Amlaku's Story
Amlaku came to our recent Bahir Dar programme with his mother and father, where he received surgery for his cleft palate. Amlaku previously received treatment with Project Harar to correct his cleft lip, now eight years old, his parents were called and asked to return for a follow up appointment to get the second surgery for his palate. His mother expressed to us that she had previously been unaware that they would be able to receive another treatment for free and felt great relief when she got the call, as the income they receive as farmers meant they would not have been able to afford the surgery. Our outreach programmes and follow up appointments are so important to ensure that all children can access the comprehensive cleft care.
Amlaku’s mother told us the difficulties that he had been experiencing with his peers at school, that had ultimately resulted in him refusing to attend anymore. “Amlaku ran away from school and went home because his peers were teasing him for having a cleft lip and cleft palate”. Amlaku’s mother said “his interest in learning declined because he was teased and laughed at by his classmates. He refused to go to school, and he said he would rather stay at home than go to school”.
Amlaku himself went on to tell us of the torment he had experienced, “they run with me during breaks and laugh at me. I am very angry at this time, and I would take a stone or a stick and hit it. I chose to leave school and stay at home because I was fighting with many of my friends because they refused to stay with me”. Amlaku then told us, “I can’t stand anger and the kids go with me and make me angry”. This, he said, “prevented me from learning”. This is not only detrimental to his development, as it stops him from receiving an education and the same opportunities as his peers, it is also deeply upsetting and damaging for his mental health and sense of self.
"I didn’t think there was anyorganisation that served someone once and would serve you again for free. But Project Harar treated us before and again when he called and healed my child for me. I was overjoyed with the treatment and without any payment.”
His mother and Amlaku’s brother say they were deeply affected, they worried for his wellbeing and the disadvantages he would
experience as a result of not attending school. However, the bullying had gotten so bad that they ultimately decided to no longer force him to attend a place that made him so unhappy. His mother told us that now he has received both surgeries they are excited for him to return to school next year and learn without fear of being made fun of.
Amlaku’s family told us about the response of the community after he was born, explaining that people would talk behind their back saying his cleft condition was a result of ‘sins’ that they had committed. These misconceptions are incredibly hurtful and damaging for families of children with facial differences, adding additional social stigma to an already challenging situation acts as a further barrier to children getting the treatment they need. By running awareness programmes along with providing treatment, Project Harar is trying to reduce the stigma and ostracisation that families experience due to cleft conditions.