff

$174

Medication

Supplies

$43

Symptoms
Impact on patient's life
Cultural or regional significance

What kinds of symptoms do patients experience before receiving treatment?

Patients with cataracts experience decreased vision, discomfort, and irritation. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing functional blindness. These changes in the lens commonly occur with increasing age and therefore affect elderly people. Cataracts can also be congenital or traumatic.

What is the impact on patients’ lives of living with these conditions?

The decreased vision from cataracts can cause functional blindness. This makes it difficult for the patient to conduct daily activities. Patients often need a family member to help guide and care for them. If the patient is elderly, this often affects a young child in the family. When a grandmother needs help getting around, a young child is often assigned to help with her daily tasks. That child cannot go to school.

What cultural or regional factors affect the treatment of these conditions?

In many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate. Cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain, including cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services.

Process
Impact on patient's life
Risks and side-effects
Accessibility
Alternatives

What does the treatment process look like?

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide. Surgeons remove the cloudy lens and place a clear lens implant in its place.

What is the impact of this treatment on the patient’s life?

A patient's vision can improve to 20/20 within one day after the surgery.

What potential side effects or risks come with this treatment?

Cataract surgery is highly effective and carries a low risk.

How accessible is treatment in the area? What is the typical journey like for a patient to receive care?

Cataract surgery is available in most areas of Cambodia. However, free surgery is not as widely available.

What are the alternatives to this treatment?

Some debilitating effects of cataracts can be improved with glasses. When the cataract becomes mature, however, the only definitive treatment is surgical.

Meet another patient you can support

100% of your donation funds life-changing surgery.

Channet is a bright, 14-year-old student, living in Cambodia. Channet was orphaned when he was a young child, and now lives with his oldest sister. In addition, he has six other siblings to look after him. In school, his favorite subjects are social science and mathematics, and he hopes to be a math teacher when he completes his studies. Six years ago Channet developed an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. As a result, Channet experiences ear discharge, pain, fever, tinnitus and hearing loss. He struggles to communicate with those around him, and he has stopped attending school due to his hearing loss and frequent infections. Channet sought help from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and he is now scheduled to undergo a myringoplasty at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre on December 21st. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation, improving Channet's ability to hear, and preventing further infections. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $487 to fund this procedure, and all of the medications, supplies, and inpatient care that Channet will need. Channet shared: "I hope after the operation I will feel better, get my hearing back, speak well with others, and enjoy going back to school."

11% funded

11%funded

$55raised

$432to go

Turyahabwa is a father of four and is a small-scale farmer alongside his wife in Uganda. Their firstborn is 25 years old and in secondary school class six while their last is 2 years old. His relatives assist him in raising school fees for his children because farming alone is not enough. Turyahabwa developed a small swelling on the occipital region at the back of his head six years ago. He experiences redness and the swelling is increasing in size. Turyahabwa traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 3rd, surgeons will remove the mass. Turyahabwa and his family need help raising $145 to fund this procedure. Turyahabwa says, “I have a strong belief that I will live a normal life once again after surgery. I will be able to continue with farming after recovery for further development of my family.”

0% funded

0%funded

$0raised

$145to go

Johnson is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. He is the fifth born in a family of nine; his two sisters are both teachers and all his brothers are in the motorcycle (bodaboda) taxi business. He currently lives with his father, grazing cows in his free time. Since 2021, Johnson has had an inguinal scrotal hernia. He feels pain when he walks long distances, lifts heavy loads, or engages in any activity that requires physical effort. This has hindered his work performance as he is no longer able to farm as he used to before. Previously, he had not sought medical attention, but when the pain intensified, his father brought him in to see a doctor. After a scan, he was recommended herniorrhaphy treatment. Without treatment, the hernia may twist, causing intestinal obstruction, which could be fatal. Fortunately, on March 7th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Johnson's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Johnson says “I think I may get healed once operated and I hope I will be able to resume farming so well once I’ve fully recovered.”