BABY GIRL’S GROWING NECK TUMOR THREATENED HER BREATHING — THEN ONE UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER CHANGED HER FUTURE

At just 10 months old, Memunatu was facing a medical challenge no baby should have to endure. A large growth on her neck had continued to expand since she was five months old, threatening to affect her ability to breathe, swallow and eat. Her mother, Aminata, searched desperately for help, but repeated visits to local doctors brought little hope. Then an unexpected encounter with a volunteer opened the door to an operation that would change the little girl’s future.

A Growing Mass That Changed Everything

Memunatu’s story began when she was around five months old. Her mother, Aminata, noticed a small swelling developing around her daughter’s neck. At first, the family sought medical attention because they thought the symptoms might be related to an ordinary illness.

However, the swelling did not disappear. Instead, it continued to grow, becoming an increasingly serious concern for the family.

Aminata took her daughter to several doctors in search of an explanation and treatment. But she was repeatedly told that Memunatu was too young for the operation she needed. With each passing month, the growth became more difficult to ignore, and her mother’s fear for her daughter’s future increased.

The mass was located near Memunatu’s throat, making its continued growth particularly concerning. Medical specialists later explained that without surgery, the condition could worsen and interfere with essential functions such as breathing, swallowing and eating.

A Mother Refused to Give Up

For Aminata, watching her baby’s condition progress without a clear treatment option was heartbreaking. She continued searching for someone who could help, even when earlier attempts had not led to a solution.

At the time, the hospital ship Global Mercy, operated by the international medical charity Mercy Ships, was docked in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Its medical teams provided surgical care for patients who otherwise faced significant barriers to accessing specialist treatment.

Memunatu had not been registered through the ship’s usual patient selection process. Ordinarily, patients were assessed and scheduled well ahead of the surgical program, making it difficult for someone to receive treatment at short notice.

Yet an unexpected meeting would change the course of the family’s search.

The Unexpected Encounter That Brought Hope

Anne-Marie van Tonder, a volunteer with Mercy Ships, encountered Memunatu and her mother at a local hospital in Freetown. She was deeply concerned by the baby’s condition and felt compelled to find a way to help.

Anne-Marie began asking whether Memunatu could be referred to the Global Mercy for assessment and treatment. The case was urgent, and the medical team needed to determine whether surgery could safely be performed.

After reviewing the situation, the team agreed to help. Memunatu was referred to the ship, where specialists prepared her for the operation despite the already busy surgical schedule.

For Aminata, the opportunity brought a new sense of hope after months of uncertainty. She would finally have access to a team prepared to address the growth that had placed such a heavy burden on her young daughter.

A Delicate Operation Lasting Several Hours

Memunatu’s operation required patience, precision and careful planning. According to Mercy Ships, the procedure took approximately five to six hours under anesthesia.

Dr. Leo Cheng, a volunteer surgeon specializing in head and neck surgery, led the team responsible for removing the mass. The surgeons worked meticulously to control bleeding and protect important nerves and blood vessels in the surrounding area.

Operating on such a young baby presented significant challenges. Infants have a small circulating blood volume, and even limited blood loss can become dangerous. The team therefore had to proceed carefully while removing the growth.

After the operation, Memunatu was taken to intensive care for monitoring. She had tubes attached to her body as part of her postoperative care, a sight that was understandably frightening for her mother.

But the operation had achieved its main goal: the mass had been removed. For Aminata, seeing her daughter safely through surgery brought enormous relief after months of worry.

Her Smile Returned as She Recovered

During her recovery aboard the Global Mercy, Memunatu gradually began showing more of her cheerful personality. The medical team continued monitoring her while she regained her strength.

Krystal Franke, a volunteer who had supported Aminata before the operation, recalled noticing a visible change in the mother’s expression after surgery. The fear that had weighed heavily on Aminata began to give way to relief as she learned that her daughter was safe and recovering.

Memunatu also spent time around members of the ship’s community during her recovery. According to Mercy Ships, her joyful personality became increasingly apparent as she grew stronger and made new friends.

Once she had recovered sufficiently, Memunatu was able to return home to her village in Sierra Leone with her mother. The family could finally look toward the future without the same immediate threat posed by the growing mass.

Memunatu’s journey demonstrates how access to specialist surgery can make a profound difference for children whose families struggle to obtain treatment. Her story also highlights the role of medical teams and volunteers who work to connect vulnerable patients with care.

For Aminata, the greatest relief was seeing her daughter recover and return home. After months of searching for help, Memunatu had received the operation she needed and a new opportunity to grow, play and experience childhood.

Source: Mercy Ships, “Meet Memunatu,” December 31, 2025; “Memunatu’s Miracle Journey With Mercy Ships,” April 26, 2026.