BEDESA’S STORY
Four-year-old Bedesa and his father Abera, a farmer from East Arsi, travelled to our recent program at Ethio Tebib Hospital in Addis Ababa. Bedesa was seeking surgery for his cleft palate, having previously undergone cleft lip surgery in a previous program we conducted.
Bedesa’s father explained to us “when I first saw my child after he was born, I was very shocked. We have no such kind case in our family. But appeared only on my child.’’
Many children with cleft lips and palates are hidden away in rural areas due to the stigma surrounding facial differences. Many parents report to us being unaware of cleft conditions prior to the birth of their child, underscoring the crucial significance of our awareness and support programs. These initiatives play a vital role in equipping parents with the necessary information and support to effectively care for their child’s additional needs. Increasing awareness about the condition also fosters a sense of support for parents/guardians, reducing feelings of isolation and helplessness that often accompany the journey of raising a child with a cleft condition.
Bedesa’s father tells us about hiss experience with trying to make friends. “My child is always uncomfortable among his peers since he is afraid of their attitude toward him. He even resists smiling. It is always amazing to me; he understands by this very young age the attitude other have to him.’’ “I believe that my child is not willing to play with his peers. Facial differences cause him to be mocked by others; hence he cannot develop good relationships with others. Whenever my child seeks to play with his peers. His playmates escape.’’ When children receive treatment for their cleft conditions, they are given a second chance to have the same happy and hopeful futures as their peers, attending school, making friends and being included members of the community.
“I am so grateful to Project Harar and want to thank them for all the work they do. I couldn’t believe it when we received treatment for a second time, and I want to use our experience to help others.”