Daughter of Destiny, Smiles today

A Childhood Without Smiles

Being called “Katti” by her friends and schoolmates, Manisha was shy about playing or being among other children not because she didn’t wish to, but because she could not smile or laugh.
Manisha, from Lohar Tikri Village, Renuka (Himachal Pradesh), had spent most of her childhood indoors not due to a lack of friends or playmates, but because life had given her a challenge few could understand.
While other children in the hills ran through fields and played under the open sky, Manisha preferred to stay home, quietly helping her rural parents. From gathering wood for fuel to washing utensils, she kept herself busy and isolated from the laughter of the outside world.

The Silent Struggle

Unlike other kids her age, Manisha grew into the prime years of her childhood becoming more conscious and losing confidence in herself.
Her problem was not something others could easily empathize with her inability to smile was a gift nature had mistakenly given her at birth. Manisha was born with a congenital deformity known as a Cleft Lip, caused by abnormal facial development during gestation a defect that affects 1 in every 700 infants.
Although this condition can be medically treated through surgery, many children remain untreated due to financial hardship or lack of access to healthcare.

Hope Arrives from the Hills of Baru Sahib

Fortunately, destiny had something beautiful planned for Manisha. Her case was identified during one of the FREE Medical Camps at Akal Charitable Hospital, Baru Sahib, about 85 km from her village.
Volunteers from The Kalgidhar Trust, who organized the camp, learned about Manisha through other patients. Known widely in her village because of her condition, Manisha’s story reached the compassionate ears of the charitable team who decided to visit her home and register her for free surgical treatment under their special surgery camp.
These camps bring together volunteer medical specialists and experts from India and abroad, performing life-changing surgeries for those in need.

A Miracle Restores Her Smile

With God’s grace and the dedicated efforts of the medical experts during this charitable drive, Manisha’s surgery was successfully completed.
For the first time in her life, her graceful smile was restored unlocking the joy of childhood that she could now experience after nine long years of isolation.
Manisha now looks into mirrors with happiness, adoring and smiling at the “new her” she never knew before.

The Power of a Smile

They say a smile is the only natural expression of hope one can realize while looking into a mirror.
Across the world, countless children are still deprived of this simple joy a childhood without a smile, a life without expression.

Be Someone’s Reason to Smile

Just like Manisha found her miracle, you too can be a reason for someone’s smile for a lifetime the most noble and lasting gift money can buy.
Be a part of the India Giving Challenge.
Donate Here to help kids like Manisha who are still waiting for their miracle.