In 2001, we met an 11 year-old girl named Ani living on the island of Pulau Weh. She was suffering with cleft lip and we decided to find a way to help her. Soon after, Ani received surgery and The Children of Sumatra charity was born. When Ani turned twenty she started working for our charity where she picked up new skills. Her confidence grew as a result of her participation in the charity and now she is happily married and pregnant with her first child.
The basic principle which inspired us to help Ani and to subsequently start The Children of Sumatra is that no child should suffer with cleft whilst an easy and inexpensive solution exists. Despite the costs being inexpensive in the West, it is impossible for many Indonesian families to raise the necessary funds, meaning that many children grow up without the chance to have the surgery they so desperately deserve and need. We endeavor to help children as young as possible so that they can have every opportunity to lead happy lives, just like Ani.
