A ray of sunshine in Mzuzu: Mercy's story

Today Mercy’s a bright and energetic five year old, and a ray of sunshine to all who meet her. When we saw her most recently at February’s surgical programme In Mzuzu, she was as happy as ever, playing with other patients or entertaining our volunteers with her mischievous antics.

Mercy was back this time for surgery to repair a fistula. Fistulas can sometimes occur after palate surgery if the wound doesn’t heal properly, but Mercy – now well used to being around surgeons and medical volunteers – bravely greeted everyone and took It all in her stride! Even recovering from surgery couldn’t dampen her spirits!

Mum Elina still remembers the bullying her family went through after Mercy was born with a cleft. She was understandably shocked and concerned when she saw Mercy’s cleft lip and palate for the first time, but was given renewed hope when the doctor told her that Operation Smile Malawi could provide her with free, safe surgery, as soon as Mercy was old enough.

Elina was lucky to have the support and encouragement of her family and neighbours during those first few difficult weeks. She threw all her efforts into making sure Mercy was strong enough for surgery and in just a few months, the time came for the family to board the bus for the 10-hour journey to the surgical programme in Blantyre.

As is often the case, no one in Mercy’s village had ever seen a cleft before, so when they arrived at the programme site, Elina was surprised and relieved to discover that they weren’t alone. In fact, hundreds of other families were there too, all hoping to receive life-changing cleft surgery for their children.

The medical volunteers gave Mercy a comprehensive health evaluation to make sure she was well enough to receive surgery, and like any loving parent would be, Elina was initially scared when her daughter was carried into the Operating Room. But, she was reassured by the kindness and empathy she received from the Operation Smile team, and felt sure that Mercy was in safe hands.

Elina was overjoyed with her daughter’s transformation and after Mercy’s first surgery, she said, “I am so thankful for everything you did to help my daughter. Please continue to help others!”

A future without fear and prejudice

That first surgery gave Mercy the chance to grow up without the bullying and isolation that children with untreated clefts often endure. This is the reason that many children with cleft conditions don’t attend school – it’s common for the whole family to be shunned because of the stigma and misunderstanding that surrounds a cleft. Mercy’s surgery means that people in her village now understand that cleft conditions aren’t to be feared and that treatment is available. Elina is keen to spread the message further and for Mercy to be an inspiration for other children with cleft conditions.

Mercy’s now enjoying primary school and has lots of friends. At breaktime she loves to sing and dance with the other children, and told us that when she grows up she wants to be a secondary school teacher just like her dad.

Speech therapy is helping to further build Mercy’s confidence with communicating and we’re told she very much enjoys her sessions. Elina said that before her therapy, people would struggle to understand her daughter, but now Mercy can speak clearly, and loves to repeat everything she’s learned to her mum when she gets home from her sessions!

“I really appreciate the care that Operation Smile has been giving to Mercy!” Elina said.

We look forward to meeting Mercy again in the future and seeing how her new, exciting future is shaping up.