Heartbreak at Birth  

Baby Sonareaksa, “Sonar,” was born with a cleft lip and palate. Her family said they were heartbroken. “When I gave birth, I did not realize my baby had a cleft lip until my sister showed me. I almost fainted,” recalled the baby’s mother, Samphors. 

Sonar’s dad was overwhelmed with emotion too. “My heart was broken!” said Sona. “Some people said we should give her away…but I said ‘NO.’”

Baby Sonar lives with her parents, a brother, Pahhnah, and six-year-old sister Vatey. They help their mom look after her. “When my sister cries I carry her to the coconut tree where we play,” Vatey told CBN. “Some kids saw her and called her names. I was angry but I did not know what to do.”

“She chokes when she drinks milk,” said Pahhnah with tear filled eyes. “My parents don't have any money, so I don’t know how we can fix it.” 

Then Operation Blessing arranged for Baby Sonar and her parents to travel to the city. There we paid for her to receive free surgery to repair her cleft lip. 

“Now I don't have to worry about my daughter's future!” declared Samphors, almost laughing. “Now she can eat and drink without choking like before. She is gaining weight after the surgery."

“I'm glad my sister had surgery,” added Vatey with a smile. “Thank you to the people who made my sister’s lips look like mine! She is so pretty.”