Her Parents Didn't Know How They Would Help Her

When baby Srey Nea was born with a cleft lip, her parents in a remote Cambodian village were overwhelmed. Her mother, Roeurng Sokieng, struggled to imagine how they would care for her.

"I said to my husband, ‘If this is going to be so hard, maybe we should give her to someone else to raise,’" Roeurng confessed. "But he said, ‘No. No matter what, we will take care of our little girl.’ I asked him, ‘How can we afford to take care of her? We’re barely getting by as it is.’"

Her older sister, Srey Na, was devastated when she overheard their mother’s fears.

"Mom wanted to give her away to someone else in the village, but I could not let that happen," Srey Na said tearfully. "I love her too much."
The pressure on the family only worsened as neighbors began to gossip cruelly about Srey Nea.

"They were so mean," said her father, Khloeng Ruon. "They gossiped about her and called her names like ‘brok lip.’ I was furious, but I could not do anything about 
it."

Despite his frustration, Ruon was determined to find a way to help his daughter.

"I’m trying to save for her operation," he said. "I will work any type of job. I would do anything for my family."

The family’s hopes were realized when Operation Blessing stepped in. Thanks to the kindness of generous supporters, Operation Blessing paid for Srey Nea to receive surgery to repair her cleft lip.

The operation was a success, and the transformation was life-changing for the family.

"Her face looks different now," Ruon said, beaming with pride. "She actually looks really pretty when she smiles. And she does not choke anymore. It’s amazing!"
Sokieng was overwhelmed with gratitude.

"I can’t even find the words right now," she said. "I’m so incredibly grateful to God for making this happen. It’s like a dream come true! He’s helped me so much, and I’ll never forget everything He’s done for me. Thank you to Operation Blessing!"

Srey Na, who never stopped loving and supporting her baby sister, also shared her joy.
"My sister’s cleft lip is all healed now," she said with a big smile. "Thank you to the kind people who helped her!"