Transforming Faces
Transforming Faces (TF) is a Canadian charity that provides free comprehensive cleft care for children and adults with cleft lip and palate in developing countries. TF works in partnership with local cleft specialists and funds community-based medical teams.[1] TF advocates for comprehensive cleft care, meaning wherever possible their local cleft teams include a wide variety of medical specialists and support staff.
Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common birth anomalies in the world.[2] A cleft occurs when the parts which make up the lip and palate fail to fuse properly. The condition affects a person's appearance, speech, teeth, eating, hearing and ability to develop socially.
In 1999, Jackie Elton, a UK-based businesswoman, and Jo Jamieson, a Canadian international development worker, founded Transforming Faces Worldwide in Toronto, Ontario. From a shared vision and caring concern for others, TF emerged to provide funding, support and encouragement to improve the quality of long-term cleft management in developing countries by working alongside local organizations committed to the full development of the affected individuals. TF has partnerships with medical teams from Argentina, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Peru, and Thailand. Transforming Faces Worldwide is a registered Canadian charity with the Canada Revenue Agency.
