Ripple Effect: From Operation Smile Patient to Dentistry Student 

One of the most rewarding aspects of our work at Operation Smile is seeing what happens over time when you create opportunities for a young child. In our Ripple Effect series, we introduce you to patients and volunteers whose journeys have led them to a life of creating a positive impact in their communities and beyond. 

Ángeles Luque first encountered Operation Smile Peru as a young child when she received cleft surgery. Grateful for the life-changing care she received, she was inspired to give back to the organization and the volunteers who changed her life.  

This led her to create the first student club in Arequipa at the Universidad Católica de Santa María, where she and her peers raise awareness about cleft conditions, spreading hope and inspiring action in their community. 
 
Now 21 and studying dentistry at the Universidad Católica de Santa María de Arequipa, Luque is dedicated to helping others with cleft conditions, showing how one action can spark a ripple effect of positive change. As she says, “Our scars do not define us; what defines us is how we transform them into strengths.” 
 
We spoke with Luque about how her experience with Operation Smile has given her a unique perspective and drive to help other patients.  

You had your first cleft surgery when you were very young, and the last one at age 17. What did you learn as a patient that helps you in your role as a volunteer?  

Ángeles Luque: I learned that empathy is key. I know what a child feels when they walk into a consultation filled with fear, what goes through a parent’s mind as they wait for surgery updates. This isn’t something I learned from books; it’s something I lived. This allows me to be present in a different way – with words that comfort, with gestures that bring reassurance. I understand their concerns because they were once mine too.  

Sharing my story from a personal perspective helps others better understand what it means to live with a cleft condition. Showing that these conditions do not define a person, but rather are part of a journey of resilience, inspires and educates others. 

Tell us about the student club in Arequipa. Why did you start it, and how were you able to get other students interested in joining? 

AL: I always wanted to help others going through the same experience, but I didn’t know how — until I remembered Operation Smile. It had been 10 years since my last surgery with [the organization]. I realized that there was no space in Arequipa where young people could actively get involved with the cause, so I decided to create the student club with a friend. 

To help get others interested, I spoke from my experience, from what it really means to be a patient. It’s not just about the medical aspect; it’s about everything that comes with it — the wait before surgery, the looks from strangers, the fear of speaking or smiling. That resonated with other students.  

What is one thing you wish all volunteers knew? 

AL: That it’s not just about helping with surgeries or medical programs, but about making patients feel valued and understood. Sometimes, a hug, a conversation or simply being there can change a child’s or a family’s experience. The emotional aspect is just as important as the medical one. 

What have you learned through your studies that you wish you knew as a child patient? 

AL: That treatment doesn’t end with surgery, that postoperative care is essential and that every stage of the process matters. I wish I had known more about early orthodontic care, speech therapy and the impact of bite alignment on breathing and eating. Now, with what I’ve learned, I want to make sure other patients have access to that information from the start. 

What are your plans after you complete your education? 

AL: I want to continue educating — not just patients and families, but also future health care professionals. Sometimes, doctors and dentists only see the clinical side, but behind every patient, there is a story, an internal struggle and a need for emotional support. I want to help more people understand this, so that more patients can receive comprehensive care and no one feels like they must hide their smile. 

Learn more about Operation Smile volunteer programs.