Fatuma, aged 17 years



Fatuma fell ill with noma when she was only three years old. She experienced acute pain in her right cheek and high fever, but could only be treated with herbal medicines available locally as her parents could not afford to bring her to hospital.

Before meeting Project Harar’s staff in 2007, Fatuma lived with her family in a village where she was constantly confronted with prejudice because of her appearance. In 2007 visiting surgeons rebuilt her mouth and helped her release her locked jaw so that she could speak and eat freely.
Discrimination in the village was dramatically reduced after that first operation, and Fatuma could go back to school. She decided to return for follow-up surgery in autumn 2008 to improve the function of her new mouth. The surgeons made it easier for her to speak and smile, and also improved her appearance.

Fatuma is very happy with the results of the surgery and she is continuing her studies.
To watch a short film documenting the surgical mission which helped Fatuma in 2007,
please visit our Media page.