Stories You Make Possible

Stories You Make Possible

Explore Operation Smile stories from around the world highlighting the courage of patients and their families, the dedication of our volunteers and staff, and the generosity of supporters like you.

Colombia
Thirteen-year-old Laura from Colombia stands in front of a green wall holding both of her "before" images.

Laura’s Lifelong Journey of Care

By the age of 12, Laura had undergone more surgeries than some adults have in their entire lives. But throughout her cleft care journey, she found comfort and confidence during her visits to Operation Smile Colombia’s care center. 
Global
A family walks from home down a long dirt road surrounded by green trees and shrubs on either side of the road. They are walking to their nearest hospital where they can find care and information about Operation Smile.

Health for All: Transcending Borders

Our Transcending Borders signature initiative strives to create more resilient and inclusive health systems that serve the needs of patients with cleft conditions regardless of their immigration statuses.
Madagascar
Posed for a group picture, Operation Smile Madagascar patient advocate Fidelis is at the center while some of the 42 patients he found and brought to Operation Smile's patient village during a 2018 program.

The Impact of One, Changes the Lives of Many

After an encounter with an Operation Smile Madagascar patient advocate, the paths of two patients unknowingly crossed as they both journeyed toward brighter futures.
Mexico
During a 2016 surgical program in Puebla, Mexico, 6-month-old Sabine wears a pink hoodie and a bright pink beanie on the second day of screening.

Holding Her Happier Future

The love Sabine’s mother had for her wasn’t diminished by the reality of having a child with a cleft lip. If anything, her love intensified when she set out to find a solution.
Rwanda

One Among Thousands

Dr. Ghulam Qadir Fayyaz has performed thousands of cleft surgeries, but the story of one Operation Smile patient revealed a definitive moment in his career.
United States
The book cover of Kimberly Griffin's children's book My Beautiful Lips

Coming to Life on the Page: Q&A with Kimberly and Warren Griffin

In her children’s book, “My Beautiful Lips,” Kimberly Griffin tells the story through the eyes of Abana, a 12-year-old girl who was born with a cleft lip. Although she is a fictional character, Abana faces real challenges that many of our patients encounter when living with an untreated cleft condition.
Honduras
On one side of the screening table, volunteers dressed in blue personal protective equipment. On the other, patients and families answer questions and provide information about their journey to the surgical program in Honduras.

Scenes of Hope and Healing: Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Last month in Tegucigalpa, 112 patients arrived to receive screening during one of Operation Smile Honduras’ largest surgical programs since the onset of the pandemic.
Global
The Magees pose for a family photo during a surgical program. Operation Smile photo.

A Family’s Mission to Help Others Spans Across 40 Years of Love and Leadership

Attending surgical programs as a child left a lasting impression on Dr. Billy Magee and influenced who he is as a surgeon. But as a father, the impression was deep enough that he jumped at the chance to give his oldest son, Liam, an opportunity to have a similar experience during a recent program in Rwanda.
Malawi
Sunday, 1 year old, is held by his mother while beside a photo of him before surgery at the roaming post-operative check-up at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, in March 2019.

A Brighter Day for Sunday

Esner refused to let her son’s future be consumed by harmful gossip and whispers. Sunday’s happiness and well-being motivated her to find a solution.

Make Your Gift

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.

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