A huge smile broke onto Aunt Linda's face as her niece, Mutale, came out of surgery at the Beit CURE Hospital of Zambia. She exclaimed, "Finally, in God's own timing, Mutale has found a cure!" Aunt Linda raised Mutale since she was a baby and for many years, she had assumed that there was no hope for Mutale's cleft palate. She assumed that Mutale would never be able to eat or speak correctly and would be prone to infections. The years of worrying made this joyous day all the more special.

When Mutale was a baby, Aunt Linda took her to a nearby hospital for help. However, at the hospital they were met with two insurmountable obstacles. There was only one doctor who alternated between this hospital and others. Many people were waiting to receive care. So many, in fact, that Mutale would have to wait many long months in order to have surgery. Worse still, the surgery would cost over $1000, far beyond what Aunt Linda could afford.

Her spirit broken, Aunt Linda did not even schedule an appointment. She consoled herself with the thought that despite her disability, at least little Mutale was alive.

Five years passed and Mutale grew from a precious baby into a cheerful and caring girl. She was a considerate child, valuing the well-being of others more than her own. Although her cleft palate made it difficult to eat and impeded her speech, Mutale suffered quietly and maintained a sweet disposition.

One day while visiting friends in Kitwa, Aunt Linda encountered a large crowd outside a church. Elbowing her way into the group, she leaned over to one onlooker and asked what was happening. It was a group of medical staff offering free consultations to children with disabilities. Aunt Linda's emotions were split. She was excited but wondered if she could even dare to hope that help would be available for Mutale? For Mutale's sake, she absolutely had to give it a try. Dropping all her other plans, she headed home to fetch Mutale. Upon their return, Aunt Linda was stunned when Mutale was immediately booked for surgery at the CURE's hospital in Lusaka.

Mutale continues to heal well from her surgery. Aunt Linda believes that Mutale's disability to have helped her grow in her faith. "I realize how much God has blessed me. There are so many everyday things we all take for granted," she says. Now, through CURE, Mutale can look forward to a new future, hopefully with many more blessings to come.