Arnoldo's Story - Barinas, Venezuela

Meet Arnoldo - one of our patients in Barinas, Venezuela - for more information on Operation Smile UK visit www.operatonsmile.org.uk

At just five years old and already Arnoldo knew about rejection, denial and disappointment. Its a hard lesson for a child whose only desire is to be normal. Through no fault of his own, Arnoldo was born with a disfiguring cleft lip. Outside of his home, his mother told us he would duck and cover his head since it hurt so much to be stared at. Arnoldo loves to play baseball though, and it took a huge amount of courage for him to join the other village kids when they played because they teased him mercilessly.

Every night before going to bed, Arnoldo would pray for a miracle that would make him look just like any other child in his village, one day his prayers prayers were answered. During the Operation Smile medical project to Barinas, Venezuela, he was one of more than 160 children selected for surgery. When his father first saw me in the recovery room, he said, I feel joy, much joy. I thank all the doctors. May they keep performing this good work, not only for my child, but for all the children who need it.

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