This boy ran to hug us as we arrived. So full of love. His house had been transformed since yesterday. A new "africa cloth" hung in the doorway. A wooden couch and stools were in front. And Habimana was washed and in clean clothes. All of this is because the community has seen what Operation Smile has done in the life of this little boy. The neighbors loaned the cloth , the furniture and the clothes. There was a jubulant air about the place.
Mom and Habimana spoke to us about the changes that have taken place in their lives. Once outcast, now accepted. They now have hopes and dreams where none were possible before.
Habimana and his new best friends strolled down the narrow footpath, confident and happy. They were off to play a game of soccer. The ball a simple one - made of rags.
Habimana told me, "Before you came to Rwanda people used to call me "Cleft boy" and they would tease me. That made me sad. I did not go to school because the other kids made fun of me. I just stayed at home alone. But then you chose me for surgery. You fixed my lip. And now my life has changed. Now I have friends. I am looking forward to going to school. I am happy and now people call me by my name - Habimana - not Cleft Boy anymore. Thank you for all you did for me."
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