Life in the rice fields was simple and fulfilling for Theogette. She enjoyed the routine work, caring for her family, and embracing the daily rhythms of village life in Madagascar. But everything changed when she started to suffer from painful toothaches.
A trip to the local dentist led to the troublesome tooth being removed, but in its place, a small bump began to swell and grow relentlessly. As the growth along her jawline spread, whispers started in her village.
Bring hope and healing to children like Theogette
“People said I was sick and contagious,” Theogette recalled. “They influenced my husband, and he left me.”
Theogette was left alone to provide for her three children while living with a tumor that continued to grow on her jaw. For 10 years, she endured the physical pain, emotional isolation, and relentless stigma that came with her condition.
Her family witnessed everything Theogette had been through. Her struggle weighed heavily on her nephew, Ronaldo, and when he heard that people could receive free surgery through Mercy Ships, he knew he had to tell her.
“She would avoid interacting with others because she didn’t have that confidence anymore,” Ronaldo shared. “Maybe after the surgery, she will regain her sense of confidence and live more freely.”
With hope rekindled, Theogette embarked on a three-day journey to the Africa Mercy, traveling by canoe, ferry, and a Mercy Ships vehicle.
When Theogette arrived at Mercy Ships, she was undernourished and underweight. To give her the best chance at a successful surgery, she first worked with Mercy Ships dietitians to improve her nutrition and regain her strength.
Then, at last, the day of healing arrived. As she prepared for surgery, Theogette smiled and gave a confident thumbs-up, exclaiming, “Faly!”—the Malagasy word for “happy.” Soon, the burden she had carried for a decade would finally be lifted, and she could begin rebuilding her life.
“I hope that, after the surgery, I can go back to the farm and be able to work and feed my kids,” she said.
The surgery was a success, though recovery proved challenging. Even so, Theogette’s courage never wavered. After weeks of healing and rehabilitation, she was finally ready to return to her village. Smiling and radiant, she waved goodbye to the Mercy Ships team and began the journey home.
For the first time in a decade, Theogette faced a future unburdened by the tumor. Her determination had carried her through, and her dream of returning to the fields and providing for her children was finally within reach.