Help 40 Ethiopian Children with Cleft Conditions

Sisay was one of the children who arrived at Selam General Hospital in November for cleft treatment. Sisay is from the Amhara region and travelled approximately 150 kilometers for her treatment. 

Sisay is almost three years old and arrived for her cleft lip treatment with her mother. Her family are farmers and there have been no previous cases of cleft in her family. Her mother spoke of her fears of bringing her daughter out in her community and mentioned a feeling of sadness when she saw her daughters’ condition. 

Sisay’s mother shared her experience with us: “When I gave birth to Sisay, my family separated themselves from us because of her condition. The condition saddens me because people are so rude about my daughter for no reason other than her condition.” 

Sisay’s mother speaks further about the community’s reactions to the condition “There are so many misconceptions about my daughter’s condition and people believe that it is a punishment from God for wrongdoing by my family. When I leave my house to go to the market or church, people always stop me to ask about Sisay’s condition. They ask what sins I have committed and why it has appeared on her. Due to these misconceptions, I fear going to public places and church, so I hide my daughter at home. Because of a lack of money, I have not sought treatment for Sisay’s condition, and I had not heard about Project Harar until recently. Our local health centre shared the knowledge with me and that is when we made the journey to Selam General Hospital in Dessie.”

Sisay’s mother told us that when she came to Selam General Hospital she saw many children who had arrived with the same condition as her daughter and learnt that we were hosting a coffee ceremony for mothers of children with cleft conditions such as herself. Sisay’s mother shared her experiences at the coffee ceremony and spoke of Project Harar freeing her from the condition her daughter had been born with.“I thank Project Harar for providing us with this life-changing treatment and I hope now that my daughter will go to school, church and play with her friends without fear of judgement.” 

Links:

• Project Harar website - Sisay's story

Yerosan's Story

Yerosan, who is eight months old, came to our programme at Asella hospital with her mother Beket and father Robsan from East Wellega.

Her mother tells us about his birth and the difficulties she faced with breast feeding “when she was born, they told me he had this disease, it was hard, I started crying, and i didnt understand why. I was so excited to have a daughter, but she had trouble sucking, so I had to feed her with other milk.” Babies born with cleft lips often encounter challenges when it comes to breastfeeding due to their inability to create a proper seal for suction. This struggle can result in malnourishment, posing significant health risks for the child while causing immense distress for the parents. To address this critical issue, Project Harar takes proactive measures by conducting breastfeeding awareness courses and providing essential nutritional support to families affected by cleft conditions. These initiatives aim to alleviate the difficulties faced by parents and ensure that infants receive adequate nourishment until surgical treatment becomes a viable option.

Beket, Yerosan’s mother, goes on to tell us about how she hopes that she can use her
experience to help others in the future. “This treatment given to my child is good. By
seeing our experience, the others with this condition who have not been treated and are currently hidden in the village, will also get this treatment. In the future, I will serve as
Project Harar to transmit information about this service in Kebele as well as Woreda in which I live.” Spreading awareness about cleft conditions can alleviate the stress and fear experienced by individuals facing such circumstances. By sharing information, experiences, and resources, those who are scared and uncertain can find solace and reassurance in knowing that they are not alone. 

Beket highlights the unfortunate reality that children, like Yerosan, who have facial differences, often face ostracization and exclusion from society, which takes a toll on their mental health. She emphasises that receiving surgical treatment is not only vital for improving their physical health but also has a profound positive impact on their social well-being. It enables them to attend school, interact with their peers, and form meaningful friendships. However, Project Harar recognizes that the responsibility extends beyond providing treatment alone. We understand the importance of raising awareness and reducing stigma surrounding facial differences. By promoting acceptance, understanding, and celebration of all children, regardless of their appearance, aiming to create a society where every individual feels valued and embraced.