Sumalita

4:15 p.m. Tuesday: Dennis Bourassa is an independent filmmaker who is documenting our mission. He arrived two weeks prior to the medical team and drove around the country interviewing children who were planning to come to the clinic. On a six hour drive from Guatemala City, the last hour on dirt, he met 2 ½ year old Sulamita, her parents and six siblings. Sulamita suffers from a bi-lateral cleft lip and cleft palate, but in every other way she is a spunky member of the family.

The family lives in the country, an hour’s drive from the nearest village, although they don’t own a car. They are subsistence farmers growing corn and beans and raising chickens. All work is done by hand as the family owns no tractors, horses or oxen. Mom spins her own yarn and grandma weaves their clothing on a loom.

Sulamita charms everyone who comes in contact with her. A friend learned about our mission on television and Dennis drove the family to the city. The surgery performed by Dr. Schepel is an amazing achievement. When Sulamita’s father first held her following surgery, he lowered his head and quietly wept.