Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
21 March, 2015
Interviewed by Samantha Bossalini

Emmanuel was a quiet 11-year-old boy. He didn’t speak once during the interview, so we spoke with his father, Godfrey. The interview was cut a little short because Emmanuel was prepping for surgery.

Emmanuel was born with a cleft lip/palate. He had come once before to CCBRT in June 2014 to have his cleft lip repaired. He returned in March 2015 to have surgery on his cleft palate.

He attended school, and loved to go, but he had been held back because he had problems with his speech. He was one of four children, and his family’s community had been supportive. We asked Godfrey what his experience had been like, raising a child with a disability. He replied “He’s my son. So, I must take care of him like my other children.” Godfrey was a bit concerned because he wasn’t sure if the palate would be cured.