A smile shouldn’t cost anything…
But Odette needs a new face.
The Aegis Trust is launching a Christmas Appeal for a girl from Rwanda whose lower face was maimed in the 1994 genocide. Lots of people would like to have plastic surgery. But eleven years after a soldier put a gun to her jaw and blew it away, Odette Mupenzi needs it if she is to survive.
What happened?
In 1994, during the genocide in Rwanda, Odette was hiding under a bed. One of the killers found her, shot her and left her for dead. Somehow she survived. Today she masks her jaw with a scarf, because she does not want to give anyone who took part in the genocide the satisfaction of seeing her pain. Now, Odette is suffering from infections that will lead to her death if she is not treated within a year.
What has been done?
After the genocide a Swiss NGO arranged for Odette to have reconstructive surgery in Switzerland, but the money ran out before it was finished and she was sent home. In South Africa and later in Germany, the same thing happened.
What is Aegis doing?
The Aegis Trust is appealing for the estimated £30,000 it will take to bring her to England to reconstruct her face and enable her to talk and eat properly. £30,000 is 120 years’ salary for Odette.
The Pears Foundation has offered to match pound for pound donations from the public, up to £10,000. Any funds we raise over the target will go towards the support of other genocide survivors in Rwanda, through the work of Aegis Trust.
What can I do?
Call 0870 042 9177 with your credit card details or click below to donate online. You can also make your donation to Odette’s surgery a Christmas gift for someone else. On request, Aegis will send notice of the donation on your behalf to your friend or relative for you – ask for details or fill out our online form.
A smile shouldn’t cost anything.
It certainly shouldn’t cost Odette her life.
