Stories
Aynalem Learns Feeding Techniques to Help Her Son Thrive
Aynalem Learns Feeding Techniques to Help Her Son Thrive Uriel was born in Debre Markos, a small city in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. That he is now a thriving, healthy 1-year-old had almost been beyond hope for his mother, Aynalem. She had never heard of cleft lip...
From an Untreatable Diagnosis to an Unlimited Future – Meet Oscar
Oscar is the fourth child in a growing family living in the rural Kanungu district, Uganda. Upon Oscar’s birth, his mother Judith was given the news that every parent dreads: there is something seriously wrong with your baby…
A Bright Start in Uganda
Ivan and Jamirat live modestly in central Uganda’s Rekai district, working as a mechanic and a seamstress. When Jamirat discovered that she was pregnant, the couple was elated. They decided to name their firstborn child Yvonne, and couldn’t wait to welcome her into their arms.
Mobilizing CCC in Uganda: Meet Betty
Betty and her twin brother were born in the remote Napak district of North Eastern Uganda. As members of the Karamojong people, a nomadic cattle-herding community, Betty’s family live half a day’s drive from the nearest cleft centre. With no exposure to cleft, Betty’s...
Ethiopia: Meet Kalid
Five years ago, Kalid was born with a cleft lip and palate in West Haraghe, a region of Ethiopia over ten hours away from the capital of Addis Ababa. His family did not know who to turn to for support and his ability to speak clearly and participate in school was...
Uganda: Meet Prossy
Kyomuhendo was expecting twin girls, but she was shocked to discover that her daughter Prossy was born with a cleft lip and palate. Her midwife was quick to identify the common birth anomaly, affecting an estimated 1,100 births in Uganda each year. She referred...
2020 Fall Update: Bright Start
Though the border between Thailand and Myanmar has remained closed since March 25, 2020 due to COVID travel restrictions, TF’s local partner, the Northern Women’s Development Foundation (NWDF), continues to support virtual speech and counselling support while...
TF’s Fall COVID Update
Dear TF Supporters, As with you, the Transforming Faces team in Canada continues to adapt to ‘new normals’ under COVID as some restrictions lift, while others may be poised to be reinstated. I’m pleased to provide you with a brief snapshot of our ongoing work. A...
A Covid Update from TF’s Executive Director
Dear TF Supporters, 2020 was shaping up to be a breakthrough year for Transforming Faces in The Before Times. Local partners were expanding the depth and breadth of their care for children and families affected by cleft, and innovative collaborations with other...
Innovating Cleft Care Treatments during COVID-19
Hospitals worldwide are being cleared to make space for intensive care patients, and physical distancing requirements and lockdowns have necessarily postponed all traditional community-based cleft care. During this stressful time, TF’s local partners are...
