July 2008 Archives
The final chapter of Davik is up. Click here to watch it>>
Davik Teng, 9, solemnly walks through the Tom Bradley Terminal at Los Angeles International (LAX) Airport on her way to her flight home late Wednesday, July 9, 2008.Davik was accompanied by her mother, Sin Chhon, Hearts Without Boundaries president Peter Chhun, and vice president, Lucky Chhuon, and Chantha Bob, who played a pivotal role in locating the 9-year-old Cambodian girl.
Davik received a number of gifts and cash and plenty of hugs and tears before departing. She now returns to her tiny home village on the outskirts of Battambang City in Cambodia. The one-room bamboo hut where Davik lives has no electricity, running water or bathrooms. She will return to the embrace of about 20 cousins, aunts, uncles, a grandfather and grandaunt.
Davik was brought to the United States for life-altering open-heart surgery, which was performed in March.
The Press-Telegram will have a wrap-up story with photos and multimedia which will be in Sunday's newspaper and on-line.
Davik Teng holds on to Peter Chhun as as he talks about her impending trip back home to Cambodia.
LONG BEACH -- Friends and supporters of Davik Teng will have a last chance to say good-bye before she and her mom return to their home in Cambodia next week.
Hearts Without Borders, the Long Beach nonprofit that found the 9-year-old with the heart defect and brought her to the Southland for open-heart surgery, will play host to a final benefit for Davik and her mom, Sin Chhon, Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at Golden Villa Restaurant, 1360 E. Anaheim St.
The cost of the dinner, which will be a Khmer buffet prepared by Sophy's Restaurant, is $25. The event will include Khmer music. Money from the event will help Hearts Without Boundaries bring another sick Cambodian child to the U.S.
Davik was discovered in a remote village outside of Battambang City in Cambodia. She suffered from a heart condition called a septal defect, also known as a hole in her heart, that was the size of quarter.
Because the blood did not effectively flow through her heart she suffered from shortness of breath and fatigue. As the conditioned worsened, she faced the likelihood a life of decreasing quality and likely ending in an early death.
Only open-heart surgery would improve her condition. After attempts to have the procedure performed in Cambodia failed, Hearts Without Boundaries negotiated with Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which donated its facilities and staff to perform the surgery.
Davik underwent the procedure March 24. She has since been cleared to travel and will fly back to Cambodia July 10.
After Davik returns home, Hearts Without Boundaries hopes to find another child to save. The organization is currently negotiating with local hospitals for its next ailing child.
Information about the "Last Dance With Davik" can call Peter Chhun at 818-640-6191 or Lakhena Chhuon 562-397-5513.
Greg Mellen
