Gavina's Project Team

Since 2002, TFW has supported cleft lip and palate treatment in San Miguel de Tucumán, a northern city on the slopes of Argentina's Aconquija Mountains (See map). Over 350 children in Argentina have received cleft surgery and rehabilitation to date.

Local partner GAVINA is the only centre in Northern Argentina providing multidisciplinary cleft rehabilitation.

GAVINA was founded to serve Tucumán and neighbouring provinces where the most acute poverty levels are found in Argentina. GAVINA provides the following services to children in need:

• Reconstructive Surgery in cooperation with Tucumán's Hospital for Sick Children;
• Speech therapy;
• Dental work;
• Orthodontics;
• Nutritional advice,
• Psychological support;
• Counselling to family members;
• Monitoring visits from GAVINA's social worker.

In the next 3 years, over 200 children from Northern Argentina will receive surgery and rehabilitation for cleft lip and palate through the TFW/GAVINA project.

In 2007, an alliance was formed with the local Maternity Hospital to open a special breastfeeding clinic for mothers with children with cleft lip and palate. Often, new mothers experience stress after giving birth to a child with cleft lip and palate, and they need guidance to ensure proper feeding and bonding.

TFW also provides training for local doctors and specialists. In cooperation with Chile's Fundacion Ganz, GAVINA's plastic surgeons will travel to Santiago to receive training on the latest surgical techniques.