NGO raises alarm over trafficking of children with facial deformities

Children with facial deformities such as cleft lip and palate are increasingly being trafficked for their organs, an NGO has warned.

Love Without Reason, a non-governmental organisation, says children born with craniofacial deformities have been targeted by traffickers.

The targeting is due to stigma and misinformation that have left the children exposed to grave danger.

Santhosh Matthews, co-founder of Love Without Reason, told journalists in Garissa on Monday that traffickers are exploiting the vulnerability of such children.

“The worst thing we have seen is that children born with craniofacial deformities are trafficked for their organs. Their faces may be affected, but their lungs, heart, kidneys, corneas – everything else is healthy,” he said.

He spoke at the Garissa County Referral Hospital where the NGO led a four-day free medical camp that offered corrective surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate conditions.

“Just because they have a facial deformity, they have become targets for trafficking. It’s a huge issue, and we are the only organisation actively raising awareness about it. Our goal is to ensure that every child born with a cleft or craniofacial condition receives corrective surgery, so they are protected,” Matthews said.

He urged the media to educate the public and dispel myths surrounding cleft and craniofacial conditions, emphasising that stigma remains one of the biggest challenges facing affected families.

Matthews also called on other non-governmental organisations to join the initiative, noting that the number of children needing corrective surgery continues to rise each year.

“Every year, children are born with clefts due to a variety of factors. Several NGOs are doing commendable work in Kenya and beyond, and we happen to be one of them,” he said.

“My hope is that many organisations will come together so we can collectively address this need and ensure that no child is left behind.”

For many parents, the free medical camp brought renewed hope.

Doreen Kajuju, a mother whose four-year-old son underwent surgery during the camp, said she was overwhelmed with joy. Financial constraints had previously prevented her from seeking treatment for her son.

“I am today a very happy mother, thanks to Love Without Reason. My son has lived with this condition for four years. It has been a challenge since he was born. Breastfeeding him was difficult, and even eating has been a struggle,” she said.

She said she quickly raised fare to enable her travel from Meru to Garissa after hearing about the free surgery.

“May God bless the doctors and everyone involved in this initiative,” she added.

Mohammed Hussein, Director of Hospital Administration at Garissa County Referral Hospital, thanked the organisers and urged more partners to collaborate with the facility to expand access to surgical care.

“I want to appreciate all the health workers participating in this activity, the partners who have supported us, and the county leadership. Cleft surgery is very expensive, and many parents, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, cannot afford it,” he said.

The cost of cleft lip surgery in Kenya ranges between Sh250,000 and Sh300,000. Hussein encouraged parents with children born with such conditions to seek medical help, stressing that early intervention significantly improves outcomes.

He also condemned the stigma faced by children with craniofacial deformities, noting that discrimination over a condition beyond their control often affects their self-esteem and overall development.

It was the second time Love Without Reason was conducting a medical camp at the facility, following a similar outreach in March last year.

The organisation aims to carry out at least 100 corrective surgeries over the four-day camp, offering a new lease of life to dozens of vulnerable children and their families.

Cleft lip and palate is a birth defect that occurs when a baby’s lip or mouth does not form properly during pregnancy. The condition varies in severity but can generally be treated successfully with surgery and other interventions.

Winfred Mureithi, a nurse working with the NGO- Love Without Reason speaking to the press. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO.