Welcome to the first quarterly newsletter for Cleft Friends of 2017.

Cleft Friends is geared to support parents throughout South Africa. Together we aim to improve lives by empowering, advocating & educating all South African’s affected by cleft lip and palate. To all the parents who have children scheduled for surgeries in both government and private hospitals this year, we look forward to meeting you.

We are kicking off 2017 with the theme My Story. Throughout the year we will be placing stories on our website and social media about cleft lip and palate and the impact Cleft Friends is making in communities throughout South Africa. We want to hear your stories and we want to celebrate victories and milestones with you. Click here if you have a story you would like to share with our cleft community.

The Cleft Friends Breakfasts will be happening again in Durban, Witbank, Bryanston, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and introducing Bloemfontein.

We will be expanding our Facebook discussion to include focused conversations called Let’s Talk Clefts starting with the Smile Foundation’s Clinical Psychologist, Sarah Barnes at the end of February 2017. Click here if you would like to be added to the Let’s Talk Clefts mailing list. Keep an eye on our website and social media links for upcoming dates and fundraising events and how you can get involved.

This year we are running an exciting, creative competition. Design and make a quilt for a baby diagnosed with a cleft lip and/or palate by entering this competition. Entries close 12 July 2017. You could win a 2 night stay at Kuzuko Lodge in the Addo Elephant National Park that lies hidden within the cavernous bushveld of the Eastern Cape. All you have to do is enter a quilt in the Cleft Friends Baby Quilt Competition. Judging by SA Quilters Guild accredited judges.

“When you make something with your hands which invariably involves time, effort, love and often sacrifice, and then you give it away as a gift, you are truly giving of yourself.  These quilts are loving gestures which will bring much comfort and joy, and will surely be valued and treasured by those who receive them.” Shan Fox

Please take note our banking details have changed, see below. Should you make a donation or payment to Cleft Friends please email the proof of payment to info@cleftfriends.co.za.

Wishing you all of the best in 2017!

Closing the gap!