Baby Salika Before Surgery Baby Salika After Surgery Sukiman Before Surgery Sukiman After 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.

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.

 

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