Mao is a 77-year-old widow from Cambodia. She lives alone in Kandal province. Mao was newly married when her husband died during the Khmer Rouge period. Since then, she has been on her own. She sells morning glory and cabbage in the market to support herself. At home, she enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio and visiting the pagoda in her village.
About five years ago, Mao developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind, or dust. and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Mao needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. She is scheduled to undergo surgery on November 12th. Mao can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $248 to fund her procedure and care. r 12.
Mao said, “I hope the tearing and burning will stop so that I can see better and live without worrying about this problem anymore.”

