Our Mission

We partner locally and innovate globally so that children and families in under-resourced communities access Comprehensive Cleft Care.

Our Vision

Our vision is for all children affected by cleft lip and palate to experience full rehabilitation and community inclusion with the support of a trusted local health team.

Our Approach

Our focus is Comprehensive Cleft Care (CCC). From parent support, to nutritional care for infants, to safe surgeries and holistic post-surgical care, a CCC treatment pathway is multidisciplinary and appropriately timed for each child’s long-term rehabilitation.

About Cleft Lip and Palate

Cleft lip and palate are among the most common birth conditions, affecting about one in 700 children globally. This condition can have a significant impact beyond physical appearance, influencing speech, hearing, nutrition, and social development.

Treating cleft lip and palate involves more than just initial surgery; it requires a comprehensive approach. Transforming Faces offers a range of services to support ongoing care and rehabilitation, including speech therapy, feeding assistance for mothers and newborns, dental and orthodontic care, hearing support, ENT care, transportation help for low-income families from rural areas, and psycho-social counseling for patients and families. We also focus on community awareness to ensure broader support and understanding.

About Transforming Faces (TF)

Founded in 1999, Transforming Faces was born out of a shared commitment to enhancing long-term cleft care in the low and middle-income contexts. We work closely with local partners to provide a holistic approach that goes beyond physical treatment. Our goal is to enable children to attend school, build healthy relationships, and fully engage in society without the barriers of stigma and exclusion.

Surgery is a crucial step, but it is just the start. Patients often need years of additional treatments, including nutritional support, speech therapy, dental care, hearing assessments, and counseling—services that are frequently limited or inaccessible in the areas where we operate. Transforming Faces is dedicated to bridging these barriers.

Learn more at: transformingfaces.org