From Struggle to Strength: Bena’s Journey
Bena’s parents seized the silver lining and took swift action
In the quiet, picturesque village of Koirengein, nestled in the heart of Imphal East, Manipur, Tombi and Romila eagerly awaited the arrival of their second daughter. Little did they know that this birth would shatter their world.
Before her birth, Tombi and Romila lived a modest yet content life. Tombi worked as a mason to make ends meet, while Romila took care of their home and family. But when Bena was born with a cleft, they fell into a state of despair. They had gone in for ultrasounds, but none suggested anything as such this condition, which they had never seen or heard of before.
The first two weeks after Bena’s birth were overwhelming. Romila often spent sleepless nights trying to feed their daughter. “Sometimes, it was so difficult for me to handle seeing my child struggling to suck the milk out. It made me so anxious about the difficulties she would have to face in the future,” Romila said with tears in her eyes.
The weeks turned into months while the family found themselves fretting over the possibilities. How could they afford the surgery Bena needed? They hardly had enough to sustain themselves day to day.
Suddenly, a ray of hope appeared. They were at Shija Hospitals and Research Institute in Manipur desperately seeking help when they learned it partnered with Smile Train, an organization that supports free cleft surgeries for children like Bena through local hospitals in 75+ countries.
Tombi and Romila couldn’t believe it. Could her surgery really be free? Could there really be a solution that didn’t come with insurmountable costs? Optimistic yet startled, they signed Bena up.
“On the day of surgery, our hearts were filled with both fear and hope,” Romila recalls. “But the cleft team at the hospital was so kind and helpful. They explained everything about clefts and reassured us about the procedure.”
The surgery was a success. The moment the family saw Bena post-surgery, they couldn’t hold back their tears. “It really felt like a miracle,” said Tombi, with the sweetest smile a father could have.
Today, Bena is a lively and active nine-year-old studying in third standard. She dreams of donning a white coat and stethoscope someday, inspired by the doctors who transformed her life.
Through sharing their story, the family hopes to encourage other parents to seek timely help and make a difference in their children's lives.
