Our Work in Chile
Despite a National Cleft Protocol, families in low-income situations too often fall through the cracks, putting their child’s full rehabilitation at risk.
Salvador pictured with his mother, Evelin, at their home in Santiago
Cleft Care in Chile Today
Chile boasts significant cleft care expertise. However, economic and political instability have increased the barriers that families face in accessing this in-demand care. From guidance in navigating care options to bridging gaps for rural patients, to equipping patients to address stigma, Transforming Faces’ partners are developing models of Comprehensive Cleft Care that are emulated throughout Latin America.
Listen to this podcast to learn more about a new training tool called the 3D Cleft Palate Simulator and how TF collaborated to provide training in Chile.
Fast Facts
- Population: 19,600,000
- Capital: Santiago
- Below Poverty Line: 11%
- Cleft Incidence: 300+/ year
Key Challenges
Psychosocial Support
Bullying and stigma related to cleft are significant challenges for families in Chile’s capital, Santiago.
Speech Therapy
Increasing economic insecurity places additional barriers to the ability of families to attend regular appointments to address challenges to their speech.
Family Support
Families affected by cleft in low-income situations may require additional support in navigating the treatment options available through the National Cleft Protocol.
ONG Cleft’s Canine Therapy Initiative in Chile
ONG Cleft, a TF partner based in Santiago, Chile, has grown an initiative to include canine therapy in their Comprehensive Cleft Care. Children and their families have reported lowered anxiety and stress during dental treatments. At the Cleft 2022 international conference, members of the ONG Cleft team presented on their findings.
Program Successes
Psychological counselling sessions provided for low income patients and/or caregivers
The average age of patients accessing Comprehensive Cleft Care
Patients who are benefiting from ‘Práctica en Línea’ a website with games and guides to improve Speech Therapy outcomes for patients with cleft
"The important thing is that a child with cleft now has an adequate solution for all their challenges and rehabilitation allows them to integrate fully into society. Here at Gantz, we provide this treatment with an interdisciplinary team, where both the parents and child are a part of this team."
- Jacqueline García, Head Nurse, Fundación Gantz
Stories of Success
In many communities, unhelpful beliefs about cleft are burdensome for families. For parents, their minds are busied with questions of “why” this has happened to them and what caused this condition to affect their family. With the right support from a dedicated cleft team, families can overcome the noise and fears to help their children…
Brandon is from Lampa in the mountainous region of Northern Chile. No one knew why he struggled to speak clearly, and as soon as he started school, teasing and bullying became his everyday experience. Brandon’s parents were determined to help him thrive. They began reaching out to doctor after doctor. Finally, an answer. Brandon was…
Two-year-old tech-savvy Georgina doesn’t hesitate to call her grandma on WhatsApp when she wants to talk. When the TF team visited her, she was keen to show off her technology-inspired toys. And her favourite food to eat? French fries, even if her parents wish it were broccoli! Reflecting on their journey with Georgina’s cleft so…
In our impact report, we shared that, thanks to our monthly Bright Start donors, we were able to exceptionally arrange surgery for 11 children in the capital city, Yangon. Among those children, a photo of Yoon* and her father, Phyo was featured. Early in 2020, Phyo and his wife Aung learned they would be expecting…
Dan, a bicycle mechanic, and Hellen, a stay-at-home mother, reside on the shores of the swampy Lake Kyoga, along with their two children – Janet and Innocent. In mid-2021, they expanded their family and welcomed a third child, who they would name Esther. It wasn’t until the delivery day that the local health centre discovered…
Vineesh was born in 2012 to a humble family living in the village of Neriya, India near the coastal region of Karnataka. He has two siblings whom he enjoys playing with. Vineesh enthusiastically attends school each day and hopes to grow up to be a teacher. He excels at mathematics, which happens to be his…
Our Partners in Cleft Care
TF has been supporting partners in Chile since 2012.
Our Partnerships in Chile
- Fundación Gantz, Santiago
- ONG Cleft, Santiago
- Hospital Dr. Luis Calvo Mckenna, Santiago