Story of Ngin

MEET NGIN, OUR MOST DETERMINED PATIENT YET.

In his 64 years, Ngin has seen more than one person could imagine. To say he faced incredible hardships would be an understatement.

During the civil war in Cambodia, Ngin lost 15 members of his family. He lost three of his children to sickness, and both of his legs to a landmine. 

Ngin had already faced a lifetime of suffering. When we met him, he struggled with feelings of depression and hopelessness. He was a determined man, who never stopped caring for his family.

When Ngin started to go blind, he could no longer work or travel, but most important to him, he was not able to see the face of his beloved wife of 40 years, Phork.

Unfortunately in Cambodia, a story like Ngin’s is not uncommon. Too many vulnerable Cambodians live in extreme poverty, many also have a disability and are at risk of permanent blindness. The poverty rates are double in Cambodian households which have a person with a disability.

Thanks to the support of people like you, we were able to find Ngin and restore his sight. Giving someone their sight is the most incredible gift in the world. But to someone like Ngin, it was so much more than that. The gift of sight was life-changing.

There are 100,000 Cambodians just like Ngin who are waiting for sight-saving cataract surgery right now. 92 out of every 100 people who are blind in Cambodia don’t need to be. With your help they can see again. 

Will you restore sight and change lives for more people like Ngin?

NGIN HAS A NEWFOUND LOVE FOR LIFE, THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS

With his sight restored and the love of his life, Phork, by his side – Ngin is back doing all the things that bring him joy.

He is able to work again and is saving to build a new house. And in his free time, Ngin plays and jokes around with his grandkids. He also makes time to give free haircuts to local children. Ngin feels needed and valued once again.

YOU CAN HELP THE MOST MARGINALISED PEOPLE IN CAMBODIA SEE AGAIN

Cambodia’s civil war caused extreme hardship and disruption, and many disadvantaged people live without access to basic eye health services.

	REACH THOSE IN THE MOST REMOTE AREAS 80% of people who are blind in Cambodia live in remote rural areas and have limited access to eye care services. Your support helps us reach them.
	HELP THOSE LIVING IN EXTREME POVERTY Many people in Cambodia who are blind cannot afford eye surgery. Help us reach those who can't afford crucial eye care services.
	HELP RESTORE SIGHT TO OLDER PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK OF BLINDNESS Nine out of 10 people over the age of 50 in Cambodia who are blind don’t need to be. Help us provide quality eye care to them

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO SOMEONE LIKE NGIN

“Every day our team works in Cambodia to reach those most in need, people who are blind, poor and urgently need our help. We live Fred’s values that every eye is an eye and we are committed to carrying on his work.”

– Tokyo Bak, The Fred Hollows Foundation Country Manager, Cambodia.

Since The Fred Hollows Foundation began work in Cambodia in 1998, blindness has reduced by 66%, showing the huge impact of improved eye care services – all thanks to our supporters' generosity.

With help from people like you, The Foundation has contributed to this result by establishing the first ophthalmology training program in Cambodia, which has more than doubled the number of local eye care professionals.

Fred always said, “teach the teachers first” and that is exactly what we do in Cambodia. We know he would be proud to see how far the program has come - but the job isn’t finished yet.

You can carry on Fred’s vision. Will you help us finish the job he started by donating today?

DONATE NOW AND RESTORE SIGHT TO THE PEOPLE OF CAMBODIA