Young woman branded a witch due to jaw tumour says she feels reborn after operation by Scots charity doctor

A YOUNG woman branded a witch because of a jaw deformity has spoken of her joy after a life-changing operation.

Keith Thomson, a retired anaesthetist, from Dundee, helped organise the surgery on jaw tumours endured by Sarah Lemba, 23, and Hugues Lilonga, 28.

The pair, who both live in the Democratic Republic of Congo, had to travel to neighbouring Uganda for treatment as no surgeons were skilled to help them in their own country.

The Sunday Post highlighted a fundraising appeal for the mission and now, three months on, they have revealed how the surgery has transformed their lives.

Sarah, who was left begging on the streets because of her jaw tumour, said she was delighted at having been given another chance in life.

She said: “I do not feel pain anymore – I even manage to eat normally.

“After being rejected for so many years, I feel like I belong to the human race again.

“I discovered the joy of living again and above all my dignity.”

Sarah was bullied at school because of the jaw deformity and had to leave home because her step-mother believed she was a witch and did not want her near other children.

But now she is looking forward to the future – with her plans including training to be a nurse.

She said: “My wish was always to go back to school since I missed so many years without education. I would like to enrol in a nursing school to start with.

“I would like to achieve so much in life and help those who need the help I was lucky enough to receive.”

Hugues was diagnosed with the same kind of benign tumour – called an ameloblastoma – in 2016 after waking up one morning with a swollen cheek.

He was shunned at work by colleagues who thought his condition was contagious. But now he says he has “big dreams” for his future.

He said: “Since the operation I have become Hugues Lilonga again – full of confidence and ready to influence the world.”

Dr Thomson, who is a trustee with the hospital ship charity Mercy Ships, said it had been a challenging project which went “remarkably well” thanks to the medical team involved.