The Joy of Little Tina, a Xơ-Đăng Child

Tina is the third child of an indigenous Xơ-Đăng family living in the sun-drenched, windy land of Krong-Pak, Central Highlands. Unfortunately, Tina was born with a cleft lip and palate, a condition that neither her family nor the village had ever encountered before.

Her mother, Rưng, and her husband own about 1.5 hectares of rice fields, enough to feed their family. The couple mainly relies on casual labor, which, though unstable, is the only means they have to improve their economic situation. In October 2023, Rưng and her husband took Tina to Buon Ma Thuot University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, as part of a free surgery program called Operation Smile, hoping their daughter would soon receive the treatment she needed. It was also revealed that Tina was not the only child in the family with a health issue; their eldest child suffers from meningitis. During Rưng's pregnancy with Tina, she occasionally had trouble breathing but had no idea that her baby would be born with a deformity. When Tina was born, the family was shocked and deeply saddened.

Despite the hardships, there was still hope. As soon as they were informed about the free surgery program by the local authorities, Rưng and her husband quickly took Tina to Buon Ma Thuot. Since Tina was still able to breastfeed well and had the required weight and health, she was eligible for the surgery. After waiting for a morning, when the doctors called her name to the recovery room, Rưng held her daughter with tears in her eyes. The surgery was a success, and her smile was restored. The next day, after a final check-up by the doctors, the whole family left the hospital with joy in their hearts, grateful for the wonderful outcome.

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