Baye's Story
Baye, who is 2 years and nine months old, came to Tibebe Ghion hospital, Bahir Dar with his mother and father, who are farmers from West Gojjam, to get cleft lip surgery.
Baye’s mother recalls her experience of her son’s birth, explaining “When I first see this child after he was born, I was very shocked. We have no such kind case in our family. Even we don’t see such type of case in our kebele”. The stigma surrounding facial difference means that many children with cleft lip and palates are hidden away in rural Ethiopia. Many parents report to us being unaware of cleft conditions prior to the birth of their child, highlighting just how important our awareness and support programmes are, to ensure that parents are provided with the information and help they need to care for their child’s additional needs.
“I want to thank the organisation that sponsored this blessed activity from my heart. Really I couldn’t believe when I saw my child, because previously I didn’t have the information whether it could be corrected by surgery or not.”
His mother then goes on to tell us about the personal struggles that Baye has experienced with trying to make friends. “My child is always uncomfortable among his peers since he is afraid of their attitude toward him. He even resists smiling. It is always amazing to me, he understands by this very young age the attitude others have to him.”
“I believe that my child is not willing to play with his peers. Facial differences and linguistic difficulties cause them to be mocked by others; hence, he cannot develop good relationships with others. Whenever my child seeks to play with his peers, his playmates escape.” When children receive treatment for their cleft conditions, they are given a second chance to have the same happy and hopeful futures as their peers, attending school, making friends, and being included members of their community.