Monu’s Journey to Self-Belief

If scoring low marks in mathematics, struggling to learn how to ride a bicycle, mastering dance moves, playing soccer, or dealing with teenage heartaches caused you pain during adolescence, then Monu could be your role model.

In a village near Varanasi, the arrival of Mukesh and Guddi Devi’s first child should have been a moment of joy, but instead, it brought a wave of fear, confusion, and whispered doubts. Monu was born with a cleft — something his parents had never seen or heard of before.

“I didn’t know what went wrong! I had my ultrasounds during pregnancy, but nothing was revealed. I cried night after night, blaming myself for all of this, worrying about the future of my son,” Guddi Devi exclaimed.

As the family struggled to navigate life with a newborn facing so many challenges, an unexpected encounter changed everything. Monu’s grandmother met another parent who had once walked the same painful path. They told her about Smile Train — a name that meant nothing to them at the time but would soon change their lives forever.

Desperate for their child’s wellbeing yet hesitant, Mukesh and Guddi Devi decided to take a leap of faith. At G. S. Memorial Hospital, they learned that their son’s condition could be treated — free of cost. It took time for Monu to become healthy enough for surgery, but eventually, his cleft lip surgery was successful. At the right time, he also underwent a successful palate surgery. Everything seemed to be falling into place, but in reality, it wasn’t as simple as it seemed.

With time, Monu’s scars healed, but his speech was unclear. “At school, teachers barely asked me questions because they couldn’t understand my answers. Classmates would look at me with pity or avoid me. During recess, I’d sit alone, eating my tiffin in silence,” Monu sighed. “As I grew, I became more self-conscious. My hands would sweat whenever I had to speak to anyone — whether at school, in the neighborhood. I was known as the quietest boy in my locality, but that wasn’t me. It was my own hesitation holding me back.”

Monu’s parents did recognize this as an issue and sought help at G. S. Memorial Hospital, where he had received his free cleft surgeries. This marked a turning point in his life. Monu began Smile Train-sponsored speech therapy at the hospital, followed by orthodontic treatment, giving him a fresh start. 

Monu was determined to give his life a second chance. He diligently practiced his speech at home — sometimes in front of his parents, sometimes in front of a mirror, and even in the bathroom, watching his reflection in the water bucket. With each passing day, his confidence grew. Now, at 14, Monu’s speech has greatly improved, and his self-assurance has soared. 

“My under-confidence was a temporary state. With the right support from my doctors and belief in myself, I was able to overcome my speech challenges. I feel more comfortable starting conversations and dreaming big. You have to be patient with yourself; change doesn’t happen overnight!” Monu’s face reflected the brightest grin as he shared this.

His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, showing that with the right support and self-belief, anything is possible.