In 2008, Ben Fogle caught a flesh-eating disease called Leishmaniasis which, if untreated, would have destroyed his face. In this film, Ben investigates a sickness that's far worse but virtually unheard of - Noma, which eats away the faces of thousands of Africa's poorest children. Up to ninety percent of Noma victims die, while survivors are left terribly disfigured.
Ben journeys to Ethiopia, where he meets three children whose lives have been blighted by this terrible disease: teenager Rashid, forced to hide his face in public; Asnake, aged 11, whose misshapen mouth makes him dribble constantly; and 10-year-old Mestikma, abandoned by her family because of her deformity.
Ben watches as visiting surgeons carry out amazing transformative surgery. A month later, he returns to Ethiopia to visit the recovering patients. For them, a new face means a new life.
Make Me a New Face: Hope for Africa's Hidden Children has received numerous positive reviews, and is broadcast on BBC2 Wednesday 9th June at 9pm
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