ACCUSATIONS of prostitution and witchcraft followed the birth of Annah Sabau’s daughter — a stark contrast to the joy that usually surrounds the arrival of a new baby.
Sabau had given birth to a child with a cleft lip.
A cleft lip occurs when the upper lip does not join properly during a baby’s development in the womb. This results in a gap or split in the lip that can sometimes extend up to the nose.
The condition develops between weeks six and nine of pregnancy, when the tissues that form the lip and nose fail to fuse correctly. Causes can include genetics, folic acid deficiency, smoking, or certain medications taken during pregnancy.
For Sabau, the first months of her baby Jaciara Patricio’s life were filled with pain and despair.
“I was shocked to see my daughter’s upper lip like that. It was hard to accept that reality,” she told NewsDay Weekender.
It was the first time she had encountered such a condition, and she initially believed evil spirits were responsible.
After several visits to the hospital, where appointments were repeatedly postponed, and no clear diagnosis was provided, she began to lose hope.
Sabau eventually stopped seeking treatment, unaware that Jaciara’s condition could be surgically corrected.
Children born with a cleft lip often face difficulties with breastfeeding, speech development, ear infections, and dental problems. However, the condition can be successfully treated through surgery.
Beyond the medical challenges, Sabau also struggled with society’s reaction.
“The biggest challenge I had with my daughter’s condition is how people looked at her when we were in public. I would try to hide her from the people,”
Sabau said.
Sabau worried constantly about how her daughter would be treated as she grew older.
Those fears often kept her awake at night.
“When we had lost all hope, my husband’s friend saw Jaciara on my husband’s phone. Fortunately, he knew about CURE Children’s Hospital of Zimbabwe and encouraged my husband to take Jaciara there,” Sabau said with a smile.
From their home in Manica, Mozambique, Sabau contacted the hospital in Bulawayo for a consultation.
“We called the hospital using the number we were given, and they asked for a picture of my daughter. They then scheduled an appointment and told us that all we needed was money for transport from our home in Mozambique to Bulawayo.”
Despite their financial struggles, the family managed to raise the transport fare.
“Things were not good for us, but we persevered and raised the money before the set dates,” she said.
CURE Children’s Hospital offers free surgical repair for children under the age of 18, regardless of the severity of their condition.
For Sabau’s family, it was a miracle they could hardly believe.
At the age of one, Jaciara underwent surgery that successfully repaired the gap in her lip — a condition that had previously drawn stares, whispers, and painful speculation.
“On the day of the operation, I had mixed feelings. My biggest worry was whether my daughter would come out of the operating theatre alive,” Sabau said.
The long hours of surgery heightened her anxiety.
Relief finally came when a nurse called her.
“She told me my daughter was crying and needed my attention.”
At CURE Children’s Hospital, Jaciara’s life-changing surgery was documented — marking a turning point for the family.
“When we returned to Mozambique after the surgery, it felt as if I had come back with a newborn baby. People from all walks of life came to see the wonderful work that had been done on my daughter,” Sabau said.
“For the first time since she was born, I felt happy. I could move around freely and attend community events, even funerals, which had previously been emotionally painful for me.”
Today, Sabau dreams of a bright future for her daughter.
“Although she can become anything she wants, my dream is for my daughter to become a surgeon and help children with conditions like hers,” she said with a smile.
From Mozambique to Zimbabwe, Jaciara’s journey has turned stigma into hope — and given her a permanent smile.