Mona’s Story
Mona, a three-year-old boy from Oromia, arrived at Yerer General Hospital and had 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.
“When I gave birth to a child with a cleft lip, I was so sad. My husband was so sad and resented the baby. Many people have misconceptions about cleft conditions. In our community it is typical for people to blame me and they tell me that his condition is a punishment from God for mine or my family’s actions. People always ask me about Mona’s condition and I hate it. I want to hide him away and I have even stopped going to Masjid with him and my neighbours and friends will refuse to pick him up or touch him.”
- Mona’s Mother
Mona’s mother also spoke to us about the feeding issues that she has experienced while raising him.
‘My child always has difficulty eating food because he cannot chew properly. Therefore he cannot eat what he wants. Most of the time I give him soft foods and liquids.’
“Project Harar has solved this problem for me and my child will now
be able to eat comfortably and eat all the foods that he wants. I r
eally don’t have the words to describe my happiness. Thank you
Project Harar and I hope in the future PH can continue to treat all the
other children that will otherwise be hidden away by their parents”
-Mona’s Mother