Cleft Lip is a condition that forms during the early stages of a baby’s life, but can have lifelong negative effects for each child. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, some babies suffering from cleft lip are unable to reverse this condition due to a lack of local doctors equipped to treat each baby.
To meet this growing need, one Christian charity is working with partner hospitals to help local children and provide the reconstructive surgeries that they need to smile again.
Source: www.samaritanspurse.org
Bethany Densham – Samaritan’s Purse
Hi, my name is Bethany Densham. I’m a cleft lip and cataract program manager. Cleft lip is a congenital deformity. It develops in the very early stages of pregnancy, usually between around about the fourth and sixth week of pregnancy is when it begins.
Brittany Seabaugh – Samaritan’s Purse
A lot of people don’t realize that with these kids and their deformities, they’re not treated well back home.
Esperence Tiko – Patient’s Mother
They started calling her ‘Osi’ (means torn). When I got home I asked my husband for some money but he refused. Look at his loose teeth. That’s what I was told here in my uncle’s village.
Rapani Cadeau – Patient’s Mother
My husband’s family told me that I’m disturbing their child
Brittany
Being the nurse here constantly with the patient throughout the process you get to love on them. You get to tell them they’re beautiful. You get to tell them that Jesus loves them.
Esperence
I see that all of this is the work of God and it is also because they are people of God that they thought of this project.
Jackson Moise – Samaritan’s Purse
This program is helping many people return their smile in their communities and for the glory of the Lord.
My goodness. Say they go to say, why don’t I go, wow, Santana, my spirit is so I’m gonna say, I didn’t.
Esperence
Seeing her mouth like that makes me very happy. I was sad and wondering who would be able to help me.
Rapani
If God helps him to grow up, I wish he could become a doctor so that one day he too will come to help other people.
Dr Bill Rhodes – Missionary Surgeon
One of the biggest things that we can do with these campaigns is to continue to do it. This program that Samaritan’s Purse has devised is hugely helpful in communities and for individuals to feel the love of God, to know His concern for their lives in a very practical way of.
Rapani
I only pray that God blesses this hospital and the doctors who came to do the surgeries may they prosper.
Thank you so much to each of you who supports us. A huge, huge part of the support that we are just grateful for is people’s prayers for this program. We are incredibly grateful for.
People Interviewed and their Titles
Bethany Densham – Samaritan’s Purse
Brittany Seabaugh – Samaritan’s Purse
Esperence Tiko – Patient’s Mother
Rapani Cadeau – Patient’s Mother
Jackson Moise – Samaritan’s Purse
Dr Bill Rhodes – Missionary Surgeon
Recording Location
Democratic Republic of Congo
Organization featured in this Story
Samaritans Purse – www.samaritanspurse.org
Producing Organization
Samaritans Purse – www.samaritanspurse.org
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