OUR WHY

In South Africa, approximately 1 in every 723 babies are born with a Cleft Lip and or Palate.

The chances of a baby being born with a Cleft Lip and or Palate is 0.14%.

With this Foundation, we wish to not only raise funds for the surgeries, but also offer support to these families

and to create awareness about Clefts in South Africa.

What is a Cleft Lip?

A Cleft Lip is a congenital defect that is present at birth. It is a noticeable gap in an infant’s lip and may occur

on one or both sides of the lip, stretching to the nose.

What is a Cleft Palate?

A Cleft Palate is a congenital defect that is present at birth. It is a gap in the roof of the mouth that extends to the nose.

What is the impact of this deformity?

Both birth defects can affect the way infants feed and suckle, and can also impact their growth and development,

including dental and speech development.

MEET OUR TEAM

All of our members of the Blissful Cleft Foundation share an unique care and passion for babies born with a Cleft Lip and or Palate. We want to support parents who cannot afford to pay for these very costly operations, and in this way be able to give these warrior children their forever smiles.

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DR SHARAN NAIDOO

Director and Co -Founder of Blissful Cleft Foundation,

Specialist Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon.

Dr Sharan Naidoo obtained his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD) at the University of Pretoria in 2000. In 2001 he completed his Diploma in Oral Surgery. In 2010 he completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) at the University of Pretoria. He qualified as a Specialist Maxillofacial and Oral Surgeon in 2013.

In 2016, Dr Naidoo was promoted to Head Clinical Unit at the Facial Cleft Deformity Clinic. In 2017 he was appointed as Acting Head of the Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery Department at the University of Pretoria.

Dr Naidoo is currently running his private practice at Mediclinic Midstream Hospital in Pretoria, where he is also establishing the Blissful Cleft Clinic.

With his expertise and vast knowledge, comes a passion for Cleft lip and Palate surgeries only known to few. He is forming part of the Directors and Founders of this Foundation, by using his skills to complete all the surgeries

at no cost.

SR ANDREA DOS SANTOS

Director and Co -Founder of Blissful Cleft Foundation,

Registered Nurse

Completed her Bachelors in Nursing Sciences in 2014 from the University of Pretoria. Andrea attained numerous awards for academic achievements,

as well as leadership roles.

She went to work in the Maternity Unit at Pretoria West Hospital.,

and NICU units in various Pretoria Hospitals.

In 2017 Andrea completed Cum Laude her Diploma in Occupational Health at OCSA Academy.

In 2018 Andrea started working at Mediclinic Midstream Hospital where she acted as the Head Clinic Unit Manager of the Paediatric ward. Here she started working with Dr Sharan Naidoo and his Cleft surgeries.