Major surgical campaign concludes with magic show

Patients and team unite after two long hard weeks

Medical team daily de-brief

Intense morning ward rounds before surgery

Dr. Dominique and his assistant, nurse Catherine play a trick on Prof. Mark

Project Harar's landmark surgical mission provided medical care to over 40 patients, including 30 major complex facial reconstructive surgeries.

In addition to the core surgical campaign at Yekatit-12, a public hospital in Addis Ababa, many patients were seen at other Ethiopian hospitals, such as Project Harar's new partner the Korean Hopsital (MCM) and Minelik II eye hospital.

As the patients recuperate post-operatively in the happy environment of the Cheshire home, located in the hills 30 minutes east of Addis Ababa, our team can reflect on this intense test of teamwork and resourcfulness. Not only was their professionalism tested by the number and severity of their caseload, but the scarcity of kit, owing in part to difficulties at customs.

The bravery and hard work - of both patients and volunteers - was amply rewarded with a spectacular magic show on the last day of surgery. Our very own surgeon extraordinaire, Prof Dominique Martin (left), ably assisted by nurse Catherine Collins, conjured tricks and illusions that delighted everyone at Cheshire.

You can read Catherine's report from the field here , and see more of Dominique's magic show and other fun here .

We sincerely thank all of those involved in the mission and all those who contributed to it in kind, without which the mission's success would not have been possible.