Project Harar Ethiopia

Rebuilding faces, changing lives

Project Harar Ethiopia is a UK-based charity that secures life-changing surgery for children living with facial disfigurements in the poorest and most remote parts of Ethiopia.

Project Harar was founded by British businessman Jonathan Crown after his encounter with Fhami and Jemal, two young boys who were begging in Harar's market.They became Project Harar's first patients. Since then, almost 1000 people affected by severe facial disfigurements have been able to access surgical and rehabilitative care thanks to Project Harar's efforts.

Project Harar Ethiopia

Addis Ababa

A centralised health system

In Ethiopia, a country of 85 million people where 85% of the population lives in remote rural areas, there are only eight plastic surgeons and 40 dentists - and, virtually, all are based in the capital city, Addis Ababa.

As well as meeting the costs of a place at hospital and prescription medicines, Project Harar organises travel to Addis Ababa for young patients and their guardians and arranges follow-up care.

Project Harar Ethiopia

Project Harar surgical mission at CURE Children's Hospital

Partners in delivering high standards of medical care

In August-September 2009 Project Harar organised a mission of UK and Dutch doctors and nurses to travel to Ethiopia and work at CURE Ethiopia Children's Hospital, our new partner in Addis Ababa. They performed very complex surgery on 18 severely affected Project Harar patients and they provided in-theatre training to CURE's medical and nursing staff.

The presentation above brings to life Project Harar's work and the experience of our young patients showing their incredible courage and resourcefulness.

Project Harar Ethiopia

Asbe Teferi

Reaching remote communities

Project Harar Ethiopia's staff travels to remote rural areas, liasing with health officials, community leaders and family members to let them know about the help available for children with facial disfigurements.

Project Harar focuses on the most isolated and poorest people as they face the greatest barriers to accessing medical care. Our aim is to allow our patients to live fulfilling and dignified lives as full members of their home communities.

Project Harar Ethiopia

BBC Inside Out: Facial surgery in Ethiopia

This episode of BBC Inside Out follows a team of surgeons who volunteered to treat patients suffering from the devastating consequences of noma at the semi-autonomous public hospital Yekatit-12.