Blog

Sahondra, Madagascar 1996

40 STORIES OF HEALING: Sahondra

Since birth, a cleft lip and palate had limited Sahondra’s ability to eat, speak and even breathe normally. It was nearly impossible to take short controlled breaths through her mouth to ease her asthma attacks. Her cleft lip split her upper lip apart up to her nose, attracting awkward glances from strangers. At thirty years old, Sahondra had no hope she could live a normal life.

The first Mercy Ship Anastasis visited Madagascar in 1996 on a three-month medical mission. The brief stay had an enduring impact. People excluded by society because of their physical conditions experienced love and compassion by the all-volunteer crew. And among those treated was Sahondra.

Sahondra, received two free surgeries that repaired her palate and pharynx. Her asthma disappeared, and for the first time ever Sahondra could eat normally. And people could finally understand what she was saying.

When Sahondra bid farewell to the Anastasis in 1996, never did she imagine that she would see a Mercy Ships vessel or the people aboard again. However, 18 years later, she stood on the dock waiting for her old surgeon Dr Gary, to come down the gangway of a different Mercy Ship – the Africa Mercy.

Sahondra didn’t just return to the ship for a reunion. She underwent a second set of free surgeries on her palate to offer her the best chance at speaking perfectly, and received speech therapy to help her pronounce words clearly for the first time in her life! While Dr Gary worked on her palate, Dr Tertius separated three toes on her right foot and two toes on her left foot, which had been webbed together since birth.

‘Mercy Ships has really changed my life,’ declared Sahondra as she prepared to disembark the Mercy Ship for the last time. ‘My health, my mind are all changed. I have a new hope and a better life!’

Recent posts

Story of Rafael

Rafael, Mexico 1987

Rafael, Mexico 1987 Graeme with Rafael’s photo after surgery Rafael’s transformation Surgeon Dr Gary Parker and Rafael Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Rafael Rafael was a man completely transformed.

Read More »
Volunteer Dr. Mark Shrime

The false dichotomy of relief and development

Dr Mark Shrime advocates for a dual approach in strengthening surgical systems. With 2/3 of the world lacking access to surgical care, the complexity of the issue is highlighted, emphasizing the need for transformative change, partnership, and balanced efforts between relief and development.

Read More »

Share

Related content

Make a difference in Africa together
Subscribe To E-opportunities

Receive here our monthly volunteer Mercy Ships opportunities email

    Merci pour votre inscription ! Cliquez-sur le lien dans l'email de validation qui vient de vous être envoyé afin de confirmer votre inscription (attention : cet mail est peut-être caché dans vos spams).