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In February 2020 Lara will be joining a team of medics and heading off to Ethiopia for her fifth mission, while big sister Carrie will be flying out for her second time.

About the mission 

Each year Project Harar - a charity dedicated to changing the lives of children and young adults - flies a team of medics to Ethiopia for a period of eight weeks. During two of these weeks, highly skilled surgeons operate on around 50 patients with severe facial disfigurements caused by anything from animal attacks, infections, and burns - to life threatening tumours. 

Without surgery, these patients can be ostracised for the way they look and consequently face a lifetime of social exclusion, be denied the opportunity to marry, or the chance to be educated. In addition they face  day to day pain and malnutrition from the inability to eat or drink properly, and a sheer lack of medical support to offer any hope of change.

Our work 

We'll be working closely with our Ethiopian colleagues and friends sharing our expert knowledge and skills, helping the patients not only from a medical perspective, but also educating and teaching them about general health, nutrition, and hygiene. Aspects of life that although we may take for granted, are an often alien concept to many of the patients. Alongside this and fundamental to the success of the mission, we'll be working to build a unique and strong working relationship with the Ethiopian team, patients - and each other.

This year Lara plays an integral role. Leading the nursing team for the two-week surgical phase, she'll be tirelessly caring for patients pre and post surgery as well as nursing them during their recovery period. Lara then stays for a further two weeks for the first part of the post-op phase, where she'll help patients continue their journey to recovery focusing on rehabilitation and wound management. Her role is hugely demanding of her skills and experience - and requires just as much love and positivity. Something which she's highly qualified for!

Carrie will be heading out as the official mission photographer. She'll be documenting the critical and life-changing work the medical team carry out, while capturing the transformational patient journeys. Carrie will also be working alongside the media team creating case studies; helping the patients tell their unique and awe-inspiring stories. Both images and stories will be shared on social, so if you'd like to keep up please head to the Project Harar Facebook page and give them a like :)

How you can help 

To support our four weeks in Ethiopia working with this amazing team for an incredible cause, we're looking to raise £3000. This goes towards our fights and accommodation, as well as hospital and patient supplies. Donations of any amount are HUGELY appreciated and will help change many lives. Even a simple like and share of our post helps spread the word and we're extremely grateful for any support you can offer.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Thank you so much in advance and we look forward to sharing our stories with you through the Project Harar Facebook page on our return! 

Lara and Carrie x