Living with craniofacial differences in societies dominated by looks is hard. This is made even more painful for those in countries where lack of awareness of the condition, limited access to healthcare, and poverty become barriers to solutions. These babies become children, teenagers, and adults who feel that living a ‘normal’ life seems impossible.

Love Without Reason is an unusual medical team that evaluates each potential patient with surgical and anesthesia consultants. A thorough exam will help the medical professionals determine each patient’s health and determine if they have a final clearance for surgery. Children and adults with clefts are prone to lung infection, feeding issues, and even other medical concerns.

We often hear about the power of a mother’s love. Cecilia was one of those mothers. Cecilia arrived at the medical camp in Nairobi. This time, Cecilia’s grown adult children brought their elderly mother to find out if this medical camp might consider her for a cleft lip repair. She kept her eyes to the ground, even when we approached her to greet her. Her children wanted to give their mother confidence as she had always given them. Her children asked the team, “Can anyone operate on our mother? Even though she is over 70 years of age?”

Cecilia was cleared for surgery by the entire medical team. The children’s questions were full of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation. “What will she look like? Has she been in pain all her life because of her cleft lip? Cecilia had given a life full of love. It was comforting for her to be accompanied to the hospital by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They all wanted to be with their “Go-Go.” When Cecilia left for surgery, the family was well aware of the risks of surgery, but they again held on to hope.

When their mother was released from recovery and the bandages were removed, the family erupted in shouts of joy. Mama Cecilia had a new smile, and this time the smile reached her eyes. As she was discharged from the hospital, she looked Santhosh Mathews, co-founder of Love Without Reason, straight in the eye. “You come to my home, and I will cook you goat curry from my herd.” The entire team laughed at the tremendous physical and emotional transformation in Cecilia.

Your donations make a difference. Let’s not allow others to live a life where they are asked, “Why hasn’t anyone helped her in all these years?”