Dunia
Sibomana is to receive rare facial reconstructive surgery after being left severely disfigured when he was attacked by a group of chimpanzees. He was playing with a group of friends, including his brother and
his cousin, near a nature reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo
when the horrifying incident occurred. Dunia was the only one to survive but suffered appalling injuries.
The eight-year-old was left with muscle damage which made it difficult for him to speak, as well as having one cheek torn apart and his lips completely ripped off. The incident left him isolated and withdrawn after being bullied by others over his appearance.
US surgeons at the Stony Brook Children's hospital in Long Island, New York, have now stepped in and offered rare facial reconstructive surgery to Dunia - for no cost.
Dr Leon Klemper, a senior physician at the hospital said: "As you can imagine, not having any lips, he food can just come right out.
"He drools all the time and can't pronounce different words."
The operation, which will take around eight hours, will use tissue and muscle from his forearms to recreate both lips. It is hoped that the surgery will allow him to open and close his mouth and eat properly again.
The eight-year-old was left with muscle damage which made it difficult for him to speak, as well as having one cheek torn apart and his lips completely ripped off. The incident left him isolated and withdrawn after being bullied by others over his appearance.
US surgeons at the Stony Brook Children's hospital in Long Island, New York, have now stepped in and offered rare facial reconstructive surgery to Dunia - for no cost.
Dr Leon Klemper, a senior physician at the hospital said: "As you can imagine, not having any lips, he food can just come right out.
"He drools all the time and can't pronounce different words."
The operation, which will take around eight hours, will use tissue and muscle from his forearms to recreate both lips. It is hoped that the surgery will allow him to open and close his mouth and eat properly again.
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