Aminata

 

In a remote African farming village, young Aminata was born with a cleft lip. As she grew older, others teased her for how she looked and ate, causing her to become withdrawn and ashamed.

Embarrassed, 8-year-old Aminata would only nibble at food when she was alone and eventually became malnourished. Her family was distraught about Aminata's worsening condition, but with limited access to medical care where they lived, they had no way of finding the help she needed.  Then one day, Ousman, Aminata’s uncle, heard that Mercy Ships was coming to provide free surgeries. He drove her directly to the Africa Mercy and asked us to help.  “The ship was our only hope,” Ousman told us. ​​​​​

Once onboard the ship, Aminata received surgery to correct her cleft lip, healing her smile and removing the burden of worry from her family.   “We held on to the hope we had,” her uncle told us after Aminata’s surgery. “Now, she has so many more opportunities, and we are so blessed.” Aminata’s condition caused her to hide her light for eight long years, but now she shines bright with a smile that expresses the joy she feels inside.