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.

Johalan, a one-year-old child, travelled from the Gamo Zone to Arbaminch General Hospital for cleft lip surgery, arriving with his parents, who are both merchants.

Abdulher is a nineteen month old child who came to Asossa General Hospital to get cleft lip surgery after hearing about one of our programmes. He arrived at the hospital with his mother and his father who are both farmers.

Wakjira is a 15 month old baby born with a cleft lip in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Wakjira’s mother brought him to Ambo Referal Hospital after learning about our treatment programme from the Oromia Broadcasting Network on social media.

Seven-month-old Kenaket, arrived at Ambo Referral Hospital with her parents seeking cleft lip treatment. Kenaket’s mother shared her experience, describing the initial shock and upset that she felt when Kenaket was born with a cleft condition.

Despite having no family history of cleft lip and palate, Bonsa was born with this challenge. Bonsa’s family have experienced both the social and health barriers that come with having an untreated cleft condition.

Nine-month-old Asli, born with a cleft, arrived at Yoyya Hospital in Adama with her parents. She is the daughter of Umar and Hamziya Adem, residing in the Oromia Region, East Arsi, Bokoji woreda, where her family works as farmers. Umar mentioned that such cleft cases had not occurred in their family before Asli.