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Our History



Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Together, we create smiles, change lives, heal humanity.

Our Beginning:
  • Operation Smile was founded in 1982 by Dr. William P. Magee Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen S. Magee, a nurse and clinical social worker.

  • Operation Smile was launched with its first project to the Philippines in 1982 and currently supports international and local, in-country medical projects to 25 countries.

  • Since 1993, U.K. medical professionals have volunteered on Operation Smile medical projects to provide free surgery to thousands of children in places such as Kenya, India, the Philippines, Jordan, Colombia, Morocco and Vietnam.

  • In June 2000, BBC1 aired a documentary called "The Facemakers" about the work of Operation Smile. The growing interest by donors and doctors in the U.K. for the work of Operation Smile prompted the creation of a formal Resource Country in late 2001.

  • In March 2002, Operation Smile U.K. proudly gained registered charitable status and has since raised vital funds and awareness to support the breadth of the organisation's global medical programmes.
Our Achievements
  • 2007

    • World Journey of Smiles: In November 2007, as part of Operation Smile’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, we helped to fund and coordinate projects in every country we work in around the globe. This ambitious endeavour resulted in just under 5,000 children receiving free surgery.

    • Anaesthesia Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Operation Smile UK funded the inaugural conference for the Ethiopian Society of Anaesthetists.

    • Morocco Comprehensive Care Centre: With the help of all our supporters, OSUK funded the building of a Comprehensive Care Centre in Casablanca, with funds from the Angus Lawson Memorial Trust creating a dental wing.

    • Cambodia Local Medical Programmes: Provided Sustainable Development Grant

    • Brian Coghlan Memorial Fellowship: Funded Natalie Miller, Executive Director, Operation Smile South Africa.


  • 2006

    • Deesa, India Medical Project: 128 children treated

    • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Medical Project: In partnership with Ethiopiaid, Operation Smile team treats 131 children

    • Surgical Education Programme, Jimma, Ethiopia: International volunteers worked with local surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses to develop their knowledge and skills for treating facial deformities

    • Jimma, Ethiopia Medical Project: 116 children treated

    • Nursing Education Programme, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 24 nurses receive training in advanced methods of care

    • Basic Life Support Training Course, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 91 nurses trained in life support methods

    • Kenya Medical Project (three sites): 409 children treated

    • Bolpur, India Medical Project: 149 children treated

    • Morocco Local Medical Programmes: Provided Sustainable Development Grant

    • Cambodia Local Medical Programmes: Provided Sustainable Development Grant

    • Brian Coghlan Memorial Fellowship: Funded Natalie Miller, Executive Director, Operation Smile South Africa. Operation Smile South Africa becomes Operation Smile’s newest foundation

    • KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: 59 children are treated in Internationally Supported Local Medical Project.


  • 2005

    • Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Medical Project: In partnership with Ethiopiaid, Operation Smile team treats 184 patients

    • Kenya Medical Project (three sites): 375 children treated

    • Deesa, India Medical Project: 165 children treated

    • Bolpur, India Medical Project (January): 140 children treated

    • Bolpur, India Medical Project (October): 170 children treated

    • Brian Coghlan Memorial Fellowship: Funded Rachel Wawn, India Development Director. In two years Operation Smile India dramatically increases the funds raised in country, staffs and funds it first local medical project treating 41 children

    • Vietnam Local Medical Programmes: Provided Sustainable Development Grant

    • Jordan Local Medical Programmes: Provided Sustainable Development Grant


  • 2004

    • Kenya Medical Project (three sites): 394 children treated

    • Minsk, Belarus Medical Project: 51 children treated

    • Himachal Pradesh, India Medical Project: 128 children treated

    • Moroccan Medical Equipment Donation: Donation of patient monitors to Operation Smile Morocco to use on local projects


  • 2003

    • Marrakech, Morocco Medical Project: 165 children treated

    • Kenya Medical Projects (three sites): 487 children treated

    • Amman, Jordan Medical Project: 157 children treated

    • Brian Coghlan Memorial Fellowship: Funded Nils Mork, Kenya Country Manager. In two years Kenyan volunteers increase by 300%, in-country funding increased by 125%, Kenyan medical volunteers begin providing free treatment to children through Local Projects and Saturday Clinics


  • 2002

    • Kenya Medical Project: 500 children treated

    • Burn Surgery Fellowship (Morocco): Funded Educational Exchange Programme