Valincianna Gomes, a cheerful and determined six-grader from Port Kaituma Primary School, has always been known for her lively spirit. But beneath her vibrant personality, Valincianna harbored a deep pain. Born with a cleft lip, she faced relentless bullying at school, which left her feeling isolated and self-conscious. Still, she refused to let her circumstances define her and began searching for a way to end the bullying she endured daily.
One afternoon, while speaking with Mr. Joseph Moore, a respected elder in her community, Valincianna shared her distress. Mr. Moore listened and offered a hopeful suggestion: “There’s a lady from Food For the Poor in the community right now. Maybe you should talk to her and see if she can help.”
That lady was me, Valini Leitch, Senior Projects Associate with Food For the Poor (Guyana). I was in Port Kaituma on another assignment when, late one afternoon, I heard a confident knock on my door. I opened it to find a little girl standing there with a mix of determination and hope in her eyes. She quickly introduced herself as Valincianna Gomes and began telling me about her desire to have her cleft lip repaired so she could finally stop the bullying she faced at school.
I was deeply moved by her courage and immediately knew I had to help. I took down all her information, assured her that I would do everything in my power to support her, and upon my return to Georgetown, I shared her story with the coordinator of Food For the Poor (Guyana)’s Benevolence Programme.
Thanks to Valincianna’s bravery and the swift actions of our team, her wish for a better life quickly set into motion. On Saturday, September 7th, Valincianna underwent surgery at Balwant Singh’s Hospital to repair her cleft lip. The surgery was a success, and I am thrilled to report that she is healing well.
Valincianna’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of taking action. Her courage to seek help and speak up for herself has made a significant difference in her life. She is now on her way to living with the confidence and happiness she deserves, free from the bullying that once clouded her days.
As Valincianna continues to recover, her journey serves as a reminder of the impact one brave voice can make and the importance of organizations like Food For the Poor (Guyana) in transforming lives. We are all proud of Valincianna, who, with her newfound smile, is ready to face the world with renewed strength and self-assurance.