OPERATION SMILE: Care for Brighter Futures: Iris’ Story
As soon as Iris gets off the bus and, together with her mother, moves through the crowds of people at a bus station in Managua, Nicaragua, she hides. Walking behind her mother, she holds one hand on her mother’s shoulder and the other covers her mouth. Her eyes are locked on her mother’s back, as if she doesn’t want to meet the eyes of any of the strangers staring at her.
Operation Smile
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Global education access on the rise
Education varies from country to country, so global education is an expansive topic. Students learn key vocational skills and expand their future opportunities by developing empathy, fostering confidence and nurturing their academics in a structured setting to improve their quality of life. Investment in education will yield significant returns for society. It is key that […]
OPERATION SMILE: Today’s Training, Tomorrow’s Solutions
Rwanda faces dire challenges when it comes to the number and skill of its health care professionals: Only two reconstructive plastic surgeons and 18 anesthesiologists serve the country of nearly 12 million people. And the need extends far beyond cleft conditions. In Rwanda, much of the surgical demand results from trauma and burn wounds. The […]
OPERATION SMILE: Persevering Through Uncertainty, Tragedy and the Unexpected
Valeria’s eight-month ultrasound revealed that her daughter, Lilia, would be born with a cleft lip and cleft palate. She had already lost her job as a kindergarten teacher due to pandemic lockdowns, and, tragically, her husband passed away just before Lilia was born. Grief, fear, loneliness and doubt filled Valeria’s thoughts. Still, she persevered. And […]
OPERATION SMILE: Solace After a Rigorous Journey
After a Rigorous Journey, This Venezuelan Family Finds Solace in Brazil Venezuela’s economic and political chaos has not only deterred tourists from the visiting the region, but has led to more than 4.5 million residents seek out refuge in neighboring nations as of February 2020. Yoel, his wife, Yelisbeth, and their four daughters are one […]
OPERATION SMILE: Guibson: His Story, His Words
Within Guibson is incredible strength that pushes him to pursue his dreams – strength that his mother, Iva, instilled in him. When Guibson was 6 months old, he received surgery at his local hospital (unaffiliated with Operation Smile) to repair his cleft lip. Although it seemed to be a success at first, as he grew […]
