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Indonesian Children Receive Surgery
Five Indonesian families living in poverty will remember June
2003 as one of the most exciting times of their lives. Each had a child
that suffered from a cleft lip. And every one of them received a free
Operation Blessing-sponsored surgery! Now their children can begin to
eat normally, will be less susceptible to sickness, and can lead healthy,
normal lives. Meet a couple of these children who were recently set free!
A Baby’s Smile
Despite her cleft lip, Siti Salika smiled like only babies can. The six-month-old’s
bright eyes took in everything, even the hurtful stares of strangers.
As a new parent, Siti’s mother had a lot more to get used to than
others. Because of the birth defect it was difficult for her daughter
to breast feed, making eating times much longer.
A Chance At Life
Siti’s parents were in despair. They were a part of the 27% of Indonesians
living below the poverty line, making about $2 a month as fishermen. There
was no money for doctor’s visits or medicine when their daughter
got sick. Surgery was out of the question. Would she be able to go to
school, despite social rejection? Would she ever have friends? Could she
marry? This summer Operation Blessing answered, “Yes” to all
of the family’s questions. Little Siti was accepted for cleft lip
surgery and set free from a life of impending sorrow!
Before her first birthday Siti was thankfully released from the hard
life a person with cleft lip/palate usually goes through. However, many
endure years of medical problems and social rejection. Teens like Sukiman.
A Lonely Existence
Sukiman, 15, spent his days alone at home instead of attending school
with his seven brothers and sisters. His life of seclusion began in the
third grade. Sukiman’s classmates had teased him mercilessly about
his severe cleft lip, forcing him to drop out. Making the equivalent of
$3 a day as rice farmers, his parents couldn’t afford to get their
son surgery. Over the years, his adult top teeth had grown in twisted,
with a couple of them sticking out when he closed his mouth. Eating or
drinking was messy and embarrassing. Sukiman didn't want to go on living
this way.
Life's New Chapter
Then the teenage boy's life changed dramatically. Sukiman was ecstatic
when he and his parents found out Operation Blessing's Set a Child Free
program was doing cleft lip and palate surgeries for free! He went to
the hospital for an evaluation and the surgical team decided he was a
perfect candidate. When he received surgery in June 2003, it ended a life
filled with torment. The successful operation allowed Sukiman to return
to the classroom where he could meet friends and get an education that
will allow him to fulfill his dreams.
There are hundreds of thousands of children around the world that are
still waiting for cleft lip or palate surgery. Please help us bring them
out of the shadows of rejection so they can begin to really live. Your
gift of just $34 a month for 12 months -- or a special gift of $400 –
will sponsor corrective surgery for one boy or girl suffering from a cleft
lip or palate.
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