Local nurse in mercy mission to Ethiopia

Anne McNicholas with a child during a visit to Ethiopia

Local nurse, Anne McNicholas, travelled to Addis Ababa as part of a volunteer mission medical team, funded by the charity Project Harar, to carry out life changing surgery currently not available in Ethiopia.

As well as hands-on surgical help, Anne and the rest of the medical team travelling to the region provided training workshops for local medics and students in order to enhance their skills and their ability to carry out more complex facial operations in the future.

Anne raised money for her travel expenses by holding a series of fundraising initiatives with family, friends and colleagues.

The team, led by Professor Mark McGurk, prominent Maxillofacial Surgeon and Trustee of Project Harar, provided crucial treatment as well as pre and post-operative care for around 50 patients from impoverished rural areas, with complex facial disabilities.

In addition to the facial reconstructive surgery the charity specialises in; all of which took place at the public teaching hospital Yekatit-12 in collaboration with local medical staff, this year the charity funded two neurological procedures after patients presented with further complications, expanding Project Harar’s remit.

Professor Mark McGurk, Maxillofacial Surgeon & Trustee of Project Harar, says: “The team at Project Harar has been fundraising for a number of months now, to make this mission possible.

"We were all looking forward to getting back to Ethiopia to help those children and adults with the most severe facial disfigurement.

"Surgery not only changes someone’s physical appearance but it provides them with a whole new lease of life in terms of their acceptance into the local community, their marriage prospects as well as their ability to pursue education and ultimately find a job.”

Anyone who would like to show their support for Anne and the Project Harar Surgical Mission can donate safely through the charity’s JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/projectharar/donate  

For more information on the charity and its work please visit: www.projectharar.org