We first met Gudina and his family on February of 2021, where he was finally able to access surgery for his cleft palate. Gudina was three years old. Following his surgery, delayed as a response to the impact of Covid-19, we interviewed him and his father over the phone to catch up with Gudina. Read more
When Bisrat was born with a cleft lip her parents took her to the nearest hospital, but they were told that their baby could not be treated. Now at the age of three Bisarat has received treatment for her cleft lip, now she will be able to play with other children without fear of bullying. Read more
Two year old Endale's mother and father travelled over an hour on foot to reach their first method of transport, It took them a further 10 hours to reach the hospital for Endale's cleft treatment. Read more
Meet Yeneneshe, age four and her mother Sifaan, Yeneneshe was able to access her first surgery for her cleft lip in April 2022. Read more
Wendemeh and his brother Gatkuoth travel to the Debre Markos specialised hospital in Amhara to receive treatment for the first time at 15 years old. He and Gatkuoth recount their experiences pre-surgery, and how important it is to destigmatise cleft lip and palate and continue to spread awareness and educate people and schools. Read more
Brother and sister, Tigist and Adane, were born with cleft lip and palate. We met the family in March 2022, when Ten year old Tigist was having her surgery for her cleft palate and her three year old brother Adane was having his first surgery for his cleft lip in the Amhara region. Read more
The story of one of the many displaced families living in a refugee camp in Ethiopia. In March 2022 Nyalam was finally able to reach treatment for both her son and daughter, who were born with cleft conditions. Read more
"The journey was difficult we had to walk for almost six hours to get transport from our village, we walked there to the near town to get a bus. This is the reality for families living in our area. But it was a journey of renewed hope it’s exciting for my daughter even though it was a long way." Read more
Seven year old Ibsaa came with his grandfather from a rural area of Oromia, it took them almost a full days journey to reach Ambo city for Ibsaa's cleft treatment. Ibsaa lost his parents when he was small, his grandfather raised him. Read more
"Abdii has a twin sister and three older siblings, but he is the only one who was born with a cleft lip... We are so happy that he was able to get treatment, we were so worried at first that we planned to sell everything that we had — even though we didn't have much — to afford private treatment." Read more
Now that Gammachu is treated I am so happy, I cannot stop smiling. My son is one of the lucky children to have received treatment at such a young age. When he grows, he will go to school and he can achieve his dreams — feeling comfortable in how he looks. Read more
"I always felt sad and I really tried my best to get him help but I didn't know where to go. He has not been able to attend school — no one can understand his speech apart from me. When I heard that treatment was available and for free, I was happy beyond words. I am hopeful that now he will be able to attend school and make friends." Read more