Story by Sherine Atieno

Photos by Ondari Ogega

At Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), stories of courage and healing are unfolding during the ongoing Cleft Lip and Palate Medical Camp running from 14th to 17th July 2025. Thanks to the partnership between JOOTRH, Smile Train, and the Kenya Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, patients born with cleft conditions are receiving life-changing surgeries.
Just a day after her cleft lip surgery, 19-year-old Lydia Awuor is back in Ward Seven Annex. Her face bears a quiet strength, the physical transformation already evident. Her cleft lip has been successfully corrected, and though she still experiences post-surgical pain, Lydia’s confidence is growing.
She has been guided on post-operative care, including wound cleaning, gentle muscle massages, and proper medication use for pain management. Eating remains a challenge for now, as any movement strains her stitches. Still, Lydia is determined to recover in time for university, where she will begin her studies in Education Arts, majoring in Kiswahili and Christian Religious Education.
“I feel hopeful,” she says softly. This surgery has restored more than just appearance as it is a new beginning to her.
In the same ward, Faith Akumu from Homa Bay watches over her 3-year-old son, Maxwell Donald, who has also just undergone surgery to correct his cleft palate. Born with both cleft lip and palate, Maxwell’s journey to surgery involved multiple stages of care.
“I was shocked when doctors told me about his condition,” Faith recalls. “But they showed me pictures of children who had been treated, and that gave me hope.”
In 2022, Faith brought Maxwell to JOOTRH when he was just four months old. At that time, he successfully underwent surgery to correct his cleft lip. The results were encouraging—his facial appearance improved significantly, and with it came a sense of relief for his mother.
However, the cleft palate remained, continuing to affect his feeding and speech development. Maxwell struggled to breastfeed as milk often entered his nasal passages, causing frequent choking. Even alternative feeding methods were challenging. His ability to pronounce certain words during early speech development was also limited.
Her attempts to correct the palate started in 2023, but Maxwell did not meet the weight requirements for surgery at the time. In 2024, he developed a fever during the camp period and was ruled out. This year, finally, Maxwell was screened, found eligible, and successfully underwent surgery.
His facial appearance is transformed. “Now the responsibility lies with me,” she says. “I must ensure his post-operative care is done right.”
Faith encourages other parents not to hide their children due to stigma. “This is not a curse. It’s a treatable condition. Early medical help can prevent years of pain both for the child and the parent.”
The medical camp at JOOTRH is also a platform for restoring dignity, correcting misconceptions, and opening doors for families that would otherwise be unable to afford treatment.
Despite the availability of free services, some families still hesitate to attend. Myths, fear of surgery, and stigma remain strong in some communities. Yet mothers like Faith are working to change that narrative by encouraging others to come forward.
Several tremendous success stories have been recorded during the camp with the youngest patient being just 3 months old and the oldest 19. Each case is different, but the goal is the same—restoring health, hope, and inclusion.
Early treatment not only improves physical health but also reduces the emotional and social burden that many families silently carry.