Gonzalo Erize, who works for the Kalipay Negrense Foundation, rescued Anabelle from the streets of Bacolod, Philippines
A DISFIGURED slave girl was rescued by a stranger after drug dealers beat her until she cried to get money from passersby.
Gonzalo Erize, who works for the Kalipay Negrense Foundation, rescued five-year-old Anabelle from the streets of Bacolod, Philippines, as part of his mission to help exploited children.
Born into poverty, Anabelle’s mum sold her to a drugs gang as she struggled to care for Anabelle and her five other kids.
The little girl was born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare genetic condition which left her with bulging eyes and other facial mutations.
She was constantly tired as her condition disallowed her to close her eyes.
Thugs had exploited her appearance in order to gain extra cash, but it was her deformities that touched Gonzalo’s heart.
The Argentine rescued Anabelle and took her to hospital to receive surgery for her syndrome.
Gonzalo said: “The people in charge of his care told me that she woke up at night, shouting from the nightmares from the past.
“But I was there ready to give Anabelle the opportunity of a better life, where she could play without pain and live worthily.”
The five-year-old is now one of around 200 kids helped by the Filipino charity.
She was treated by a number of paediatricians, dentists and neurologists in Manilla, Philippines, and Gonzalo stood by her throughout the entire process.
The good Samaritan added: “I stood by her during the whole process. It was a complicated process, a very delicate situation, in which the passing of time was a constant threat.
“But again all the effort was worth it. Anabelle came out successfully from cranial surgery, resulting in the brain being able to grow.
“It was completely cured and today she knows the meaning of enjoying, of having fun, of living.”