Sierra Leone War Victim Reunited With Mom

Damba Koroma came to the United States from Sierra Leone in search of proper medical care for her arm, which was disabled after rebels chopped off her hand when she was only 5.

Damba was one of thousands of victims of Sierra Leone's brutal civil war, which left her scarred both inside and out. The pain from the attack was sharp, but the pain from missing her mother, Fina, was more enduing.

Six years ago, Fina heard that Damba could get treatment in the United States and decided to let her go. Since then, Damba has been living with a family in Virginia and has settled into a new life. But she misses her mother.

"I miss her a lot," she told The Early Show national correspondent Tracy Smith. "I miss her so much … I can't really wait to see her again."

When producers from "The Oprah Winfrey Show" saw Damba's story on The Early Show in June, they decided to reunite her with her mother.

"I had no idea," Damba said. "At first, when (Oprah) said she was going to make my dream come true to see my mother, I thought she meant, like, she was going to take me to Africa or something. I just burst out in tears. I started crying. No words to describe the happiness I felt."

When Fina came on to the stage, she revealed another surprise: Damba's 5-month-old brother, Ferenke.

Fina feels at peace with her difficult decision, knowing that her daughter has learned English, made the honor roll in school and made new friends.

"She's really happy that I'm with the family I'm with now, and the education I'm getting," Damba said.

They both know time is precious. Damba's mother heads back to Africa in December, and it could be years before they see each other again.

"It's going to be real tough," Damba said. "I'll be OK because at least now I know how she's doing."