Goodwill campaign brings back smile to 7-year-old’s face

AMMAN — There will be no more shy semi-smiles from seven-year-old Nabaa Zaitoun, now that she has finally had her face reconstructed after five years of suffering from facial paralysis caused by a dog attack.

Nabaa, who was attacked by a stray dog when she was two years old — deforming her nose and lips — has undergone three facial reconstructive surgeries, all covered by the National Goodwill Campaign.

The second grader from Ajloun will undergo two or three more reconstructive surgeries to have her face fully restored, according to a statement from the campaign.

Attending a free medical day on Saturday in Jerash Governorate’s Sakeb District — some 48km north of Amman — HRH Princess Basma, president of the goodwill campaign’s higher committee, expressed happiness over the success of Nabaa’s surgeries. 

The child’s case is among the success stories and major achievements of the campaign, the princess said, commending the campaign’s donors and supporters, who help sustain its programmes that cover a variety of humanitarian aspects.

During the medical day, Nabaa’s father, Salim Zaitoun, expressed happiness to see his daughter smiling normally and relief to have the cost of the surgeries, which he was unable to afford, covered by the campaign, according to the statement.

The princess also participated in a discussion on the campaign’s future activities attended by deputy president of its higher committee, Abdul Salam Abbadi, Deputy Haitham Abu Khadijah, a number of the campaign’s members, representatives of the insurance sector, doctors and donors.