Somhoul's life changed when his parents heard about an OBI free medical clinic. There they enrolled their son to receive the free cleft lip and palate surgery.

JENK VILLAGE, Cambodia – For Somhoul, a happy smile was 10 years in the making.

As an only child to a poor farmer and his wife in rural Cambodia, the boy was left at home and shielded from exposure to others. His family was ashamed of his face.

Somhoul, now 10, was born with a cleft lip and palate, a condition that occurs in approximately 1 in every 700 infants.

"I pitied my boy because all the neighbor's children are good and healthy," his mother said.

The deformity is the result of the lip or palate failing to close during fetal development.

It can cause hearing, speech, dental and nutritional problems. In severe cases, it can even lead to death.

Somhoul's life took a dramatic turn when his parents heard about an Operation Blessing free medical clinic. There they enrolled their son to receive the free surgery.

"If we hadn't received a free operation, my son would be sad and shamed the rest of his life," his mother said.

Cambodia is listed by the United Nations in the top 50 poorest countries in the world.

Somhoul, now 10, was born with a cleft lip and palate, a condition that occurs in approximately 1 in every 700 infants.

For Somhoul and his family, the cost to have surgery to correct the birth defect was unaffordable. After all, the family only has an income of about $25 a month.

"I thank you with all my heart for providing this service," Somhoul's mother said. "Thank you so much for helping my son."

Last year, thanks to donor support of the program, OBI was able to sponsor 785 cleft lip and palate surgeries for children worldwide.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 1997- 2012 by Operation Blessing International of this page and all contents. No part of this site may be used without prior written consent from OBI. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments? Email us at operation.blessing@ob.org.