Garissa: Parents and guardians with children born with cleft lip and palate have been urged to take advantage of the 4-day surgical camp at the Garissa Level 5 Hospital for corrective surgeries. The free surgical camp is sponsored by Love Without a Reason, a non-governmental organization dedicated to conducting surgeries for children born with cleft lip and palate.
According to Kenya News Agency, Santhosh Mathews, the founder of Love Without a Reason, warned against the discrimination and stigma faced by children with cleft lip. He emphasized that while the condition may arise from various causes, it is never due to curses or myths. Mathews stated that the organization aims to perform between 15 and 20 surgeries daily during the 4-day camp at no cost to the patients, urging parents to bring their children for treatment.
“Around the world, it is estimated that 1 in 700 children are born with cleft lip and palate,” Mathews said. “This means that these babies will need surgeries. Our motto is that we will work until the world is cleft-free. This is a continuous process, and we will continue working.”
Mathews further highlighted the importance of treating children with cleft lip as equals, stating that they are not cursed and should not be isolated. Instead, they deserve education, jobs, and families. He also raised concerns about the risk of human trafficking faced by these children in some countries, calling for collaborative efforts to ensure a cleft-free world.
“Children born with cleft lips are also a target of human trafficking,” he said. “Some are trafficked for sex, others for street begging, forced labor, or even organ trafficking.”
Doreen Kajuju, a mother who traveled from Meru to Garissa for her 3-year-old son’s surgery, shared her struggles. She expressed gratitude towards the organization for providing the surgery, which she believes will allow her son to live a normal life, play with other children, and attend school.
“I have gone through many expenses because since my child was born, he has never breastfed, and I have been buying milk for him,” Kajuju said. “The father of the child left me to struggle alone, but I thank God for this organization. Once my boy gets this surgery, he will be okay and will be able to eat normally and play with other children.”
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects occurring when a baby’s lip or mouth does not form properly during pregnancy. These conditions can vary in severity but are generally treatable with surgery and other interventions. Cleft lip involves an opening or gap in the upper lip, which can also affect the gums and teeth, while cleft palate involves an opening in the roof of the mouth, potentially affecting the nasal cavity.
