Cleft lip shames Cambodian family
Born with a cleft lip, Chaiya was abandoned by his parents and left to the care of his grandmother, Dean.
Thanks to OBI donors, Chaiya was able to have corrective surgery and return to his village unashamed.
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POSTED: March 14, 2007
By Staci Dennis
POR PENG, Cambodia - When baby Chaiya was born, it was anything but a celebration.
Chaiya was born with a cleft lip, a deformity that affects approximately one in every 700 infants. The birth defect results from the lip and/or palate failing to close during fetal development.
It can create hearing, speech and dental problems – and in severe cases – prevent a child from getting the proper nutrition due to chewing and swallowing problems.
In Chaiya's village, a facial deformity is considered shameful. Even if the family opted to correct the condition, an operation of that magnitude would be too expensive.
Devastated and ashamed, Chaiya's parents abandoned him, leaving eight-month-old Chaiya to face life without his family. Fortunately, his grandmother, Dean, took him into her home to live with four other family members.
Dean wanted to get her grandson's cleft lip repaired but was told by local nurses to wait until he was 15, or until she could save enough money to pay for his surgery.
"I wanted to see Chaiya normal like the other kids," Dean said, who works at a meat plant earning $15 a month. In addition, she supplements her income by planting rice in her neighbor's fields.
Thanks to Operation Blessing donors, when OBI heard about Chaiya's dilemma, they were able to step in and cover the costs for his surgery.
"I can see my grandson is not the same," Dean said. "Without you, I am not able to help my grandson."
Chaiya, now 4, still lives with his grandmother in a small thatched-roof house with palm leaf walls, but life has changed dramatically.
In a village where most of the population is farmers and being part of the community is essential to thriving, Chiaya can finally participate without shame.
"He now looks like other boys in Cambodia," said Kittima Onlahoong, a representative for Operation Blessing. "Chiaya can find a job in society when he grows up."
How You Can Help
Take part in bringing life-changing surgery to those in need by giving toward OBI's Cleft Lip and Palate program. A gift of just $34 a month for 12 months – or a special gift of $400 – will sponsor a corrective surgery for a child who otherwise would not be able to afford such medical care. Please make an online donation today.
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