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The 2008 “Cleft year” was very eventful and involved the further development of all of the centres. Furthermore, we were able to find a location for a sixth Cleft centre in Delhi. In addition, 2008 was characterised by intensive skill enhancement and further education activities. All of this is a measure of the high quality of the treatment. Moreover, we can report that the number of operations in 2008 exceeded even that of the previous year – we operated on 4,087 people; in 2007 it was just 2,626.

Furthermore, the foundations were laid for the creation of the Cleft-Children India foundation, which facilitates the administrative processes for an ever growing number of treatment centres. The humanitarian work of Cleft-Children International is increasingly appreciated also by the leading political institutions of the countries in which CCI is active.

You can download the detailed annual report as a PDF document:

2008 annual report (in German)
≈ 2,07 MB

There were several reports about the Chennai Cleft Centre last month in Indian newspapers. It was possible to successfully close the facial cleft of a ten-week-old baby from Sri Lanka. The hospital in southern India was the last hope for the father. In his homeland he would have had to wait two years for the operation which was vital for his daughter. Little Brinda could not drink milk because of her facial cleft. The fate of the girl shows once again how urgently our assistance is needed. More about this story can be read in the following press articles.

Deccan Chronicle, 01/17/2009:

News Today, 01/17/2009:

Chennai Plus, 01/18/2009:

Our aid organization can look back on a successful 2008. With the support of sponsors we were able to operate on 3,672 children and give them the gift of a new smile. In addition, there were countless dental treatments and successful speech therapies.

Whether in Kolkata, Mumbai or Chennai, we can announce positive news from all five Indian cleft centres as well as from Romania. Last year, we were able to make it possible for many boys and girls to start a happy life with the help of our sponsors, helpers and donors.

Tirelessly in action in five centres of hope

Kalkutta,
Dr. Kothari

Mumbai,
Dr. Sabnis

Hyderabad,
Prof. Reddy

Chennai, Prof.
Ramanathan

Mangalore,
Dr. Shetty

Unfortunately, we also had to put up with setbacks last year. Little Lali, “the girl with two faces”, died last June before her operation. For 2009, we have set ourselves ambitious goals: We want to help even more cleft children and release them from their disfigurement.