“When Dinan was born, I didn’t know what to do,” Daphine shared quietly. “I had never seen a child with a cleft lip before. I was confused… even scared.” 

People stared. Some sneered. Others asked painful questions that made her heart sink.
“I stopped going out,” she said. “I felt ashamed because everywhere I went, people looked at my baby like something was wrong with him. It hurt me so much.” 

 

Problems with sleeping and eating

 

Every day came with a new struggle. Feeding Dinan was difficult, each swallow felt like a fight for breath. “He would choke, or gasp, or cry,” she recalled. “Most nights we didn’t sleep. He was always sick; colds, flu.” 

As a single mother, running a home and having to care for Dinan full time became overwhelming. “I had to stop working. Who would I leave him with?” she explained. “I was depending on friends, borrowing for food. Many nights, I slept hungry. I just prayed every day that one day he would be normal, like other children.” 

 

A Mother’s Heart at Ease

 

When Operation Blessing heard about Dinan’s situation, your generosity made it possible for him to receive the life-changing cleft lip surgery he desperately needed. 

“I never imagined this day would come,” Daphine said with a smile. “When I look at Dinan now, I see a healthy, happy child. He looks just like other children. My heart is at peace.” 

     

Dinan now eats without struggling. He sleeps through the night. He even began walking confidently,” something I feared would never happen. 

“It’s like a burden was lifted from my shoulders,” she said. “I am no longer stressed or worried all the time. I can work again and even take him to daycare with peace in my heart.” 

“You helped my child. You helped me. I don’t have enough words to thank you. May God bless you for giving my son a new life. May you continue helping many families like ours.” She said with so much gratitude. 

 

 

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