Despite the three thin strips of translucent bandage, she could see that the volunteer doctors on the Africa Mercy had corrected the cleft lip that had kept her isolated from people throughout her whole life. She was amazed. She could hardly grasp the fact that she would now smile like everyone else.
Isatu was born with a cleft lip that created an unpleasant, even angry, expression on her face. It disrupted her upper lip and front teeth...and her entire life. She had spent her 13 years at home, helping her mother keep house for the family, which included a sister and two brothers.
Since West African culture views deformities as a sign of a curse, the cleft lip prevented Isatu from making friends and going to school.
Then hope appeared in the form of a radio advertisement. A Mercy Ship was coming to Sierra Leone, bringing surgeons who could fix cleft lips. Isatu was delighted.
At the Mercy Ships medical screening, Isatu's father described her as a very friendly girl who is a big help at home. But she sat expressionless as he spoke. Her father answered all questions for her. Quiet and withdrawn, she did not speak to anyone – a defense mechanism learned from years of being shunned.
Isatu was the first patient to receive the priceless appointment card for cleft lip surgery in the Sierra Leone Field Service. And what a difference the surgery made in her life. Almost overnight, she was transformed from a very somber girl to one who giggled about everything and made friends among patients recuperating in the ward. The successful cleft lip surgery gave her a whole new perspective on herself and on her life, evident in the beautiful new smile she generously bestowed on everyone.
When Isatu's brother arrived to take her home, his delight with Isatu's successful surgery was obvious. He even revealed that because of the difference the surgery had made, Isatu was to be enrolled in adult education classes, followed by training to become a seamstress. Isatu beamed as she realized she would soon be preparing for a productive life.
With pride and affection, her brother said, "Now she can get married and have a family." Getting married and having children is of prime importance to young women in Sierra Leone, a goal previously prohibited by Isatu's cleft lip.
Outlook of Hope is the name of one of the projects being undertaken by volunteers serving with the international charity Mercy Ships during the current ten-month assignment to the West Africa nation of Sierra Leone, one of the world's poorest countries. Mercy Ships is working with Sierra Leone's Ministry of Health, Smile Train and local surgeons to provide specialized surgeries that will result in life-changing and, in many cases, life-saving changes.
Through the project, Mercy Ships expects to provide up to 650 surgeries for patients affected by maxillofacial deformities, including tumours, complications of injury or infection; more than 150 cleft lip and palate repairs; counseling and other services to help patients return to society; along with required physical, occupational and speech therapy services.
Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978 providing free health care and community development services to the forgotten poor. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor.
The emphasis is on the needs of the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the world's largest charity hospital ship Africa Mercy, with a crew of more than 450 volunteer, provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time. Mercy Ships works on land-based projects in Sierra Leone in partnership with other organisations, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. Mercy Ships Australia, one of 15 international support offices is based on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.
Visit CTindex for contact details of Mercy Ships.
