Operation Cleft April09 Bangladesh

8/6/2019 Operation Cleft April09 Bangladesh

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An International Humanitarian Project

Changing Lives In Bangladesh

An International Humanitarian ProjectAn International Humanitarian Project

Changing Lives In BangladeshChanging Lives In Bangladesh

Operation Cleft Australia is committed to improving the life prospects ofthe children of Bangladesh by providing free reconstructive surgery to

repair cleft lips and palates

There are still a few seats free on this train.

In November 2004 a group of Rotarians visitedBangladesh. They were overwhelmed by the crowds and

noise of this remarkable country whose population is in

excess of 153.5 million in an area of just 144,000 sq km.

Compare that to Australia where the population is just

over 20.5 million in an area of 7,686,850 sq km

In the Beginning

In the BeginningIn the Beginning


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Down Town Jessore, Bangladesh

Down Town Jessore, BangladeshDown Town Jessore, Bangladesh

In Bangladesh the main modes of transport are bus, train

and rickshaw. If the bus breaks down.. they push

Whilst in Bangladesh the team visited villages and some local

hospitals in remote areas.

They were amazed at what they saw. This is a public wardwhere family members often stay with patients to help look

after them during their recovery.

Village Life

Village Life


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As they strolled through the wards, they noticed a young boyabout 12 years old with a bilateral cleft lip. Never having

seen an untreated cleft before, one of the Rotarians asked the

doctor, Why does he look like that at his age?

The Doctor went on to say that there are an estimated300,000 untreated clefts in Bangladesh and another 3,000 4,000 babies born with a cleft each year. The incidence of

cleft lip and/or palate at birth is nominally higher inBangladesh than average which is 1 in 700 births. Research

into the cause is as yet inconclusive. There are a number oftheories however: may be due to traces of arsenic in the bore

water or lack of folic acid in the diet during the first twomonths of pregnancy.

These statistics and the image of this young man made a

profound impact on the visiting Rotarians.

The doctor answered with some sadness, We can fix thiscondition quickly and economically but these patients are

very poor and the surgery is not covered by our publichealth system. They just do not have the money to pay.

At the Hospital

At the Hospital

Since its inception in August 2005, Operation Cleft hasdeveloped into a holistic, humanitarian project. To date we

have funded in excess of 4,000 cleft operations.

To further enhance the program and ensure best possiblepatient outcomes, we are in the process of developing Speech

Therapy services that will provide training for Healthcare

Professionals, patients and family members. Post-operativespeech therapy is now an integral part of our holistic

approach to the future of the project. This is the first ever

Speech and Language Therapy service in Bangladesh and

will ultimately be absorbed into the countrys public healthsystem.

Working in partnership with the community healthinfrastructure allows us to keep costs to a minimum. It

enables us to offer a unique service to the people of

Bangladesh that is sustainable and encourages selfsufficiency in the long term.

Operation Cleft is Born

Operation Cleft is Born


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Clef t pa la t eUn i la te ra l c le f t

l ip

B i lat e ral c le f t

l ip and pa la te

Cleft Palate: the two plates of the skull that form the roof of the mouthare not completely joined. In most cases, cleft lip is also present.

Palate clefts can occur as complete (soft and hard palate) or

incomplete; a 'hole' in the roof of the mouth that connects themouth directly to the nasal cavity.

Associated problems - Unable to speak properly, difficulty eating, may startgoing deaf at around 12 from infections in the middle ear canal.

Unilateral cleft lip: one split of the lip - Bilateral cleft: two splits of the lip.

If only skin tissue is affected, one speaks of cleft lip. Cleft lip is formedin the top of the lip as either a small gap or an indentation. (partial

or incomplete cleft) or continues into the nose (complete cleft). Lipclefts can occur as one sided (unilateral) or two sided (bilateral).

40% of the children that Operation Cleft work with have both a cleft lip

and palate.

What is a Cleft?What is a Cleft?

As you look at photos of these children, try to imagine the

families grief. Imagine this is your child or grandchild.

The problem these children have is not that they were bornwith a cleft but that they were born poor.

In Australia this type of facial deformity would be repairedat or shortly after birth. In Bangladesh however, the

condition is not considered life threatening and so is not

covered under the public health system

The cost of this amazing transformation, around $AUD250, iswhat many Australians regularly spend dining out with

friends. In Bangladesh it can be almost a years income.

Arshad is a ten year old boy from Seidpur in Bangladesh.

His father is a rickshaw driver and he is the second of fourchildren.

Arshads father earns around $AUD260.00 a year

Who do we help?Who do we help?Who do we help?


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Imagine you have a daughter named Morsheda who is nine

years old. You love her very much and you worry about her

as she was born with a deformity of the mouth;a bi-lateral cleft lip.

Your family is very poor. Having the money for an operation

to fix Morsheda is something you can only dream of.

MorshedaMorsheda

It breaks your heart as you know that she is isolated andteased by the other children.

One day in the village you hear an announcement from a vandriving slowly down the street. The van driver gives you a

flier that says free cleft surgery at Lamb Hospital. You

cant believe it and rush home to tell Morsheda.

The Doctor examines Morsheda and says with a smile,Yes, we can fix that for you.

Your family make the long journey to the hospital and aftermany hours you arrive, tired and apprehensive. Outside the

hospital you see a crowd of people waiting; many have cleftsjust like Morsheda.

A Ray of HopeA Ray of HopeA Ray of Hope


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When Morsheda comes out of surgery, you are so shocked.You cant believe that it is the same person. Your beautiful

daughter is now truely beautiful and when you return to

your village everyone is talking about your lovely daughterand how pretty she is.

One month after the operation you return to Lamb hospital

for a check up and to say Thank you to the team ofsurgeons who transformed your daughters face.

Now she has a second chance at life she has made newfriends and her prospects for a happy and fruitful life are

greatly improved.

Life Changing SurgeryLife Changing Surgery

Readul is ten months old and the only child of a rickshawdriver and his wife from Bodorgonj.

The family travelled by rickshaw for many hours to reachthe hospital and were thrilled when Doctors told them they

would operate the next day.

It is often difficult to get a smile from the children after the

operation as their little mouths are swollen and sore.

But in this post repair picture, taken just two days after

surgery, young Readul was all smiles.

The FamilyThe Family


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When visiting an Operation Cleft program, one of the most stirring

moments is to witness the family when they see their child for the first

time after surgery. From the time the child is born, they have

tried to save enough money to have the surgery, but in most

cases it is an impossible dream. They constantly worry about

what sort of life is in store for their child.

This mothers face says it all.

She is delighted when she sees the transformation to heryoung daughters face. She knows that her baby can now

lead a normal life and not suffer the torment and healthproblems that her cleft would have brought.

A Mothers DreamA MotherA Mothers Dreams Dream

When this father sees his young daughters face now

transformed, it is just too much for him.

The doctors say this is not an unusual occurrence.

Combine the stress of a long journey with malnutrition,apprehension and excitement. . .

He is so overwhelmed that he passes out.

While their child is in surgery, the family wait and worrywith a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

But What About Dad?But What About Dad?But What About Dad?


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24 hours after surgery Most get into a rickshaw andpedal off into the night. These people are some of the

worlds poorest. They know little of Australia and even lessof Rotary as their lives generally revolve around the small

villages in which they live.

Back to the villageBack to the villageBack to the village

But whether they know who or where we are is not

important. What really matters is that their child has beengiven an opportunity that they would never have dared to

dream possible.

They have been given the gift of a smile for life.

The Operation Cleft team work with highly trained plastic and

oral surgeons.

Shafquat Khundkar,

Professor of Plastic &

Reconstructive Surgery,Dhaka Medical College

Hospital is our surgical teamleader in Bangladesh. He did

his plastics training inMelbourne and is recognised

as one of the top plastic

surgeons in Bangladesh.

The TeamThe TeamThe Team

Post operative speech therapy isnow an integral part of our

holistic approach to the futuredevelopment of Operation Cleft

to ensure best possible

outcomes. Naanki Pasricha is

pictured here training one ofthe speech and language

therapy students from Dhaka.

The Operation Cleft Speech Therapy program is the first of its

kind in Bangladesh. This newly formed team train family membersand healthcare professionals to enable them to provide ongoing

speech therapy to the children after surgery.


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The average cost of surgery,including surgical team,

hospital, pre and post op

care and medication isaround $AUD250.

There have been very

moderate increases in costssince we first commenced the

program and this is largely

due to the increased cost ofpharmaceuticals and the

depreciation of the $AUDagainst the $US.

.

The CostThe CostThe Cost

Operation Cleft contracts skilled localsurgeons at a reduced rate. The

program links in, wherever possible, toexisting systems so that costs are

minimised.

Working in partnership with the

established community health

infrastructure not only allows us tokeep costs to a minimum. It also

enables us to offer a unique service to

the people of Bangladesh that is

sustainable and encourages selfsufficiency in the long term.

AdministrationAdministrationAdministration

The Operation Cleft Australia Foundation Trust Fund isadministered by a Committee of Management.

Management Committee

Chair Education Director Treasurer Project Manager Secretary

Brian Martin Lesley Bell Ken Clarke Naanki Pasricha Geoff Limmer

Fundraising. administration and marketing is managed by one paid

staff member supported by a group of dedicated volunteers. Working

together they process donations and maintain financial records.Printing and distribution and return of collection tins is also managed

by this team.

Volunteers, work on a rotating roster, ensuring a high standard ofadministration procedures is maintained. Their role is an integral

part of Operation Cleft and their professionalism and dedicationcontribute immeasurably to keeping the project costs to a minimum.


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In the past, Operation Cleft ran programs in a number ofcountries but we now concentrate our efforts in Bangladesh.

We are a Community Partner with AFAP (AustralianFoundation for People of Asia and the Pacific) and in

accordance with their guidelines have developed a clear and

comprehensive five-year strategic plan.

In the coming years, our aim is to provide regular surgical

programs at three of the major hospitals in Bangladesh and

monthly operations at clinics in more remote areas. (In total

a minimum of 1,000 operations a year).

We recently entered into a partnership arrangement with

the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) inBangladesh. Under our direction, they manage the in-

country intricacies of the project. Their role includescoordination of surgical and speech therapy programs,

distribution of funds for operations and fund-raising within

Bangladesh. (working under strict guidelines that areregularly audited by Operation Cleft Australia).

ProgressProgressProgress

AFAP (Australian Foundation for People of Asia and the

Pacific). AFAP is an innovative overseas aid organisation that

aims to make a positive difference to the lives of people

throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific.

Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) is a non-government organisation in Bangladeshi that works in

partnership with existing development organisations to

extend services to people with a disability.

In order for us to achieve our minimum goal of 1,000operations a year, we need your support.

Why not set a target to fund ten operations a year.

Based on the average cost of $250.00, that is just $2500.00.

This would change forever, the lives of ten children like the

ones you have just read about.

Operation Cleft is an approved Tax Exempt Charity in Australia

and has Deductible Gift Recipient registration with theAustralian Tax Office.

All donations of $2 or more are fully tax deductible

How can you help?How can you help?How can you help?

Club, Business, School Or Group

Have a birthday, retirement or other milestone celebration

coming up? Dont really want or need anything? Why notask your friends to help you give the gift of a smile in lieu

of a present.

Individuals


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PatronPatronPatron

Operation Cleft Ambassadors are available to speak

anywhere in Australia. Ambassadors are Operation CleftAustralias official representatives and also represent the

people for whom this humanitarian project provides lifechanging surgery. By spreading the word about Operation

Cleft, they inspire others to see that they can make theworld a better place.

Whilst Operation Cleft speakers are all volunteers, theirpresentations are of the highest standard. Included are

unique photographs and an inspirational PowerPointpresentations that highlight the positive work of a dedicated

team committed to making a difference. If you would like to

book a speaker please contact us [email protected].

Become an AmbassadorBecome an AmbassadorBecome an Ambassador

If you are interested in

becoming an Ambassador,either speak to your local

representative or [email protected]

The Patron of Operation Cleft is the Hon.

Alastair Nicholson AO RFD QC, FormerChief Justice of the Family Court of

Australia.

"I am honoured to participate in this great

project. This is a simple, economic and

effective scheme which has the potential to

relieve the suffering of thousands of children.

When I first saw the presentation on Operation

Cleft I was inspired and deeply moved.

SpeakersSpeakersSpeakers

Fazul is a four year old boy who had a bilateral cleft lip. Heis the oldest of two children and his father is a farmer in

Thakurgaon in Bangladesh.

His family traveled many miles by rickshaw to reach Lamb

hospital in time for the Operation Cleft program in whichFazul had his lip repaired. This photo was taken just hours

after surgery and even though his lip is still a little swollenthe transformation is quite remarkable.

This is what Operation Cleft is all about.

This is why supporters around the world believe in it.

Because for just $250 Fazuls life has been changed forever.

We have given him the gift of a smile for life

and you too could give that gift to a child like Fazul.

This is what Operation Cleft is all about.This is what Operation Cleft is all about.

This is why supporters around the world believe in it.

Because for just $250 Fazuls life has been changed forever.

We have given him the gift of a smile for life

and you too could give that gift to a child like Fazul.

What is it all about?What is it all about?What is it all about?


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An international humanitarian projectinitiated by the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central Inc.

Operation Cleft Australia Foundation Trust

ABN 36 063 471 446

Street address: 1/874 Canterbury Rd, Box Hill Vic 3128

Postal address: PO Box 631, Box Hill, Victoria 3128

Web: www.operationcleft.org.au

Manager - Julie SteinTel: 03 9898 2952

Email: [email protected]

Operation Cleft in Action video

http://www.operationcleft.org.au/video.htm

Changing lives in BangladeshChanging lives in Bangladesh

Documents

Operation Cleft April09 Bangladesh