Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 23 2009:
After being confined within the four walls of her house enduring the pain of an abnormal swelling inside her nostril for many years, the hope of living a normal life like any of her friends do, is shining over 9-year-old Sp Wungthingla of Wanglee village under Kamjong Sub-Division in Ukhrul district with various supports pouring in from different quarters towards rescuing her from her unenviable existence.
Her father, Sp Ayo who is currently staying at Ludhiana in Punjab for the medical treatment of his daughter while speaking to The Sangai Express in a jittering tone conveyed his heartiest gratitude to all individuals and organisations who have lent support in terms of money and other valuable services to give a fresh lease of life to his daughter.
Observing the expression of love and care received from many people cutting across community line, Ayo said, "Our poor family do not deserve all these unbelievable gifts," adding "it is the wonderful work of God".
While Wungthingla still has to undergo different courses of treatment till the final surgery that is yet to come, the 50 year old father expressed his hope that his daughter would be fine by God's grace after the operations.
Narrating the story of how Wungthingla along with his father reached Ludhiana in Punjab, a France-based social activist, Michel who is the husband of Ateo from Ukhrul district, Manipur said, "We didn't know Wungthingla personally nor did we hear of her case till the moment we came across her story (taken from The Sangai Express) webcasted on Tangkhul.com".
Michel revealed that he was really touched by the condition of the innocent girl and moved by her face with such an abnormal swelling.
This, he said prompted him to print out the girl's photo and show it to his wife to see if anything could be done to help the girl.
In the middle of the conversation at their home in France, they were interrupted by their little girl named Rebecca (Ramdawon) who vowed to give all her savings of seven years to Wungthingla and did the same with a great smile and complete joy, according to Michel.
The anxious social activist then eventually came into contact with Wungthingla through Pamchui, a member of Tangkhul.com based in Imphal.
"What we learned about the medical treatment that Wungthingla had undergone at that time is that she was suffering from encephalocele, a congenital malformation, and that she has been operated 2 years back, and that they were heading to the surgeon for test and so on," Michel told The Sangai Express.
"After several consultations with surgeons in France and in India as well, we decided that the tests and surgical operation be done in Punjab in at the CMC Ludhiana where we have in the past sent people for various treatment including a complex operation of tretralogy of Fallot on a 23 year old orphan boy from Manipur, which too was conducted successfully," Michel informed.
On the schedule of operation, Michel informed that Wungthingla will be operated in April by a team of 6 surgeons�Neurosurgeon, Bonesurgeon and Plasticsurgeon.
The story of Wungthingla first appeared in The Sangai Express on February 2, 2009. To mention the official contributions made so far towards saving the innocent girl from her predicament, MLA Bijoy Koijam has donated a sum of Rs 10,000 while Principal Secretary (MOBC and PHED) PC Lawmkunga has donated RS 30,000. Wungthingla and her father are presently residing in Ludhiana under the care of Michel's sister-in-law awaiting the surgical operations.