Palate Surgery Report of Yorn Meng

Meng lives in the impoverished Cambodian village of Pursat Province. After her parents, divorced, her mother was not able to support daily food, Meng with her two siblings left home to stay with aunt since she was two years old. Now Meng is a student at third grade.

Born with cleft palate, Meng has now lived with the embarrassing birth defect for thirteen years. Meng speaks unclear; she is difficult reading; classmates make fun at her, Meng did not have many friends to play with. Meng wouldn’t have to put up with the malicious teasing from her classmates and villagers.

Mrs. Sokim, who was Meng’s aung, was desperate to fix Meng’s cleft palate, but she has not money for surgery. She is rice farmer. She could only support daily food in extended family.

While visiting of local pastor in Meng’s village in August 2008, little Meng heard CBN’s cleft lip project. This brought new hope to Meng and Mrs. Sokim. Meng met CBN’s staff and they arranged for Meng’s free surgery at a hospital in Phnom Penh.

Following the successful surgery, Meng is now all smiles. Her aunt and siblings are so excited for her.

“I would like to thank CBN and kind donors who provide this help.” Meng said. “Thanks for visiting me on three post operative examination, I can speak and read normally. Thanks you so much!”

Mrs. Sokim would have never expected to afford the numerous surgeries. She expressed her gratefulness. “Thanks for providing us with hope and strength and provided my daughter to live happy life.”