Assiatou leaned forward gingerly, pressing her foot to the ground — heel first, then the sole, until even her toes were flat on the hospital floor. She shuffled forward carefully before a smile broke out across her face. It was only a tiny movement, but for the...
Imagine carrying the weight of a four kilogram tumour on the side of your face for over 25 years. Living a life of ridicule and shame. This is what happened to Valerie, as she lived everyday as if it was her last. Her heart broke even more when she discovered that a...
At fifteen years of age, Nana was given in marriage and pregnancy soon followed. After counting nine full moons, Nana prepared herself to give birth but the baby did not come. After three days of medical care in a local hospital, the now lifeless baby was delivered....
Despite working in the medical field in Cameroon for over 17 years, Fanta was too frightened to seek treatment for a tumour under her right arm. For nearly 10 years, she learned to strategically hide the tumour under draped shawls while she worked, refusing to have it...
Awa has lived with her cleft lip for over forty years. Many people could not see past her disfigured mouth, to see the loving wife, mother, and daughter who thrives on making others smile. With no means to pay for an operation, Awa had accepted living with her...
At sixteen, Akissi was so excited as she went into labour with her first child. Excitement led to devastation as she struggled for several days and eventually her baby died. Akissi discovered that she now had loss of bladder control and the prospect of not being able...