Intro
Madagascar
Bolivia
United States
Mexico
South Africa
Vietnam
Honduras
United States
United States
![](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/madagascar.jpg?h=27eba357&itok=UOsIbilD)
In Madagascar, a grandmother’s search for others in need
After seeing the life-changing impact of her granddaughter’s cleft surgery, a grandmother seeks out other children in need of care in rural Madagascar.
![](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/cruz_SM_600x900_0.jpg?h=6e754b88&itok=F30bVCQK)
“The doctors told me she would not survive”
When Victoria was born early, weighing just 1.34 pounds, her mother never gave up hope that her daughter would survive and get the surgical care she needed.
![](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/MDG_2014_056_Tolotra_Hospital_047_Blog.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=9HcMOpPx)
A passion for children’s care that transcends borders
Nurse Suzi Owocki’s dream of providing care to children around the world came true in 2002 when she was asked to participate in a medical mission in Honduras.
![](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/rubenbefore%5B1%5D.jpg?h=50a533aa&itok=vjLklDW2)
At 25, Ruben’s Confidence is Restored
Ruben Lopez, a 25-year-old man, arrived to the medical mission here in Chiapas, Mexico wearing a surgical mask to cover his face.
![](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/ZAF_2015_Mbombela_Student%20Sponsor_Marlise%20Van%20Der%20Merwe_005.jpg?h=3deee927&itok=CSx4z5sG)
In South Africa, mother and daughter committed to cleft care
Donay and Marlise van der Merwe are a rare mother and daughter combination. They are not just best friends but also partners in their commitment to improve the world for others and specifically for children born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate.
![](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/Microsoft-3_0.jpg?h=d011db5b&itok=sn_3JYM5)
Witnessing Operation Smile change lives on my recent trip to Hanoi
Microsoft and their Mobile First, Cloud First strategy is perfectly aligned with Operation Smile technology imperatives and the context in which we conduct our work.
![Meet 3-year-old Yitci who received surgery in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2022-08/HND_2013_Tegucigalpa_035_Yitci%20Mabel%20Gonzalez%20Garcia_Before_001.jpg?h=39714616&itok=o3UVTPQ8)
Yitci’s Story
Beautiful 3-year-old Yitci immediately caught our eye on screening day during the recent medical mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
![](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/HND_2015_Dan-Pyo_009-tif_NetPublish_Converted-1-blog%5B1%5D.jpg?h=5177c99c&itok=2ykDL60c)
“Surgery Changes the Whole Family”
Dr. Daniel Pyo, a plastic surgeon from New Jersey, still has a framed photo on his desk of the twins he operated on during his first medical mission with Operation Smile.
Meet a medical volunteer: Mamta Shah
Mamta Shah, a U.S.-based nurse, has been volunteering with Operation Smile for 14 years and has participated on 15 medical missions with Operation Smile. We recently caught up with her and learned about what inspires her to continue to do the life-changing work she does for children around with world. Read on for a question and answer-style interview with Mamta Shah.
Footer Content Components
Content Components
Title
Make Your Gift
Appeal
Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition. Your gift today will help transform lives and increase access to essential surgical care.
Image
Image
![](/sites/default/files/styles/subscribe_form_small/public/image/cl_background/GTM_2014_Alexandri_001_for_newsletter_signup_2_5.jpg?h=104dda4f&itok=xIH1XPiC)
Stay in the loop
Be the first to receive in-depth news, updates and heart-warming stories from our programs around the world.