Congolese Chimpanzee Attack Survivor: To Undergo Surgery In NY

Lucky Dunia Sibomana survived a horrifying attack by a group of chimpanzees that attacked him and 2 other boys while playing near a reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dunia, survived unfortunately his two friends didnt. The attack left Dunia with a severe disfigure, lips ripped off and one cheek torn apart, leaving him with muscle damage making it difficult for him to eat, swallow and communicate.

The eight-year-old is set to undergo a facial surgery in NY were tissues and muscles from his forearm will be used to recreate both lips. Hopefully, the surgery becomes successful.

Dr. Leon Klempner, an associate professor of dentistry at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, where Dunia will undergo the operation, said: 'As you can imagine, not having any lips, the food can just come right out.

'He drools all the time and can't pronounce different words.' 

Dunia had also stopped going to school because the other children in his native Congo ridiculed him. 

The eight-hour procedure will be the first of three major operations for Dunia, who was brought from the Congo in November with the help of the non-profit foundation Smile Rescue for Kids.

Dr. Alexander Dagum, the hospital's chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery, said he believes there are only three other documented cases where the same surgery has been performed. The hospital is covering the cost of the surgery and the doctors have all donated their time.

Since the attack two years ago, which killed Dunia's four-year-old brother and a young cousin, Dunia has been the target of bullies and become shy and withdrawn.

Checkout Pics: