Project Harar

About Project Harar

Project Harar works in some of the most underserved and rural areas of Ethiopia to enable access to life-saving treatment for babies and children affected with cleft lip and palate conditions.

Cleft lip and palate is a complex developmental issue where the upper lip or palate does not properly form. One child in every 700 worldwide is born with a cleft lip and palate. In the UK, babies born with this condition receive timely surgical interventions shortly after birth. However, in Ethiopia, the situation is drastically different.

Every year, more than 5,500 babies are born with cleft conditions in Ethiopia, many of whom are not identified and live in remote, rural communities with limited access to treatment. Many families are unaware of available treatment options, and those who are aware face significant barriers such as distance and cost, making it incredibly challenging to access the care their child needs. Without access to hospitals offering corrective surgery, children in rural Ethiopia cannot receive the life-saving treatment they need. This leads to severe feeding difficulties, increasing the risk of malnutrition

The Project Harar team focuses on extensive community outreach through their experienced networks to identify children living with cleft conditions across remote communities and ensure they access the treatment they need. They address the many barriers families face in reaching a specialist cleft hospital by providing free transport, accommodation, food, medication and comprehensive follow-up. Hospitals, where surgery is provided by (Ethiopian) cleft surgeons, have an average travel distance of 400 km. Post-operatively, they provide a consultation with families about after-care, and if required, referrals for speech therapy and dental services.

For further information, visit: https://www.projectharar.org/

What are DSP doing to help?

DSP has been raising funds for Project Harar since 2020. So far, we've raised over £10,000 - enough to fund a cleft mission for 40 children.

Our CEO, Simon Goodenough became Patron of Project Harar in 2023. He aims to raise the charity's profile, boost fundraising efforts, and explore the potential of utilising data science to achieve even more impactful outcomes. With Simon's expertise and commitment, DSP hopes to make a significant difference in furthering the Project Harar cause and transforming lives in Ethiopia.

In November 2025, a team representing Project Harar will participate in the Great Ethiopian 10K Run, raising crucial funds to provide access to cleft lip and palate treatment for children across Ethiopia. If you would like to join them please contact danielle@projectharar.org or sign up directly with Advocate Events: Register to run the Great Ethiopian Run 2025!

Head to our JustGiving page to see how our campaign is going so far, or scroll down to find out what kind of fundraising ventures we will be embarking on. There will be plenty of chances to get involved in our future fundraising events.

Team Challenge: Travel Across Britain - DSP volunteers cycled, ran, or walked the combined distance from Land's End to John O'Groats - that's 1,557km (980 miles) travelled in 31 days!
Family Quiz Night - Like everyone, when COVID-19 lockdowns kicked in in 2020, we turned to a Zoom Quiz!
Art Challenge - Draw Your Best Smile - We got the kids involved with our Poster competition!
DSP Fantasy Football League - We ran a Fantasy Premier League with an entry fee going straight to Project Harar!
The Great Ethiopian Run - Our CEO, Simon Goodenough, took on the 2024 Sofi Malt International 10K in Addis Ababa!