Culture

Update: Helping Teenage Girl

11 Jan , 2021  

Today with the kind help of a few people in Luang Prabang we drove 20 minutes outside Luang Prabang and picked up Chansy, the 17 year old girl we have been assisting, with her mother, and we went to the Fred Hollows Foundation center at the Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital.

Fred Hollows eye center Luang Prabang

The wonderful doctor at the center examined her eyes and unfortunately confirmed what we all suspected. Both eyes are totally blind caused by glaucoma when she was 10 years old. Sadly this is something that could have been prevented however now we know there is nothing further we can do to assist with CHansy’s eyesight.

Before arriving, we asked Chansy if she wanted to join us shopping for essential items for her and I was so pleased she smiled and was excited to join us. I was afraid it may be too much for her as most of the time she sits in the concrete one-room house with nothing to do. It was quite an outing for her, she managed very well and must have been quite a change to be able to go to town for a while.

Today was a particularly freezing day in Luang Prabang, only a maximum of 14 degrees and 7 degrees overnight and she came out in flip flops and a thin jacket.

At the market we bought warm socks, underwear, warm shoes, slippers for inside and other personal toiletries she didn’t have.

She has also had other warm clothes and bedding donated.

Chansy has moved out of her house living with relatives in the same village as there were issues with some family in her house. Finding longer term accommodation is going to be difficult but something we are working on while continuing to support her with food and other ongoing needs.

Thanks to you all for your support and I will continue to keep you posted.

Previous update.

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3 Responses

  1. David says:

    This week I have taken more clothes and food to Chansy. She is living with friends in her village overnight to avoid issues and going to her parents home during the day. I meet with the Director of a a disability project that is partly Government run. He managed the blind residential houses in Luang Prabang where this is a future possibility Chansy may be able to live. They provide accommodation, food and training in massage. Costs $120 USD a month. Blind massage is an occupation common in many countries, I felt uneasy about this at first but after learning about the environment and the future plans for a larger centre catering for not only the blind but disabled there is a good opportunity for the future. They have land but it is not built yet. A local person who has an established spa, wellness and massage centre also came to the meeting. She puts blind therapists into 5 star hotels like the Amantaka so there maybe some good future prospects. Small steps at the moment and going softly. I wish to understand about other options and this week I am meeting with Peun Mit the foundation that operates Makphet and Khaiphaen in Laos. They provide young people, many of them former street youth, with the skills they need to become employable in the hospitality industry. I’ll update you again next week. Again, thanks to those helping Chansy out. I see a real possibility of a positive future for her.

  2. David says:

    Hi all, a quick update on Chansy, she is doing well and this is the most recent assistance she was taken with personal supplies and food. She has discussed with her parents, the possibility of being rehoused and receiving some job training which is promising news and I’ll keep you posted. Photo @ https://www.facebook.com/davidkiwinz/posts/1794638784020700

  3. David says:

    Hi everyone, an update about Chansy. She is still living in her village and being checked upon and cared for. This week we bought another 50KG sack of rice, noodles, eggs, tinned fish and other food and personal items for her. The village headmen helped and oversaw this as the village is in lockdown due to the COVID-19 lockdown in Luang Prabang. A team including the Luang Prabang disability manager, ministry of culture and information and other experts was established but doe to COVID much is on hold. I still have funds for ongoing food and personal care items for Chansy and will continue to keep you posted.

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