
Out of hiding: Victorina is now comfortable to socialise and participate in games
After an operation healed her cleft lip, the young girl is making friends and enjoying life
Kenia Diva
Victorina Bibiana, a young girl from Angola, is finally able to speak with confidence. For most of her life she lived quietly in the shadows, trying to hide the severe cleft lip that disfigured her face. She was abandoned by her father, spurned by other children and unable to attend school.
Additionally, she struggled to eat and was badly malnourished.
But, her life changed last year when one of our donors visited her and her mother Delfina – known as Fina – and offered to get her the surgery she desperately needed.
However, it meant that Victorina and Fina had to leave home for hospital in another province. Fina had to leave her farming activities too.
“When I heard that my daughter could have an operation, I wasn’t afraid to leave everything, because nothing compares to the fact that my daughter’s life would change forever and that I would be able to contemplate her true face. Since she was born, I only saw her with this disability,” explained Fina.
Getting well enough
Because she was so malnourished and suffering from a number of other infections, it would take three months of medical treatment to get her nutritionally, physically and psychologically well enough to undergo the surgery. ForAfrika assisted the mother and daughter with therapeutic foods during this time and arranged for accommodation near the hospital.
When she was at last ready, the operation took two-and-a-half hours to complete and the volunteer surgeon, Dr Mir Khan, said it was one of the most difficult he had ever performed. Previous surgical attempts by ill-equipped doctors when Victorina was younger had made matters much worse.
“I would be happier if I could bring even more cosmetic results for this child,” he said, the emotion catching in his throat.
Assistant surgeon, Dr Samuel, said: “She suffered for many years, but I am now looking forward to seeing what life will bring to this lovely girl. She will now feel more confident and capable of being whatever she wants. I want her to read with confidence, look at people’s faces without fear, and fight for herself. This surgery has changed her life forever.”
‘Unbelievable’ change

“Saying thank you is an understatement,” said Fina. “It’s a dream come true. My daughter is a different person now and will be able to live in peace with herself and our community. It’s unbelievable.”
She says that Victoriana’s health is much improved; she has picked up weight, her skin is brighter and her hair back to its normal colour; no longer tinged with the yellowish signs of malnutrition. Victorina has made some friends and is happier to participate in games with them.
“My daughter’s self-esteem has improved. She can speak with confidence, jokes without shame, and has done excellently at school.”
Improvements at school
The school principal, Afonso Ambrósio, concurs: “Her writing is improving, she is more sociable. She is no longer isolated and suffering prejudice because now everyone wants to be close to her. The community sees her story as a miracle; a blessing! She has become a gift to all of us.
“We want to thank all the donors, everyone involved for this good. And we ask and pray that they will continue to help this family. Especially Victorina; she needs to have a good education to grow even more,” he concluded.
Kenia Diva is Communications Officer for Angola