Her decade of suffering was removed in hours. In 1992, a cystic tumour began to grow on Kadiatu’s jaw. Over 11 years it spread, impeding her speech, pushing out her teeth and causing others to look at her with scorn.

Though she constantly covered her swollen face with a cloth or scarf, the gruesome effect of the tumour kept her isolated. Still, with three small children to care for and a household to run, Kadiatu endured the taunts and pain. “My worry was my mouth,” said Kadiatu. “I was crying and thinking, how is this problem going to be solved?”  read more »