Wakjira’s Cleft Journey
Wakjira’s mother initially came to Project Harar to seek treatment for her son in 2024, arriving at Ambo Referral Hospital in May 2024, alongside his sister and twin brother.
Wakjira is from a family of 9, including his father’s children from another marriage. They work as farmers in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia, where they farm the land for fresh produce; Wakjira’s family borrow Oxen from their neighbour to plough the land in exchange for half of their crops. Even through keeping the remaining half, his parents struggle to provide enough food for the family.
Wakjira pictured to the right in May 2024.
When Wakjira was born his mother was concerned, she had no knowledge of cleft conditions and did not have enough money to take her son to hospital. By chance, she heard about Project Harar through the Oromia Broadcasting Network and after learning about our work, she brought her son to the Ambo Referral Hospital.
Wakjira pictured with his twin brother and mother (Left), and older sister (Right)
When she and her children arrived at our programme, Wakjira received the necessary surgery and his mother told us that having a child with a cleft condition had impacted her socially. She felt isolated and estranged from her community, telling us that it was extremely emotionally challenging for her.
Wakjira received surgery for his cleft lip the same day, with his mother being told to should return for cleft palate surgery when he was older and stronger.
In November 2024, the Project Harar outreach team visited Wakjira and his family at their local health post, bringing the children new clothes to grow into.
He had grown a lot since we first met him in May, and was looking a lot stronger despite still needing surgery for his cleft palate . His family were provided with nutrition to support his continued growth and, as a result of this, Wakjira grew strong enough to receive the necessary surgery on his cleft palate a couple of months later.
In January 2025 he and his mother returned to Ambo Referral hospital for his final surgery.
Since, then Wakjira has grown a lot stronger and is living a life free from stigma. His mother travelled to Ethio Tebib hospital in November 2025 to thank Project Harar and to show us how much he had grown. See below, pictures of Wakjira nearly a year and a half after his initial surgery.
