Selam arrived at Gamby hospital to receive treatment for her cleft condition with both of her parents who are farmers in Amhara.

Fekadu, a seven-month-old boy with a cleft lip, came to receive treatment at our recent programme at Gamby General Hospital Bahir Dar. Fekadu is an only child and is therefore the first in his family with a cleft condition.

Besufikad is a six month old who recently received cleft lip surgery at one of our programmes at Gamby General Hospital. Besufikad is the first child in his family to have this condition and arrived at the programme with his mother after travelling hundreds of kilometres.

Beleste came to our programme at Gamby hospital this July with his parents who are both farmers in Amhara. Beleste is seven months old and is the fourth child of his parents but the first in the family with a cleft condition. Gamby hospital is around 280km from Beleste’s home, but stigma towards the family made this journey necessary for the family’s wellbeing.

At Gamby hospital this July, eight-month-old Amarech arrived accompanied by both of her parents. Her parents both work as farmers in Amhara and told us that they had never seen a cleft condition before it appeared on their child. Amarech’s father already had pre-existing health conditions which made the news of their child’s condition even more troubling.

Mahir visited our programme at Selam general hospital in June this year and this was his third visit to one of our programmes. We first met Mahir in August 2024 where he arrived with his mother seeking surgery for his cleft lip. However, he was unable to undergo treatment because he was underweight and malnourished.

Bilal, one year old, arrived at Selam hospital to receive cleft lip treatment. Previously, Bilal visited one of our programmes but could not receive surgery due to malnutrition.

Beruk is fifteen months old and arrived at our Selam programme this June with both for his parents in order to receive treatment for his cleft lip.

Alemnesh arrived at Selam Hospital this June with her mother to receive surgery for her cleft lip. She is 2 years old and is an only child.

Ifnan, three-years-old, is the fourth child of his parents who work as farmers in Oromia. He arrived at our April programme at Yoyya hospital in April this year in search of treatment for his cleft condition.

This May, Kena arrived at Yoyya General Hospital in Adama to receive surgery for his cleft lip. Kena is seven months old and is the first in his family to be born with a cleft condition.

Mona, a three-year-old boy from Oromia, arrived at Yerer General Hospital travelled for two days to visit this programme in Addis Ababa, 350 kilometres from his home. Mona is the sixth child of his parents and was the first to have a cleft condition.

Hebist arrived at Selam hospital with a cleft lip and palate. She was 11 months old at the time of visiting our programme. She previously visited a programme at Selam hospital but was unable to receive treatment due to a cough at the time.  

Aklil, who was born with a cleft lip in Amhara travelled to Selam Hospital with his mother in November 2024 for treatment for his cleft condition. Aklil is 3 years old and is the first child in the family with a cleft condition.

Sitralla was born with a cleft lip and palate in the Amhara Region and is the third child in her family. Sitralla and her parents came to Selam General Hospital to seek treatment for her cleft condition

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 kilometres for her treatment. Sisay is almost three years old and arrived for her cleft lip treatment with her mother.

Obsa, a 7-month-old child, came to Asosa General Hospital to receive cleft lip surgery. He was accompanied by his father his mother, and his sister. The family, who are farmers, live in Asosa Town. Obsa is the fourth child of his parents.