Somaly is a grocery seller from Cambodia. She is married and has one son who is in 6th grade. Somaly sells goods from her house in Phnom Penh and her husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. She enjoys watching Khmer dramas on TV.
Life has become more difficult since five years ago when Somaly developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itching, tearing, and discomfort. 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 and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing friends, working, and going places on her own.
When Somaly learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour by tuk tuk with her sister seeking treatment. Somaly needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for November 19th.
Somaly said, “I hope my eye heals so I can help my husband earn money to support our family.”