By Brendan Rees
The Casey community has gone above and beyond with the spirit of giving by providing a family the best Christmas gift of all: restoring sight to a single father and his two children.
Over the past year, the City of Casey region has generously donated $47,000 to The Fred Hollows Foundation, allowing the Foundation to reach thousands of blind and vision impaired people.
Poorlee, and his children Shoua and Blong, live in a small, remote village in Lao People’s Democratic Republic, a country in Southeast Asia.
Life is hard for local villagers, but for Porlee’s it’s been especially tough as both his children were born with blinding cataract.
“Our life was so difficult, I had no idea what to do,” Porlee said.
When Porlee heard about a Fred Hollows outreach eye camp that could help his children, he packed their bags and set off on the eight-hour journey to the hospital.
At the Provincial Hospital, Dr Phetsamone Indara examined Porlee as well, and discovered he also had cataract in both eyes.
“This was a very important case,” Dr Phetsamone said.
“The father and both his children had cataract. I was willing to operate, but only on five eyes – one eye for the father, as he needed to be able to look after his children.”
Because of Porlee’s tenacious love for his children, the skill of an ophthalmic surgeon trained by The Fred Hollows Foundation, and the people of the City of Casey who gave the Foundation the resources to reach Porlee’s family, their story has a happy ending.
Founding director of The Fred Hollows Foundation, Gabi Hollows, extended her heartfelt thanks to the people of the City of Casey, saying Fred would be amazed by their compassion to help people who shouldn’t need to go blind.
“Without the support of people from the City of Casey The Foundation couldn’t have helped so many people like Porlee and his beautiful children this year,” Ms Hollows said.
“Our generous donors are at the heart of our Fred Hollows family, and they help us transform the lives of those living with avoidable blindness.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has supported our work this year, and the past 25 years; I extend my heartfelt thanks and wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.”
Chair of The Fred Hollows Foundation, the John Brumby AO, said the generosity of people of the City of Casey was inspiring and a great example of communities coming together for a good cause.
“I’m proud to be a Victorian but now even more so, having seen how our community gives to people who are less fortunate,” Mr Brumby said.
“Fred made it his life’s mission to tackle poverty and injustice. This generosity and sense of community spirit that people here have shown is a touching reflection of his character.
“I want people to know that every dollar counts and makes a huge difference to people who would otherwise go blind without our help.”
For more information about The Fred Hollows Foundation or to help restore sight, visit www.hollows.org or call 1800 352 352.
