Children First Foundation

Children First Foundation � life-changing and life-saving surgery

�recovery and rehabilitation

� in Australia

� for child

Children First Foundation facilitates life-changing and life-saving surgery for disadvantaged children from developing countries. We picture a world where every child can access excellent medical care wherever they live. The children who come to Australia for their surgery live at our Retreat in rural Victoria, where they are cared for by our amazing team of staff and volunteers. Over the past 22

years, the Foundation has enabled over 400 disadvantaged children from 32 developing countries to receive the surgery and care they need to change their lives. Now back home, they are healthy and happy, with all their hopes and dreams before them. We receive no government funding and rely on the generosity of donors.

Meet Yembu from PNG 💙 Yembu was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. After being referred to us earlier this year...
02/06/2026

Meet Yembu from PNG 💙

Yembu was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. After being referred to us earlier this year, and thanks to your generous support, he was able to receive surgical care to repair his cleft lip at just six months old.

This was the first time the local surgical team performed a procedure on such a young patient — and the outcome has been incredible. Yembu is resting and recovering after this life‑changing surgery, right at home with his family 💙

Thank you for making this possible. Because of your support, children like Yembu can receive the care they need, closer to home ✨



These clinical photos of Lilyrose play an important role in her care: helping create a clear medical record before and a...
31/05/2026

These clinical photos of Lilyrose play an important role in her care: helping create a clear medical record before and after surgery, as well as supporting learning and training for medical teams caring for children with similar conditions.

But beyond that, they are also beautiful moments of Lilyrose herself — a little star in front of the camera 📸✨

Janeth even had the chance to step in for a photo with her daughter, creating a special memory together as they prepare for Lilyrose’s upcoming surgery 💙



29/05/2026

Two weeks ago, we were honoured to receive a special live address from Timor‑Leste’s President José Ramos‑Horta at our fundraising Sparkling Lunch.

His words highlighted the importance of the work Children First Foundation does, and the strong partnership we share with Timor‑Leste in supporting children who require specialist medical care.

Hearing his reflections, alongside images from our latest surgical trip to Timor‑Leste in late 2025, are both inspiring and deeply grounding. In his words “Each surgery performed represents a family that moves from fear to hope.”

Our heartfelt thanks to all who share in our commitment to supporting children 💙

We are incredibly grateful for your generosity and care, and extending our sincere thanks to President José Ramos‑Horta for his time and thoughtful contribution to the event.




Take a look at gorgeous little Costa from Zambia 💙✨ Thanks to your generosity, Costa was able to undergo surgery to repa...
28/05/2026

Take a look at gorgeous little Costa from Zambia 💙✨

Thanks to your generosity, Costa was able to undergo surgery to repair his cleft palate — right at home in Zambia.

This is such an important milestone for Costa. Being cared for close to home, surrounded by family and in his own language, makes a meaningful difference to his journey and recovery.

We can’t wait to share more updates from Zambia with you 🫶✨



26/05/2026

It’s been a calm and gentle recovery period for Jelome—filled with cuddles and playtime on the giant roll-out piano mat, along ukulele and cars.

He was so proud of himself, saying “mama” at the end of the video 💙

This post-operation care is made possible thanks to your compassion and care towards Jelome, we are incredibly grateful for that 🙏


24/05/2026

We’ve so loved getting to know Lilyrose 💙

You may notice the swelling at the back of her skull in some of these shots: removing it safely by a specialist surgical team is the reason she has come to Australia for care.

We love being able to share wonderful moments of childhood joy, curiosity and creativity which continuously remind us why this work matters so much. And it is all thanks you, for helping make this possible for children like Lilyrose ✨

We hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Kerrie, Roeun, Xuan‑Linh and Efika this week, and hearing their stories 💙 Perhaps somethi...
24/05/2026

We hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Kerrie, Roeun, Xuan‑Linh and Efika this week, and hearing their stories 💙

Perhaps something they shared inspired you or resonated with you.

If you’d like to get involved and share your compassion and time with families who are far from home and navigating life‑changing moments, we’d love to hear from you.

Find out more via the link in our bio ⤴️✨

Thank you again to our volunteers, who make life brighter to the families in our care 💙



23/05/2026

We asked Kerrie, Roeun, Xuan-Linh and Efika to share one reason they’d encourage others to volunteer 💙

For Kerrie, it’s about connection and fulfilment — beyond the friendships and sense of community, she says “it’s the most rewarding thing you could ever do.”

Roeun says you don’t have to do everything to make a difference — “you don’t have to help everyone, but you can help one family be healthy.”

For Xuan-Linh, even small actions have power — “do whatever you can… it brings hope to people and lifts your spirit.”

And for Efika, it’s about ensuring no one feels alone — “if someone can spare some of their time to volunteer then...people who need help wouldn’t feel alone.”

Every act of volunteering — big or small — makes a real difference ✨


22/05/2026

Meet Efika 👋

For Efika, volunteering is about using her time with purpose: “[I] utilise the time I have in a meaningful way.”

She’s especially impacted by the moments of connection with families.
“Jelome’s mum, Lily, was missing home so I was there...to support her emotionally and being present for her was a moment I will remember because I’m also away from home...and it was good to be there for others.”

Guided by her upbringing in the Pacific, Efika sees volunteering as a way to continue helping others.
“We were brought up to help each other, and this is just another way I can do that living here in [Australia].”

We’re so grateful for everything you do, Efika, thank you 💙


Address

Level 24, 570 Bourke Street
Melbourne, VIC
3000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61393294822

Website

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