Yaw's Story

Yaw, was six-month old and came from the Brong Ahafo Region. He was born with cleft on of the left side of his top lip. His mother was quite upset about it and had contemplated killing the baby but lacked the courage to do so. She tried to find help for her son and was eventually referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. The Cleft team counseled and reassured her that her son could be treated. Even though the doctors were in a position to assist, the parents could not afford the treatment.

The Foundation stepped in to help by providing funds towards the cost of transportation to enable the family attends for follow-up. The surgery was carried out when the child was 3 months old with a good outcome. Yaw’s mother later admitted that if the lip had not been repaired, she would have killed him by pouring akpeteshie (a local alcoholic drink) down his throat. She added, “The first time I contemplated it I realized I didn’t have the courage to kill him but this time if the lip had not been repaired after all the assurances I would have killed the boy to relieve myself of the burden I have felt after giving birth to this child. Now I see a child I love, and sometimes I have feelings of guilt for having thought of killing him”.