They Called Him “Cleft Boy”

Three-year-old Jun (John) often covered his mouth because other kids laughed at him.

“Kids called him Cleft boy!” his dad reported.  “Then he would get mad and chase them away.” 

The family lives in a remote mountain village in the Philippines.  Jun’s dad, Joel, has been taking care of his son while his wife cares for a relative in another province. Joel said Jun is becoming more withdrawn and losing weight. 

“He can’t really chew his food so he just swallows it straight. He hides in the corner during mealtimes. He would touch his mouth and said, ‘I want to get this fixed.’”

Joel is a farmer and barely makes enough for food. He can't afford to travel to a distant    hospital, let alone pay for surgery.  “I want my son to get an operation so he can study and have a good life. But if no one helps us that won’t happen.”

Then Operation Blessing met with the family and, thanks to YOU, paid for Jun to receive free surgery to repair the cleft lip.  Soon after surgery, we received some video from a friend’s phone showing the operation was a success! 

It turns out that MANY other children in the surrounding villages have children with cleft lips. So Operation Blessing is now working to help them as well!  

“Thank you for helping my son and for doing what you said you would do,” declared Joel. Though we are very far away, you still came and helped us.  Now many other kids will be helped as well!”

Do you know that CBN partners can reach people around the world for Christ every day? We invite you to join us in ministry together as we provide financial support to those in need through our life-giving surgeries, food and clothing programs, humanitarian aid, and so much more! When you give today and become a CBN partner, you’ll help transform lives in the name of Jesus Christ! Join us now!