Transforming Faces

Empowering local medical teams to deliver quality care for children born with cleft in the Global South.

Transforming Faces (TF) is a Canadian-based charity that provides comprehensive cleft care for children born with cleft lip and palate and their families. TF partners with local medical teams to ensure that life-changing cleft care is accessible for all.

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common birth anomalies in the world, affecting roughly 1 in 700 children.[1] A cleft occurs when the tissue of a baby's lip or the roof of their mouth do not form properly during pregnancy, causing an opening the lip, palate or both. While the type and severity of the cleft will vary from child to child, the condition typically affects more than just a child's appearance, also affecting their speech, hearing, nutrition, and ability to develop socially.

Mission & Vision

Transforming Faces equips local teams to provide comprehensive cleft lip and palate care that is accessible for all. Together, we are building happier, healthier lives for children and families in Asia, Africa and the Americas. Our vision for children born with cleft lip and palate is full inclusion into their community, so they can pursue their hopes and dreams.

Approach:

  1. Provide comprehensive care to children born with cleft, so they can thrive at home, at school and in their communities.
  2. Support families to help every child realize their full potential.
  3. Build the capacity of local cleft teams worldwide.

History

From a shared vision of caring and concern for others, Transforming Faces emerged in 1999 to improve the quality of long-term cleft care in developing countries by working alongside local organizations. Jackie Elton, a UK-based businesswoman, and Jo Jamieson, a Canadian international development worker, founded the organization in Toronto, Ontario.

Transforming Faces is committed to completing the circle of care for children born with cleft lip and/or palate.

Comprehensive Cleft Care

Transforming Faces' comprehensive approach to cleft care not only physically transforms faces, but also radically alters the trajectory of a child's life by allowing them to finish school, develop healthy relationships, start families, and participate in society without the constant threat of discrimination and exclusion.

While surgical repair is important, it is just the beginning of a child's journey to full rehabilitation from their cleft. In reality, cleft patients require years of treatments - including speech therapy, dental and orthodontic care, hearing assessments, and psycho-social support - which are rarely accessible or affordable in the contexts where TF works. Many children born with a cleft will require up to 20 years or rehabilitative treatment.

Where Transforming Faces Works

Transforming Faces partners with local medical teams in: Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Ethiopia, India, Myanmar, Peru, Thailand and Uganda.

100% Promise

A private charitable foundation covers all of TF's non-program costs, allowing Transforming Faces to direct 100% of every dollar donated directly towards comprehensive cleft care programs.

Transforming Faces Worldwide is a registered Canadian charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.

References

  1. ↑ Tolarova, Marie M. (September 11, 2013). "Pediatric Cleft Lip and Palate". Medscape. Retrieved 23 July 2015.
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