Davik rides high in parade

presstelegram.com
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 04/06/2008

LONG BEACH - Wearing a polka-dot dress and a parka, Davik Teng climbed into the back of a Mercedes-Benz convertible and was introduced to yet another American experience - a parade.

Davik, a 9-year-old Cambodian girl brought from a remote village in her homeland to the United States for life-changing heart surgery, was recognized at the fourth annual Cambodian New Year Parade on Sunday along Anaheim Street.

Quickly learning about the intricacies of the "parade wave" and later happily swinging a Cambodian flag, Davik was accompanied by her mom, Sin Chhon, and Chantha Bob and Peter Chhun, the two men responsible for arranging Davik's trip.

Two weeks ago, Davik underwent open-heart surgery at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to close a hole in her heart, called a ventricular septal defect. The hospital donated its facilities and a world-class cardiac team led by surgeon Vaughn Starnes.

Aside from occasional headaches, Davik has showed remarkable progress in her recovery.

Originally, Chhun, president of the Long Beach-based nonprofit Hearts Without Boundaries, which is sponsoring Davik's trip, had hoped the girl could be home in Cambodia in time for the New Year.

However, Davik's heart operation was postponed because of unexpected dental problems requiring oral surgery.

Because Davik couldn't yet return home, Chhun asked to include her in one of Long Beach's most visible Cambodian New Year celebrations. Parade organizers agreed and provided the ride.

In addition to her coterie of supporters, Davik was also accompanied by a half-dozen volunteers who carried poster-sized pictures of the Cambodian girl.

Chhun said Davik and her mom were mystified by the American concept of a parade.

Chhun said when he asked how she would celebrate the holiday at home, Davik said, "We go to the temple and pray, that's it."

Davik was a minor celebrity along the route, although there were just as many shout-outs from paradegoers for Bob, a waiter at Sophy's Restaurant, a popular Cambodian eatery, and Chhun.

At the midway stop of the parade, an announcer said of Chhun's group, "They save lives. You should support them. Just go to the Web site, or stop at Sophy's and see Bob - simple."

At one point along the route, local resident Sambath Prop and his friends yelled out to Davik and shook homemade placards with the number 10 on them, signaling perfection.

Prop said he and his friends knew about Davik from newspaper accounts and because they are friends of Bob.

After the parade ended, Davik was standing at the edge of MacArthur Park, when she heard the strains of a familiar Cambodian New Year's song being played as dancers performed a traditional dance.

Davik excitedly pointed at the stage and tugged at the sleeve of Keo Tim, who has been hosting Davik and her mother in her Long Beach home.

Together the trio made their way toward the stage. With the peculiar parade over, Davik was now heading toward something she understood and recognized.

greg.mellen@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1291