What are orofacial clefts (OFCs)? Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are a group of birth anomalies which occur during fetal development, and refer to cleft lips, palates (the roof of the mouth), or a combination of both. When in the womb, the lip and mouth both form during the first trimester (CDC). Depending on the individual, both...
Thanks for your interest in volunteering! As we prepare for a return to the field, we have updated our mission volunteer procedures to reflect the current global health situation. If you are interested in volunteering with AfS in 2022, please read our updated mission guidelines carefully. These guidelines have been created in an effort to keep everyone...
As you look west over the Nile River, there’s a strip of green south to north, as far as they can see, A few feet beyond that you see the light brown desert. Driving west across the Nile once you get to the desert, it goes on further than you want. We drive with a concentrated team:...
Ghada is six years old. Her mother died after giving birth to her and her twin brother. She is cared for by her aunt and her father. Ghada is a beautiful and sweet Nubian- a people displaced by the building of the Aswan Dam along the Nile River ranging between Aswan and Khartoum in Central...
I heard a bright voice emanating from the corner of the room and found that it was from Mahmoud Yakout. Mahmoud is a blind man whose lack of sight does not limit him in any way. Energy emanates from his every word; his enthusiasm for life is immediately apparent. Mahmoud is now 22 years old...
31-year-old Abdullah had his first cleft operation at 2 years when his palate was repaired. And it wasn’t until he was 20 that he was able to have his lip repaired. Unable to afford any further treatment, Abdullah has now waited 10 years for what he hopes would be his final surgery by AfS. Abdullah...
