Aissatou Diallo – Sweetly Restored

Beautiful baby Aissatou was unaware of the ridicule and taunts about her deformed lip.

The white steri-strips above her lips crinkle as baby Aissatou presents an adorable smile to the nurses. She is as cute as a button with her bright eyes and vibrant smile. However, her life faced an immediate and tough challenge when she was born with a cleft lip. This facial deformity is caused when the tissues of a baby’s top lip fail to fuse correctly.

 

 Unaware of her misfortune, Aissatou’s beautiful face observed the world with awe, yet she became the object of daily ridicule. The local community believed that Aissatou’s condition was a sign of a curse, and her mother realized that this superstition would inevitably lead to her being outcast from society. As a result, she feared for Aissatou’s life. “You know my greatest fear was that no one could treat her,” she reminisced with sadness clouding her eyes. “I could never feel at ease meeting people with Aissatou. They were frightened of my baby.” A teardrop fell silently to the floor as she looked down remembering the shame she felt. She clung to the hope that maybe one day there would be treatment available. Then Aissatou would be accepted into society, and her life would no longer be threatened.

As life went on, Aissatou’s mother struggled through the daily episodes of hiding her baby during the trips to the markets. Then one day she heard a radio jingle announcing that Mercy Ships was offering free surgeries. She hurried home to tell her family the good news. However, when she arrived home, she was surprised to discover that a relative had already contacted Mercy Ships and arranged an appointment for Aissatou.

With fearful anticipation, Aissatou’s mother arrived at the dock with her baby and waited nervously. She was delighted when Aissatou was accepted for surgery.

Within a few days, Aissatou’s eyes shone with excitement as nurses and patients showered their love on her. Most importantly, Aissatou discovered her smile . . . and delightfully touched the hearts of all those around her.

Baby Aissatou blessed all those around her with her bright eyes and beautiful smile in the hospital onboard the Africa Mercy.

The baby’s proud and happy mother declared confidently, “If she studies, she will now become president. Thanks to the excellence of Mercy Ships I can praise the Lord.”

After surgery baby Aissatou’s sweet face was restored.

Story by Claire Ross
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Debra Bell