Mission Reports

Venezuela

Caracas: December 12 - 12, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers will work in Caracas to change the lives of Venezuelan children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, will work alongside their Venezuelan counterparts.

The team will provide free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Patients receive surgery year-round in Venezuela during medical screening and care conducted independently by Operation Smile Venezuela through local in-country medical missions. To date, Operation Smile medical volunteers have treated more than 2,900 children and young adults through international medical missions and local in-country medical missions in Venezuela.

First international mission: 1993

International mission sites: Barinas, Caracas, Maturin, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, San Cristobal and Valencia

Local mission sites: Caracas, Maturin, Monagas, San Cristobal and Valencia

Honduras

Tegucigalpa: December 9 - 12, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Tegucigalpa to change the lives of Honduran children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Honduran counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since 1997, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 4,100 children and young adults with free physical examinations and 1,800 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions throughout Honduras.

First international mission: 1997

International mission site: Tegucigalpa and Comayagua

Local mission sites: Choluteca, Santa Rosa de Copan and Tegucigalpa

India

Guwahati: December 2 - 18, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers is working in Guwahati to change the lives of Indian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, are working alongside their Indian counterparts.

The team is providing free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since Operation Smile's first mission to India in 2002, volunteers have provided free physical examinations for more than 4,880 patients and life-changing surgery for more than 2,306 children and young adults during international medical missions in India.

First international mission: 2002

International mission sites: Bolpur, Deesa, Dharamsala, Gujarat, Guwahati, Himachal Pradesh, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Manipal, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Rajkot, Sikkim and Vijayawada

Local mission sites: Kolkata and Deesa

Peru

Puno: November 25 - 28, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Peru to change the lives of 42 Peruvian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Peruvian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 4,000 Peruvian children and young adults with free physical examinations and more than 2,000 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First international mission: 1999

International mission sites: Arequipa, Lima, Puno, Salaverry and Trujillo

Local mission sites: Arequipa, Iquitos and Trujillo

Brazil

Sanatarem-11-2009: November 23 - 28, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Sanatarem to change the lives of 61 Brazilian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Peruvian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

China

Pu'er: November 23 - 30, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in the Yunnan Province to change the lives of 63 Chinese children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Chinese counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since its first international mission in 1991, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 13,150 Chinese children suffering with facial deformities and more than 8,500 have received free reconstructive surgery.

First international mission: 1991

International mission sites: Beijing, Dehong, Dujiang-Yan, Fengkai, Foshan, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Kashgar, Kunming, Lanzhou, Liaocheng, Lin Cang, Linyi, Meizhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Quingdao, Shantou, Urumqi, Wu Han City, Xi'an, Yantai, Yunnan Province, Zhaoqing, Zhengzhou and Zhongshan

Local mission sites: Baoshan, Guangzhou, Hebei, Kunming, Lin Cang and Xi'an

Ecuador

Ambato: November 18 - 22, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Ambato to change the lives of 54 Ecuadorian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Ecuadorian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 2009

Local mission sites: Ambato, Cuenca and Libertad Esmaraldas

Egypt

Cairo: November 17 - 28, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Cairo to change the lives of 96 Egyptian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Egyptian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since Operation Smile's first mission to Egypt in 2006, medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 1,600 patients and life-changing surgery to more than 690 children and young adults during international medical missions.

First international mission: 2006

International mission sites: Alexandria, Assiut, Cairo, and Qena

Venezuela

Caracas: November 7 - 8, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Maturin to change the lives of 32 Venezuelan children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Venezuelan counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Patients receive surgery year-round in Venezuela during medical screening and care conducted independently by Operation Smile Venezuela through local in-country medical missions. To date, Operation Smile medical volunteers have treated more than 2,900 children and young adults through international medical missions and local in-country medical missions in Venezuela.

First international mission: 1993

International mission sites: Barinas, Caracas, Maturin, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, San Cristobal and Valencia

Local mission sites: Caracas, Maturin, Monagas, San Cristobal and Valencia

Colombia

Riseralda: November 5 - 8, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Santa Marta to change the lives of 37 Colombian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Colombian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since its first international mission to Colombia in 1988, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 9,500 Colombian children suffering with facial deformities and more than 6,700 have received free reconstructive surgery. Children are also treated year-round during local medical missions and at the Operation Smile Clinic in Bogota.

First international mission: 1988

International mission sites: Bogota, Buenaventura, Cali, Duitama, Ibague, and Manizales

Local mission sites: Barrancabermaja, Barranquilla, Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartegena, Caucasia, Duitama, El Bagre, Facatativa, Fusagasuga, La Dorada, La Mesa, Leticia, Mitu, Mocoa, Monteria, Neiva, Pereira, Popayan, Puerto Asis, Riohacha, Rionegro, Santa Marta, Sincelejo, Tumaco, Ubate, and Zipaquira

Paraguay

Asuncion: November 5 - 15, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Asunción to change the lives of 115 Paraguayan children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Paraguayan counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since 2005, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 1,500 Paraguayan children and young adults with free physical examinations, and more than 650 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First international mission: 2005

International mission sites: Asunción and Villa Rica

Local mission sites: Asunción

Vietnam

20th Anniversary Mission: November 4 - 16, 2009

Operation Smile Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Bringing Smiles
to Children in Vietnam With Landmark International Medical Mission

Nearly 7,000 Children Receive Free Medical and Dental Treatment –
the Largest Free Program in Operation Smile Vietnam’s 20-Year History

Norfolk, Va. – To mark 20 years of providing new smiles for children and young adults throughout Vietnam, Operation Smile, Inc. and Operation Smile Vietnam launched “20 Years of Smiles – A Journey of Miracles” from November 4-14, 2009. To highlight the diversity of programs offered, 16 simultaneous missions were conducted across the country from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, providing 1,383 medical examinations, facial reconstructive surgeries to an unprecedented 868 children and young adults and over 6,600 dental treatments.

The free programs were performed thanks to the generous donation of time and talent from more than 300 international medical volunteers from Vietnam, the U.S., the Philippines, the U.K., Canada, India, Norway, Hong Kong, China, Ireland, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Italy and Cambodia. The teams set up across the country to provide free corrective surgeries and dental treatment for nearly 7,000 Vietnamese children suffering from cleft lips, cleft palates, dental problems and other facial deformities.

The 20th Anniversary commemoration began on November 4 with a Gala Dinner in Hanoi at the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake which was attended by Smile Ambassador Jackie Chan, officials of the government of Vietnam, Operation Smile Vietnam sponsors and donors, and team members from around the world. To mark the historic significance of the 20-year partnership and the enduring commitment to helping the children of Vietnam, Operation Smile Co-founders, Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee, and Mr. Chan received the National Medal for Peace and Friendship Among Nations award from the Vietnamese government. The evening also included special appearances by Operation Smile Vietnam’s Youth Ambassador Mai Phuong Thuy (Miss Vietnam 2006), and singers My Tam and Dam Vinh Hung.

On November 6, free medical and dental screenings began, and was followed by one week of surgical and dental treatments. "Congratulations to Operation Smile on successfully completing surgery and dental treatment for so many children,” said Mr. Chan after observing the first surgical procedure of during his visit to the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in Hanoi. “I have experienced very personally how this surgery is life-changing and I am honored to have been a part of this program with you."

Operation Smile captured the many stories of patients, medical volunteers, students and staff during this historic event through daily blogs, videos and photographs. One child, 10-month old Khiem, traveled with his parents from their home outside of Hai Phong with the hope of receiving a life-changing surgery. You can see a photo essay of his journey, as well as a complete perspective of “A Journey of Miracles” by visiting www.operationsmile.org/vietnam.

“Over the past 10 days, we have celebrated the long path our organization has traveled and the history of our successful partnership in Vietnam,” said Dr. Magee. “This journey of miracles and the outpouring of support and effort of everyone involved, has reminded Kathy and I of the ripple effect our work can have on individuals, families, communities and whole nations and how so much can be accomplished through the face of a child.”

“A Journey of Miracles” concluded on November 14 in Ho Chi Minh City with a Smile Festival and Thank You Concert at Le Van Tan Park attended by key officials, sponsors and team members.

Operation Smile Vietnam Board Chairman Kenneth Atkinson also commented about the significance of the 20th anniversary milestone, saying, “Operation Smile Vietnam has become a well-known organization with a reputation for credibility and building sustainability. We are grateful to our sponsors, our volunteers and our staff for their tireless work and continued commitment to making a difference. We look forward to the next 20 years of helping children smile throughout Vietnam.”

Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.-based Operation Smile was launched 27 years ago by Dr. Bill Magee, a plastic surgeon, and his wife Kathy Magee, a former nurse and clinical social worker, to help children with devastating facial deformities. Today, Operation Smile has a presence in over 50 countries.

Operation Smile’s history with Vietnam began in 1988 when General John W. Vessey (Ret.) invited Operation Smile to send a medical education team to Vietnam as part of the MIA/POW initiatives. In a quest to help normalize U.S./Vietnam relations, Operation Smile sent a team of 38 medical volunteers to Hanoi in February 1989. The team included seven Vietnam War veterans and comprised the largest group of Americans to enter Vietnam since the War’s end in 1975. The team of American and Vietnamese surgeons worked together to repair the cleft lips and palates of 100 Vietnamese children.

According to Dr. Magee, “When we first went into Vietnam in 1989 we did so because we believed that children are the only language we all have in common. Twenty years later, in Vietnam and in all of our partner countries around the world, we still believe that uniting people across cultures and borders for the sake of a child in need is what helps us heal the wounds of the past. We are proud of what we have accomplished together and extend our best wishes to our friends in Vietnam as they launch a new era of programs to care for more Vietnamese children every year.” Plans for this historic medical mission had been underway for more than a year and was made possible by generous donations from sponsors in Vietnam including: Mobifone, Unilever, HSBC, and Manulife, and in the U.S. by generous foundations, corporations and families. “20 Years of Smiles – A Journey of Miracles” was supported by the Vietnamese government, the Ministry of Health and the U.S. Embassy.

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Binh Phuoc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

Nicaragua

Matagalpa-11-2009: November 4 - 7, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Matagalpa to change the lives of 12 Nicaraguan children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Nicaraguan counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since 1993, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 4,300 Nicaraguan children with free physical examinations and more than 2,100 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First international mission: 1993

International mission sites: Chinandega, Ganada, Managua and Matagalpa

Local mission sites: La Mascota and Managua

Jordan

Karak: November 3 - 7, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Aqaba to change the lives of 30 Jordanian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Jordanian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since its first international mission to Jordan in 2000, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 4,150 Jordanian, Iraqi and Palestinian children, suffering with facial deformities. More than 1,950 Jordanian, Iraqi, Palestinian children have received free reconstructive surgery.

First international mission: 2000

International mission sites: Amman, Ma'an, Aqaba and Irbid

Local mission sites: Amman, Irbid and Petra

Thailand

Surin: November 2 - 6, 2009

Today is the second surgery day and we have got things down to a pretty smooth system. Yesterday was a bit busy as is any first day of surgery, while we all figured the systems and how to intergrate them most efficiently. The hospital here is very developed and very large so they also have their own standards, which we have had to learn. Fortunately, the hospital staff is very supportive and has supplied many of their own nurses to work alongside us to help make all of this work.

We are also probably going to finish a day early for surgery week - the Thai team prefers working a fuller schedule and leaving a day early and the international team has all said that they were comfortable with this. They are not leaving any patients behind - all of the patients from the area that were screened and are eligible for surgery will be treated, approximately 90 patients. The whole team feels pretty good about this.

I was talking to Dr. Apichai, the medical director, and he was explaining to me that in the Surin Public Hospital, where we are working, they have a General Plastic Surgeon who already actually has taken care of many of the local cleft patients. This is why about only 50 percent of our patients are clefts. Since he is leaving at the end of this year though, we are helping to give surgery to the rest of the backlog especially because there will not be a plastic surgeon here for a few years.

- Lucas Carlson, Operation Smile Program Coordinator

Since 1997, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 3,350 Thai children with free physical examinations and more than 2,000 have received life-changing surgery during medical missions.

First international mission: 1997

International mission sites: Bangkok, Lampang, Mae Sot, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Yasothon, Sakew, and Surin

Local mission sites: Amnartcharoen, Chonburi, Chonpratan, Kanchanaburi, Nakornsithamarat, Nan, Nontharburi, Phitsanulok, Srisaket, Surin, and Ubon

China

Fengkai:

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Fengkai to change the lives of 171 Chinese children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Chinese counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since its first international mission in 1991, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 13,150 Chinese children suffering with facial deformities and more than 8,500 have received free reconstructive surgery.

First international mission: 1991

International mission sites: Beijing, Dehong, Dujiang-Yan, Fengkai, Foshan, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Kashgar, Kunming, Lanzhou, Liaocheng, Linyi, Lin Cang, Meizhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Quingdao, Shantou, Urumqi, Wu Han City, Xi'an, Yantai, Zhaoqing, Zhengzhou, and Zhongshan

Local mission sites: Baoshan, Guangzhou, Hebei, Kunming, Lin Cang, and Xi'an

Philippines

Makati: October 26 - 30, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Makati City to change the lives of 89 Filipino children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Filipino counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since 1982, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 19,000 Filipino children and young adults with free medical evaluations, and more than 14,000 have received life-changing surgery during medical missions.

First international mission: 1982

International mission sites: Angel City, Bacolod City, Baguio, Cavite, Cebu City, Davao City, Iligan, Kalibo, Legaspi City, Lucena, Makati, Manila, Mindanao, Naga City, Negros Occidental, Pampanga, Quezon City; and emergency medical training at Mt. Makiling and Laguna

Local mission sites: Batangas, Butuan City, Cabanatuan City, Dapitan City, Jagna, La Trinidad City Makati, Mamburao, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Naga City, Pasay City, Quezon City, San Jose, Sto. Thomas Batangas and Tarlac City

Madagascar

Antananarivo:

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Antananarivo to change the lives of 176 Malagasy children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Malagasy counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since 2007, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided 1,040 Malagasy children and young adults with free physical examinations and more than 510 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First medical mission: 2007

International mission sites: Antananarivo, Antsirabe and Tamatave

Peru

Lima: October 22 - 31, 2009

It is our pleasure to announce the successful completion of the international mission that took place in Lima, Peru, from October 22–30 at Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión.

The team was composed with volunteers from Brazil, Paraguay, Italy, Ireland, United States and largely by our Peruvian colleagues. During the two days of screening, 170 patients received a full medical evaluation and 145 procedures were performed for 116 patients over the surgical week.

The team demonstrated an unconditional flexibility and good spirits throughout the entire mission, which was a key component to making this mission a great success. From the beginning the team worked with an incredible synergy and made the flow of the mission not only smooth but extremely efficient.

On this mission, we met John Jairo and Renzo Jair Purizaca Calderon, twins who were both born with cleft lip and palate. John Jairo and Renzo were born in Piura, in the northern coast of Peru, in the desert of Sechura.

Because their father is a fisherman, the family is very poor. Their dad made many sacrifices and worked very hard to be able to bring his babies and wife to Lima. The family arrived in Lima one day before screening. At first, Renzo was on standby because he had a slight fever. His twin brother, John Jairo was selected for surgery as soon as the schedule was made. Their father and mother were happy of course, but sad at the same time for their other little son.

Fortunately, with treatment from the Operation Smile doctors and nurses, Renzo got better and was strong enough to receive surgery! That week, the twins both received surgery and a new chance at life. They stayed with us in the hospital all week; they had no family in Lima so we all became their family. They came back for post-op and both boys are recovering beautifully and doing great.

We would like to take this opportunity and thank the Operation Smile Peru team and congratulate them for accomplishing the high level of organization needed to provide comprehensive quality care for patients with cleft lips and palates. Thanks to each of one of you who made this mission possible!

Warm regards,

Lizet Campos and Ana Power

Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 6,000 Peruvian children and young adults with free physical examinations and more than 2,500 have received life-changing surgery during international and local medical missions.

First international mission: 1999

International mission sites: Arequipa, Lima, Salaverry and Trujillo

Local mission sites: Arequipa, Iquitos, Cusco, Trujillo and Puno

China

Xuanwei: October 21 - 28, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Xuanwei to change the lives of 38 Chinese children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Chinese counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1991

International mission sites: Beijing, Dujiang-Yan, Foshan, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Kashgar, Kunming, Lanzhou, Liaocheng, Linyi, Meizhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Quingdao, Shantou, Urumqi, Wu Han City, Xi'an, Xuanwei, Yantai, Zhaoqing, Zhengzhou and Zhongshan

Local mission sites: Baoshan, Guangzhou, Hebei, Kunming, Lin Cang and Xi'an

Colombia

Cali: October 15 - 18, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Cali to change the lives of Colombian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others,worked alongside their Colombian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1988

International mission sites: Bogota, Buenaventura, Cali, Duitama, Ibague and Manizales

Ethiopia

Jimma: October 15 - 24, 2009

On behalf of Operation Smile Ethiopia and Operation Smile Inc., it is with great pleasure that we inform you about our recent mission to Jimma, Ethiopia. We had a phenomenal team made up of 33 volunteers from nine different countries including Canada, Russia, Kenya, United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia, Israel, and the Netherlands, and others from 12 different U.S. States.

During our mission at the Jimma University Specialized Hospital, 78 patients were given a full medical evaluation, 65 of whom received a life-changing surgery. And out of the 65 patients who received surgery over 75% of them were given a primary lip repair!

Among those who received surgery were a group of people from the far east region of Ethiopia on the border of Somalia, almost 2,000 km away. Two mothers came each bringing a child—a 6-year-old girl with a cleft lip, and a 3-year-old boy with a cleft palate. The little girl, Nedira, is one of 12 children, she being the only one born with a cleft palate.

The mothers were able to make the long journey to bring their children to Jimma thanks to the help of Médecins Sans Frontiѐres who provided their transportation to the site. Upon arrival in Jimma, one of the university students who also happened to be from the Somalia region, not only took these women and children whom he did not know into his home, but he also came with them every day to the hospital to serve as their translator -- quite a remarkable gesture!

The mothers were so pleased that they could be heard singing songs during the evenings in the post-operative ward. We also had an adorable father/son duo who received surgery during the mission.

Again we were fortunate to have a superb team in Jimma who worked extremely hard to make the mission a success. In fact, I would say that our group was more than a team, we were a family!

Thank you to everyone for your support to make this mission possible, and for giving our “family” the opportunity to serve those of Jimma.

- Dany Meles and Shannon Mintz

Since 2005, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 1,408 Ethiopian children with free medical evaluations and more than 894 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First international mission: 2005

International mission sites: Addis Ababa, Axum, Jimma and Mekele

China

Yantai: October 14 - 21, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Yantai to change the lives of Chinese children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others,worked alongside their Chinese counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1991

Local mission sites: Baoshan, Guangzhou, Hebei, Kunming, Lin Cang and Xi'an

India

Gangtok: October 8 - 16, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Gangtok to change the lives of Indian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Indian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 2002

International mission sites: Bolpur, Deesa, Dharamsala, Gangtok, Gujarat, Guwahati, Himachal Pradesh, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Manipal, Rajasthan, Rajkot, Sikkim and Vijayawada

Local mission sites: Kolkata and Deesa

Kenya

Nyeri: October 8 - 17, 2009

We are honored to write of the successful completion of the Operation Smile local mission to Nyeri, Kenya, which took place from Oct. 8-17 at Provincial General Hospital (PGH). Working with a team comprised of volunteers from seven sites across Kenya, USA, Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom, and Nyeri; the mission provided 229 patients with a full medical evaluation and 118 patients with free reconstructive surgery.

There are many individuals who dedicated their time and energy to ensure the success of this mission and cannot be thanked enough. Nyeri’s Site Committee, led by Dr. Macharia Kiruhi, not only contributed their support but their preparation before the mission to recruit patients, collaborate with the local community and PGH, and plan for an unforgettable experience for the team made this mission a success.

Also deserving our thanks was our host, Provincial General Hospital, led by Dr. Ngugi who worked with Operation Smile for the third time, to provide a supportive and positive environment for the team. Not only did the hospital donate use of their wards, space, and supplies but countless employees volunteered their time to assisting with the mission and sharing in the team’s work.

A visit by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Medical Services, Professor Ole Kiyiapi is a testament that the Kenyan Government recognizes the key complementary role that Operation Smile plays in providing quality health care not only to Kenyan children but also children across the region.

The team was also privileged to host two representatives Jill Rehder and Angie Devlin from Biogel, Mölnlycke Health Care. Their company, a long-time Operation Smile partner, has generously sponsored all surgical missions in the Central Region for 2009 with in-kind donations. Every year, Mölnlycke Health Care selects two employees to attend an Operation Smile mission to participate in all aspects of the experience as a team member. The Nyeri team welcomed Jill and Angie and their energy and passion for service which put both the children and families at greater ease.

Several patients traveled from very far to seek Operation Smile’s help. Nawasa Lairumbe, a 14-year-old girl, traveled with her father from Tanzania. At first, quiet and quick to avert her eyes from strangers it was apparent her life had been severely affected by her broken smile. However, upon seeing pictures of herself and her proud father she began to smile and pose with a newfound confidence. Seeing this transformation take place, over a short couple days, was an incredible experience for everyone involved.

And thank you to the amazing volunteers without who no mission would be possible. Each volunteer contributed their time and skills to bring hope to the patients in Nyeri and truly touched those around them.

Finally - this mission would not be possible without the hard work of the Operation Smile Mission in Kenya (OSMIK) Board, led by Yolanda Andersen, which has led the foundation to bring to close the year with three successful missions.

Thank you for all your support,

Joella Adams, Diana Gathiga and OSMIK team

Bolivia

Santa Cruz: October 7 - 17, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Santa Cruz to change the lives of Bolivian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Bolivian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 2009

International mission sites: Santa Cruz

Mexico

Guadalajara: October 6 - 7, 2009

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since 2006, medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 570 children and 340 received free reconstructive surgery.

First international mission: 2006

International mission sites: Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta

Local mission site: Guadalajara

Colombia

20th Anniversary Mission - Colombia:

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked throughout Colombia to change children's lives as well as celebrate 20 years of medical mission work in the country.

The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Colombian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1988

International mission sites: Bogota, Buenaventura, Cali, Duitama, Ibague and Manizales

Peru

Iquitos: September 22 - 27, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Iquitos to change the lives of Peruvian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others,worked alongside their Peruvian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1999

International mission sites: Arequipa, Iquitos, Lima, Salaverry and Trujillo

Local mission sites: Arequipa, Iquitos and Trujillo

Mexico

Guadalajara: September 17 - 25, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Guadalajara to change the lives of Mexican children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others,worked alongside their Mexican counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since 2006, medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 570 children and 340 received free reconstructive surgery.

First international mission: 2006

International mission sites: Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta

Local mission site: Guadalajara

India

Rajasthan: September 16 - 24, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Rajasthan to change the lives of Indian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Indian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for 113 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 2002

International mission sites: Bolpur, Deesa, Dharamsala, Gujarat, Guwahati, Himachal Pradesh, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Manipal, Rajasthan, Rajkot and Vijayawada

Local mission sites: Kolkata and Deesa

Thailand

Yasothon: September 14 - 20, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Yasothon to change the lives of Thai children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others,worked alongside their Thai counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1997

International mission sites: Bangkok, Lampang, Mae Sot, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Yasothon, Surin

Local mission sites: Amnartcharoen, Chonburi, Chonpratan, Kanchanaburi, Nakornsithamarat, Nan, Nontharburi, Phitsanulok, Srisaket, Surin, Ubon

Uzbekistan

Tashkent: September 6 - 16, 2009

We are happy to announce the completion of the first Operation Smile Mission in Uzbekistan. The Uzbekistan-Singapore Friendship Mission was held in Tashkent from September 9-15. The team of 40 volunteers – 30 international and 10 local - performed free life-changing surgery for 80 children and provided medical evaluation for 131 in six days. The patients came from Tashkent City and nearby towns and villages.

The international team, led by Singapore, was represented by seven other countries, including Indonesia, Philippines, Russia, Indonesia, UK and USA. The mission was organized by Operation Smile Singapore, in partnership with the Tashkent Pediatric Medical Institute.

The Uzbek local team were gracious and helped us integrate in their community and in sharing their unique melting pot of cultures from the East and the West. The Ministry of Health, Republic of Uzbekistan, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Operation Smile Singapore for a long-term cooperation.

We had 10 fantastic translators – students from MDIS Tashkent (a management college). They were full of positive energy and became not only translators but helped with transporting patients, and even became our friends and tour guides!

Cindy Tepper, our child life specialist, had a very special encounter with one boy.

This is her story:

“During our week in Tashkent, there was one 5-year-old boy whose hospital bed was situated just outside the doors of the operating theatre (room), and across from the pre-op playroom. This boy's cleft palate repair was not scheduled until Saturday.

Throughout Thursday and Friday, this boy became well acquainted with the Operation Smile staff and was very talkative with all of the volunteers. The boy's surgery was Saturday morning, and everything went smoothly. By Saturday afternoon, the boy was already back to his bed and ready to play. Although he was well, he did not speak.

His mother was becoming frustrated with him, as his roommates with cleft palates were speaking and ready to be discharged. Several volunteers interacted with the boy in attempts to help him speak again, but he refused.

He appeared happy, using hand motions, high-fives, and plenty of hugs... but his voice was nowhere to be found.

Finally, on Monday afternoon, I went into the boy's room, and tried to coax him once more to speak. The boy's mother spoke broken English, and was able to translate to her son how much I wanted to hear his voice before it was time for him to go.

He broke into a huge smile, and loudly spoke my name. The mother was overjoyed, and the boy immediately went into the hallway, and began chatting with another little boy. The boy returned to his home not only with a repaired palate, but with his restored confidence as well.”

Our experience in Uzbekistan has truly been enriching and fulfilling and we are very grateful to the Uzbek team for their hospitality and sharing their lives with us. We look forward to returning next year with hopes of creating more smiles.

Best regards,

Rachel Woon
Program Coordinator
Operation Smile Singapore

First international mission: 2009

International mission sites: Tashkent

Nicaragua

Granada-09-2009: September 2 - 5, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Granada to change the lives of Nicaraguan children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Nicaraguan counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since 1993, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 4,300 Nicaraguan children with free physical examinations and more than 2,100 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First international mission: 1993

International mission sites: Chinandega, Managua and Granada

Local mission sites: Esteli, Matagalpa, Granada and Managua

Brazil

Fortaleza: September 1 - 8, 2009

On behalf of Operation Smile Brazil and Operation Smile, Inc., it is with great pleasure that we inform you about our recent mission to Fortaleza, Brazil. Our amazing team was made up of volunteers from eight different countries including, but not limited to, Russia, Paraguay, Ecuador and South Africa, and others from nine different U.S. states and five different states within Brazil.

During our time in Fortaleza our team of volunteers provided Basic Life Support (BLS) training to 30 participants, screened 176 patients, and gave new smiles to 110 patients!

Among the 110 patients operated, was a 3-year-old little boy named Arthur with a bilateral cleft lip who was also born without hands or feet.

Arthur quickly stole our team members’ hearts as he ran around the hospital spreading his smile and his everlasting energy. So, you can imagine our heartbreak when Arthur did not return to the hospital to receive his surgery.

Well, our team was determined to give Arthur a new smile no matter what it took! Arthur’s family did not have a phone, so calls were made to anyone and everyone in his town so we could track him down and bring him to the hospital.

Neighbors were called, the town’s priest was called, and eventually even the town’s mayor was contacted. The mayor was not only able to locate Arthur, but he provided transportation for him and his family to come to the hospital so Arthur could receive surgery at no cost.

I think Arthur’s story is a good example of what can be accomplished when you combine a “can do” attitude, a little teamwork, and a lot of passion for the work you are doing.

This mission would not have been successful without the support from the staff at the Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin, who have been conducting missions with Operation Smile for the past 12 years, our dedicated volunteers, and so many others who contributed in many different ways to make this mission possible. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Shannon Mintz and Mateus Matos

First international mission: 1997

International mission sites: Belem, Belo Horizonte, Cuiaba, Fortaleza, Goiania, Maceio, Natal, Rio de Janeiro and Santarem

Local mission sites: Barbalha, Belem, Joinville and Natal

Thailand

Sakew: September 1 - 1, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Sakew to change the lives of Thai children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Thai counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1997

International mission sites: Bangkok, Lampang, Mae Sot, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Yasothon, Sakew and Surin

Local mission sites: Amnartcharoen, Chonburi, Chonpratan, Kanchanaburi, Nakornsithamarat, Nan, Nontharburi, Phitsanulok, Srisaket, Surin and Ubon

Philippines

Angel City: September 1 - 1, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Angel City to change the lives of Filipino children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Filipino counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1982

International mission sites: Angel City, Bacolod City, Baguio, Cavite, Cebu City, Davao City, Iligan, Kalibo, Legaspi City, Lucena, Manila, Mindanao, Naga City, Negros Occidental, PampangaQuezon City; and emergency medical training at Mt. Makiling and Laguna

Cambodia

Kampot:

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Kampot to change the lives of Cambodian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Cambodian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for 118 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 3,310 Cambodian children with free physical examinations and more than 1,510 have received life-changing surgery.

First medical mission: 2002

International mission sites: Battambang, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Kampot and Sihanoukville

Local mission sites: Phnom Penh

Philippines

Pampanga: August 27 - 30, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Pampanga to change the lives of Filipino children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Filipino counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1982

International mission sites: Bacolod City, Baguio, Cavite, Cebu City, Davao City, Iligan, Kalibo, Legaspi City, Lucena, Manila, Mindanao, Naga City, Negros Occidental, Pampanga, Quezon City; and emergency medical training at Mt. Makiling and Laguna

India

Gujarat: August 20 - 28, 2009

Dear Friends at Operation Smile,

It is with great honor that I announce the completion of Operation Smile India’s mission to Bhavnagar in the state of Gujarat. Volunteers from India, the Philippines, Russia, Ecuador, Canada, Israel and the United States came together to provide new smiles for 53 patients – 47 of whom returned for post-op! It was truly inspiring to see this group come together to change so many lives.

One patient in particular was sure to bring a smile to all of our faces. Rakesh was born with a facial cleft, much more than just a cleft lip. Despite his disfiguring condition that even other patients noticed as different, Rakesh was full of a bright spirit and a brave heart.

After his surgery, his parents joined him in the recovery room, their tears of joy acknowledging the different life their son would now have. When the surgeon walked in, Rakesh’s mother leaned over to touch his feet, a true sign of respect and gratitude. It was an amazingly touching moment for the entire team. The pictures attached are of Rakesh before his surgery and then after his surgery, looking at his own before and after pictures.

We would like to thank the volunteers for their tireless work, as well as the immense support from Operation Smile India and Operation Smile International. It was only with the teamwork involved that we were able to accomplish what we did.

Wishing you all the best,
Allison and Rohan

First international mission: 2002

International mission sites: Bolpur, Deesa, Dharamsala, Gujarat, Guwahati, Himachal Pradesh, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Manipal, Rajkot and Vijayawada

Local mission sites: Kolkata and Deesa

Colombia

Choco: August 20 - 23, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Choco to change the lives of Colombian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Colombian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for 40 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1988

International mission sites: Bogota, Buenaventura, Cali, Duitama, Ibague, Manizales

Local mission sites: Barrancabermaja, Barranquilla, Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartegena, Caucasia, Duitama, El Bagre, Facatativa, Fusagasuga, La Dorada, La Mesa, Leticia, Mitu, Mocoa, Monteria, Neiva, Pereira, Puerto Asis, Riohacha, Rionegro, Santamarta, Sincelejo, Ubate, Zipaquira

Honduras

Santa-Rosa-de-Copan: August 19 - 23, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Santa Rosa de Copan to change the lives of Honduran children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Honduran counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for 31 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1997

International mission site: Tegucigalpa

Local mission sites: Choluteca, Santa Rosa de Copan

South Africa

Mpumalanga: August 17 - 23, 2009

Greetings Operation Smile Family!

It is with great pleasure that I inform you of the very successful mission that Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA) completed at Rob Ferreira Hospital, in Nelspruit, South Africa.

It is our third surgical mission to South Africa and a multi-disciplinary team of 35 volunteers, 90 percent of them from South Africa as well as others from Kenya, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and the USA, worked for five days to screen 52 patients and provide free, life-changing surgical care for 31 children and adults.

The patients for this surgical mission were not just from within the Mpumalanga Province but some also traveled from the Limpopo Province and six patients came from Swaziland.

OSSA worked very closely with not just the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health, but also the Swaziland Ministry of Health and the South African Department of Health in order to obtain special permission for these patients to travel across borders and receive life-changing surgery.

In addition to the 31 patients who were provided free surgery during the mission, 10 others who were not candidates for the mission, were referred to either Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban with Professor Anil Madaree (OSSA Medical Director) or Pretoria Academic Hospital in Pretoria with Professor Piet Coetzee. These patients will be provided with the necessary medical care and support from these hospitals and medical professionals!

The success of the mission can be attributed to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of many parties including our provincial hosts and volunteers, our year round South African financial and in-kind partners and our medical and non medical team members, the South African and Swaziland Ministries of Health, the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health (DoH), provincial health care and community development workers and Rob Ferreira Hospital in Nelspruit.

The outstanding staff of Rob Ferreira Hospital provided the perfect atmosphere for the entire team to feel welcome in Mpumalanga, as both groups worked toward a common goal of helping children and adults suffering from clefts. The cohesive partnership between the Mpumalanga Department of Health, Rob Ferreira Hospital and the Operation Smile team was instrumental to the success of the mission.

ACTS Clinic provided the accommodation for patients and family members who were not staying at Rob Ferreira Hospital. It was a home away from home for these patients and everyone was welcomed with open arms!

The one week post-op proved to be extremely positive as all 31 of the patients returned and looked fantastic, all with big new smiles. Patients were told of OSSA’s plans to return in February 2010 to Nelspruit and Swaziland for the six month assessment to determine what follow up care is needed for the patients. Coinciding with this assessment OSSA will conduct another pre-screening to assess what the need is for our services in the province, and how we can assist these patients by also providing free surgery to those children and adults that the team was unable to assist during this mission.

In the end, the combination of experience and effort by the Operational Smile team, the commitment of the Mpumalanga Department of Health, community members and national and local businesses, and the generosity and hospitality of Rob Ferreira Hospital made for an incredibly successful mission during which we were able to change the lives of many children and adults, and that of their families, forever. Operation Smile South Africa looks forward to many more successful programs within the province by working together to create long term sustainability through capacity building and collaborations.

A huge thank you to everyone from Operation Smile, Inc., and all other foundations for continual support and also a good luck and congratulations for our other missions taking place!

Regards,

Tamlin Grier
Program Coordinator Operation Smile South Africa
OSSA Team

Since the organization’s first international mission to South Africa in 2006, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to 209 South African children suffering with facial deformities and 149 have received free reconstructive surgery.

First international mission: 2006

International mission sites: Empangeni and Mpumalanga

Local mission sites: Durban and Mt. Frere

China

Nanyang: August 13 - 18, 2009

It’s with great pleasure that I announce the successful completion of two simultaneous international missions in China at Nanyang and Nanchang. This was originally conceived as an international mission at Liaocheng, but due to several concerns, we split the team into two sites and coordinate two simultaneous missions. Operation Smile China and the Asia Regional Office did a fantastic job of working out these alternative mission sites in a very short period of time, hence allowing us to fulfill our promise to the people of China.

Volunteers from seven countries took part in these missions. The mission at Nanyang was conceived as an India-China partnership mission, and it saw active participation from volunteers of both these countries. Apart from this, several volunteers from the U.S., Vietnam, Philippines, Russia and Peru participated in this week-long mission.

Overcoming the challenges we faced as a team, we were able to change the lives of 136 Chinese children and their families over one week and provide full fledged medical evaluations to 210 children. In doing so, we have created a hope amongst the children of these areas.

I thank the entire Operation Smile team, the Asia regional office, Operation Smile China Medical Mission, the other foundations involved, and Nanyang Stomatology Hospital and Jiangxi Guangji Hospital for their help in making this a successful mission.

With regards,

Tim Jorgenson, Program Coordinator, Asia Region
Abhishek Sengupta, Regional Coordinator, Operation Smile India

First international mission: 1991

International mission sites: Beijing, Dujiang-Yan, Foshan, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Kunming, Lanzhou, Linyi, Meizhou, Nanchang, Nanyang, Nanjing, Quingdao, Shantou, Urumqi, Wu Han City, Xi'an, Zhaoqing, Zhengzhou, Zhongshan

Local mission sites: Baoshan, Guangzhou, Hebei, Kunming, Lincang, Xi'an

China

Nanchang: August 13 - 18, 2009

Blogger: Jeff Gora
Read about Operation Smile's mission to China as Jeff blogs from the mission field. The team will travel to two different sites: Nanyang and Nanchang.

Jeff's Blog: China Smiles
Follow Jeff on Twitter

Jeff's Previous Missions:

Asuncion, Paraguay '08
Gudalajara, Mexico '06
Harbin, China '05
Zhongshan, China '03
Lanzhou, China '01
Cali, Colombia '99
Iligan City, The Philippines '96

Tuesday, Aug. 18: Final Thoughts from Nanchang
and Why We Need Your Help

Dear Friends of Operation Smile,

This is our last posting from our 2009 Mission to Nanchang China. We have had a wonderful and safe mission, and this has been an incredible opportunity for our Operation Smile team and the children and families of Nanchang.

I am so honored and thankful for having the opportunity to serve on this team, and to bring the sights, stories, sounds, and feelings from the mission to you as best as I could. I appreciate your support and comments all along the way!

Although I have done blogs on previous missions, this was the first one in which I incorporated audio, video and some social networking sites. I would really appreciate if you could take a moment to leave a comment on this blog to share your thoughts and feelings about the mission, your ideas, or your feedback on the technology. It will help me learn how to do this even better in the future.

Finally, on behalf of all the children of Operation Smile, in China and all over the world, I would like to ask for your help. If you were moved by what you experienced here in Nanchang, I ask you to consider helping Operation Smile do more of this kind of work by making an online donation and visit Operation Smile at this link. Your help will allow us to help more kids like Qian Yu who get turned away on every mission, despite our efforts.

Dr. Bill Magee, co-founder of Operation Smile, has often said that in life, there are no ordinary moments. And that some of the most significant times of our lives happen as a result of events that at first, seem to be very insignificant.

According to my website report, there are 463 of you out there following along on the mission to Nanchang with several hundred more following the Twitter feed. You come from 15 countries: China, Australia, the Philippines, Canada, Vietnam, India, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Guatemala, Japan, Italy, Hong Kong and the United States.

So, our community has grown and in fact, this has been no ordinary moment. Please take this chance to help Operation Smile truly change lives around the world ... one smile at a time.

Thanks for following our team, and thanks for your help! All the best, and see you on another mission. :)

Peace,

Jeff

Tuesday, Aug. 18: Last Day of Post-Op :)

Hello Friends of Operation Smile!

The last day of our mission has arrived, and all the patients have ben discharged from the hospital, on their way back to their homes and villages, far and near. All told, the team provided surgery for almost 50 children over three surgical days on our mission to Nanchang, while our teammates at our second site in Nanyang had similar successes.

The last day of post-op is always bittersweet for me. It is great to see the children going home to their families, in many cases to begin their new lives with their new smiles and inner confidence. For the babies, we know they will have better chances of feeding and growing along a more healthy pace as their cleft lips and palates begin to heal. For the children that we couldn't help, like my friend Qian Yu, there is the hope and the promise of another chance on another day on a future mission. Also, we have made new friendships with our Chinese hosts, as well as international volunteers from the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Hong Kong and Australia.

The opportunity to work hand in hand with this international community is an honor, and a privilege which we do not take lightly. It's a firsthand chance to really see that people are people all over the world, and a lesson in cooperation and understanding that we all take with us for the rest of our lives. We have learned as much from our Chinese counterparts as we have hoped to teach. In a short period of time, we have developed a mutual trust with our new friends in Nanchang.

And so, for these reasons, the last day of post-op is a wonderful capstone to an incredible Operation Smile experience. Yet, the last day also signifies that our work here has come to an end for now. And soon, the team that formed so quickly will soon be going back to their own lives as well. I have written many times in the past that the last day of a mission feels like the end of a wonderful summer camp. We want to go home and see our friends and families, but it feels like we don't just yet want to leave either...

Dr. Bill Magee, co-founder of Operation Smile, has often said that no greater bonds of friendship are forged than in the service of others. And when Operation Smile volunteers come together in the name of helping a child, these bonds are formed for life. On this mission, I was fortunate to be able to meet up with several friends I met on previous missions to China, some as long as 8 years ago. Yet, we were like old friends again... It's just another thing that keeps me coming back year after year.

So, enjoy these scenes from our last day in Nanchang. The team has some free time in Beijing coming up, and I will be posting one more update, so please stay tuned!

Thanks and all the best,

Jeff

Sunday, Aug. 16: The Story of Qian Yu

Good morning from China,

I wanted to share a story with you about a three-year old girl named Qian Yu. I met Qian Yu and her grandmother just as we were finishing up screening and had already finalized our operating room schedule. Qian Yu is a beautiful but shy little girl with big brown eyes and a smile that melts your heart. In Qian Yu, my mind's eye saw my own daughter as she looked just a few years ago.

But deep within her eyes and the eyes of her grandmother was a sadness that you could almost feel when you started talking with them. Qian Yu's mouth has been deformed by some type of past infection or burn when she was younger, an injury that likely went untreated at the time. Now that she is 3 years old, she has lost much of her lower lip and some of the function of her mouth.

Qian Yu's grandmother turned to Operation Smile and traveled 2 hours to Nanchang because she had no where else to go. You see, because of her deformity, the child's parents came to the decision that they could no longer raise her. Thankfully, her grandmother stepped in to care for this beautiful girl.

But like so many of the families we speak with, her grandmother told stories of how she had tried to send Qian Yu to the local school, only to find out the other children would not accept her and made fun of her for the way she looked. The school officials told her to come back another time.

And so I met Qian Yu and her grandmother, and their story began to unfold. For many reasons, including our available time and resources this mission, we were not able to help Qian Yu this time around. This is one of the most difficult parts of any Operation Smile mission: knowing that no matter how hard you try, there will be some kids who get turned away.

Having this conversation was a very emotional time for me as I wondered what effect this decision might have on Qian Yu's life: how she would develop; whether she would be educated; and all the related questions. I thought about how unfair life can be to the most vulnerable among us. It also reinforces how blessed we are really are when it comes to access to healthcare for our own children.

Just as I was beginning to end my conversation with Qian Yu and her grandmother, feeling about as sad as you can be, her grandmother said Qian Yu wanted to take a picture with me. She explained that everyone here with Operation Smile was so kind to her and her granddaughter, that they wanted to remember this day for her whole life.

So, we took the picture and I printed out a copy for the family. On the back of the picture, I wrote "Operation Smile, Nanchang, 2009. We will always remember you. :)" I asked the grandmother to take extra special care of Qian Yu, and with many smiles on their part and tears on mine, they left the hospital.

I saw the family again the next day, unable to come to terms with leaving the hospital yet, Qian Yu still in her little red dress, holding the teddy bear that I gave her in one hand, and clutching the picture we took in a small plastic bag in the other. We smiled, and she waved, and I cried.

It's the kids like Qian Yu that keep Operation Smile volunteers coming back year after year. For even though we can help many children each mission, there are more that we cannot. When you support Operation Smile through your donations of time, talent or treasure, you are helping us take care of more children each year, so that kids like Qian Yu do not get turned away.

So, for me, Nanchang will for ever be remembered by Qian Yu, my three-yer old little sweetheart.

Jeff

Saturday, Aug. 15: Post-Op

Friday, Aug. 14: Stories from the the first day of surgery

Good morning from Nanchang!

Today (Friday) was our first official day of surgery. Fifteen children were on the OR list for today. These kids had correctable facial deformities like cleft lip and cleft palate. We have three operating rooms going at once on this mission, with a team of surgeons, anesthesiologists and OR nurses in each suite. It was a smooth and safe day today, and all the kids look great!

As the children are for surgery, they have a chance to spend some time in our pre-op playroom. Here, they are able to get ready for surgery, and also spend some one-on-one time with our child life therapist, making sure they know what to expect when they see the nurses and doctors. This opportunity for play therapy helps to reduce any anxiety the children may have before surgery.

Watch a video of the pre-op playroom here.

In most cases, cleft lip or cleft palate surgery lasts from 1 to 2 hours. When done, kids are taken to our recovery room to wake up from anesthesia, and then later to the post-op floor in the hospital where they will spend 1-2 nights before going home. More about this later.

For now, enjoy some images from the start of our first surgical day in Nanchang.

We awoke this morning to find our screening day covered in the local newspaper on the front page, prominently featuring Keith, our pediatrician, and Henry, our pediatric intenisivist. You will also see the sign below informing families when to return for surgery that we post in the lobby of the hospital.

Thank you for supporting Operation Smile by following the team on this mission!

I would like to send a big hello back to out friends and families watching this all over the world. We love you and miss you.

:) Jeff

Thursday, Aug. 13: Screening, Part 2

Good morning!

Yesterday Team Nanchang greeted a crowd of about 100 patients and their families. When the day was done, we had screening 86 children and scheduled 48 patients for surgery over the next 4 days.

During screening, each child starts with the medical records station where their chart is started and a picture is taken for identification. The patient has their vital signs taken by our pre-op nurses, and then progresses through a series of stations including pediatrics, anesthesia, plastic surgery, and dental. At the end, they each meet with our speech therapist who helps the family learn to better support the child's speech development, and nutritional and feeding needs. I'll write more on each of these as the week unfolds.

Team meeting late last night to get ready for today, Friday, our first day of surgery. We are ready for a great week!

Enjoy some pictures from the first part of screening.

For more screening pictures, watch a slideshow of pictures from screening day or comment on my blog.

Thanks again for being a friend of Operation Smile!

- Jeff

Thursday, Aug. 13: Sounds from Screening

Wednesday, Aug. 12: Travel to Nanchang

August 12, 2009

Good evening, Friends of Operation Smile,

The team spent most of Wednesday traveling from Beijing to our final destination - the city of Nanchang. After a brief tour of the hospital, and an initial team meeting, our in-country hosts welcomed the Operation Smile team with a traditional Chinese dinner.

Tomorrow, we will begin screening patients for surgery over the next week, and this is why the team has traveled to far. It's an early rise, with a morning team meeting over breakfast, and then on to the hospital. I hope to write more tomorrow about screening and post pictures from our day.

Thanks for following the mission so far. For now, enjoy a few scenes from our trip.

- Jeff

First international mission: 1991

Local mission sites: Baoshan, Guangzhou, Hebei, Kunming, Lincang, Xi'an

Kenya

Nairobi: August 13 - 22, 2009

On each Operation Smile mission, each patient brings with them their personal story. Some may be longer than others, but all important to themselves and to the volunteers. This particular story exemplifies the network of Operation Smile through its volunteers and the dedication they have for helping others. This story also illustrates how a volunteer is always a volunteer even when they are not on a mission. They are always doing what they can no matter where they are.

This short story is about Nozantui Lempoyio, a 23 year old Maasai woman in Kenya who was born with a unilateral cleft lip. Unknown to many, Nozantui’s story with Operation Smile didn’t just start from the time she arrived at Kenyatta National Hospital, or from the time she left her village five hours away in the Maasai Mara, but rather it started almost two years ago on a previous Operation Smile mission.

It started after Susan Craig’s fourth mission as medical records volunteer in Nairobi, Kenya. After the Operation Smile mission, she joined many of her fellow volunteers on safari in the Maasai Mara. Here, Susan befriended Nick and Elizabeth Cowell, two lifetime residents of the Mara and who own the Wildlife Conservation Trust in the area. The Cowell’s and Susan became close friends and Susan’s family returned to the Cowell’s conservation camp.

The Cowell’s Wildlife Conservation Trust focuses both on wildlife conservation as well as cultural conservation in the Mara where they create local controlled ownership and responsibilities for the surrounding local Maasai villages. The focus of the cultural aspect is to empower the ownership of local woman’s communities through their own livestock, eco tourism activities and traditional Maasai crafts.

Over a year after Susan Craig’s visit, Nozantui became involved with the local woman’s community. This is a minor miracle in itself because the Maasai community is very protective and shelters members with deformities. In Nozantui’s case, her deformity was evident.

After meeting Nozantui, Elizabeth Cowell realized that this was something that Operation Smile could help with. The Cowell’s quickly contacted their good friend Susan Craig in Florida for her help. Susan, being a veteran volunteer had the current numbers for the program coordinators in Norfolk and got in touch with the office.

Without hesitation, Operation Smile’s network had the Cowell’s in touch with Diana Gathiga, the coordinator in Kenya. Diana explained that the best option for Nozantui, would be to come to the next Nairobi mission. Before she could go, Nozantui asked both her husband and village if she could have this surgery and both agreed to let her go.

Nozantui traveled with the Cowell’s, Helen, a Maasai translator, and her young child to the first day of screening. This was Nozantui’s first trip outside of her village, and her first trip to any city. It was evident she was culture shocked. She arrived bright eyed and overwhelmed.

Operation Smile’s medical team escorted Nozantui through the screening process and evaluated her. Luckily Nozantui’s was in good health and the team decided to schedule her for the first day of surgery. After waiting patiently all day, Nozantui was ready to enter the operating room. The procedure was successfully performed by local Kenyan plastic surgeon Ferdinand Nangole.

After waking up in the recovery room, Nozantui could barely recognize herself in the mirror. Her surgery results came out beautifully! It was a touching moment to see all of the Operation Smile team and Nozantui’s friends see her for the first time with a complete smile.

Nozantui was discharged the next day and was excited to show her husband and village her new smile. After a warm embrace from the ward nurses and team, Nozantui left the hospital to head back to her new life. Meanwhile, back in Florida, Susan Craig was waiting patiently for the news. She was unsure whether Nozantui was selected for surgery and knew nothing.

A few days passed and she still hadn’t received any news. Right when Susan couldn’t take it anymore, she received an email from the Cowell’s Thursday morning. The email explained that Nozantui had safely gone through her surgery and is starting her new life with her new smile. Susan was overcome with emotion from seeing the before and after pictures and to know that things had gone as she had wished.

Operation Smile provides thousands of new lives to people through simple surgeries every year. But what is important is that none of this could happen without the dedication of our volunteers. It was amazing for me to see that our volunteers are volunteers for life. No matter where or when, these amazing people will do what they can to help others. They are the heroes.

George Yarbrough, Regional Programs Manager, Central

Since 1987, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 13,000 Kenyan children with free physical examinations and more than 6,850 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First international mission: 1987

International mission sites: Eldoret, Kisumu, Meru, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru

Local mission sites: Meru, Nairobi and Nyeri

Philippines

Pasay: August 13 - 14, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Pasay to change the lives of Filipino children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Filipino counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1982

International mission sites: Bacolod City, Baguio, Cavite, Cebu City, Davao City, Iligan, Kalibo, Legaspi City, Lucena, Manila, Mindanao, Naga City, Negros Occidental, Pasay, Quezon City; and emergency medical training at Mt. Makiling and Laguna

Local mission sites: Batangas, Butuan City, Cabanatuan City, Dapitan City, Jagna, La Trinidad City Makati, Mamburao, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Naga City, Pasay City, Quezon City, San Jose, Sto. Thomas Batangas and Tarlac City

Vietnam

Hanoi: August 10 - 14, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Hanoi to change the lives of Vietnamese children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Vietnamese counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for 51 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

Brazil

Rio de Janeiro: August 6 - 14, 2009

It is a pleasure to announce our recent medical mission in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, held August 6-14. Volunteers from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru and the United States, provided medical evaluations for 492 patients, the most patients Operation Smile has ever screened during its 11 years in Brazil! During the course of the medical mission, 113 patients received life-changing surgery, and 53 patients from the first medical mission in Rio de Janeiro, returned for their one-year, post-operative check-up.

During the medical mission, there was extensive national media coverage. The most important television and radio outlets in Brazil visited the mission site, the Hospital Universitario Clementino Fraga Filho. Journalists from major newspapers, magazines and web sites also covered the events of the medical mission and helped spread awareness about Operation Smile throughout the country.

American Airlines Supports Operation Smile Brazil
Durign the Rio de Janeiro medical mission, three American Airline employees Aleessandra de Castro, Paula Pinheiro and Marcio Oliveria visted the mission site.

Operation Smile volunteers and patients were honored by visits from the First Ladies of the City of Rio de Janerio and from the State of Rio de Janeiro, as well as the support from the Brazilian Navy.

A multidisciplinary education program took place during the medical mission with more than 165 health care professionals attending the conferences.

Several activities were held prior to the medical mission. On July 22, at the Palácio da Cidade, or city palace, Sérgio de Oliveira Cabral Santos Filho, governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro, and his wife Adriana Ancelmo Cabral, the First Lady of the state of Rio de Janeiro, hosted a charity cocktail party and auction for Operation Smile Brazil.

Three hundred guests attended the event, and by the end of evening the proceeds from the auction raised $40,000.

Also, a store opened at one of the biggest malls in Brazil, where Operation Smile volunteers from Rio de Janeiro spent two weeks spreading awareness about Operation Smile’s programs as well as holding fundraising activities.

Operation Smile Brazil is proud of the social mobilization performed by local volunteers, private companies and the government for the support of its programs as well as for securing the follow-up care of its patients who received surgery at the local cleft centers in Rio de Janeiro. Without everyone’s cooperation and support the success of the medical mission would not have been possible!

Since 1997, Operation Smile international volunteer teams have provided more than 5,230 physical examinations and more than 2,555 surgeries for children and young adults in Brazil, giving them new hope and new smiles.

First international mission: 1997

International mission sites: Belem, Belo Horizonte, Cuiaba, Fortaleza, Goiania, Maceio, Natal, Rio de Janeiro, and Santarem

Local mission sites: Barbalha, Belem, Joinville and Natal

Russia

Ulan Ude: August 3 - 8, 2009

Dear All,

Let me announce the results of our recent mission to Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia, that took place August 2-10, 2009.

The team of 16 volunteers from five different cities of Russia, U.S. and the Philippines, supported by local medical professionals, screened 99 patients and provided life-changing surgeries to 57 of them, including eight patients with primary lips and 29 with primary palates.

In addition, the pediatrician, a surgeon, the speech pathologist and the orthodontist provided free exams and advice to 40 more patients, as well as continuing education for their local colleagues and parents of children with cleft lips and palates.

This mission was mainly made possible thanks to hard work of the Department of Protection of Motherhood and Childhood of the Buryatian Ministry of Health. Oxana Valerievna Shulgina, the leading specialist of the Department, played a key role in collecting information from the patients, getting their lab work ready and working with the head doctor of the hosting hospital ensuring all the necessary supplies and drugs get ordered and all the necessary personnel provided. They also took care of arranging hotel, transport and meals for the team during the mission. The amount of preparatory work done was evident from the efficient, clock-work-like operation of all the areas where local support was involved.

The Operation Smile team was sincerely and warmly welcomed. Whether it was an additional table for screening, a bottle of water for the doctors in the OR or an extra drug for a patient – everything was readily provided with a smile and obvious enthusiasm. Not only did the hospital staff, who worked directly with the team, show hospitality, but the whole medical community also showed their appreciation. Doctors from one of the remote regions sent in a whole box of smoked Omul – a rare fish that can be caught only in Lake Baikal. Also, the head doctor of a Buryatian spa resort hosted the team for the afternoon of the Team Bonding Day.

Among the patients who were treated, were two orphans who became Operation Smile patients long ago, when they were first brought to a mission by their caretaker all the way to Novosibirsk – a two-day train ride – to get their lips corrected. They couldn’t get to Novosibirsk for the next mission, because of the cost of travel. Now, several years later, they got their palates taken care of in their home town. For a lot of the families, just getting to Ulan-Ude and back from some of the more remote areas of Buryatia cost over half of their monthly pay. In such a big country as Russia, we believe, Operation Smile’s future is getting closer to our patients and the mission in Ulan-Ude is yet another step in this direction.

My best,

Irina Tulyakova, Executive Director of Operation Smile Russia

Since 1997, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided 4,135 Russian children with free medical evaluations and 2,064 have received life-changing surgery during medical missions.

First international mission: 1993

International mission sites: Kazan, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Petrozavodsk, St. Petersburg, Taganrog, Tomsk, Ulan Ude, Vyatka and Yaroslavl

Local mission sites: Vladimir, Novosibirsk and Taganrog

Vietnam

HCMC-08-2009: August 3 - 7, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in HCMC to change the lives of Vietnamese children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Vietnamese counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and 73 reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

China

Lincang: August 2 - 8, 2009

Lincang is a little-known county capital in the far southwest corner of China, nestled in the hills close to the border with Myanmar and the edge of the Tibetan plateau.

A team of 19 volunteers travelled from around China - Beijing, Hong Kong, Kunming - and the world from Philippines, Australia and the U.S. to take part in one of Operation Smile’s latest success stories.

Patients and their families flooded into the Lincang City Chinese Medicine Hospital all day August 3 and August 4 in hope of receiving an operation this week.

But what made this mission special is its local status, under the coordination of Kunming-based Dr. Xiaowei Wang and Dr. Yongcheng Li. The international participants were there to assist the team in meeting Operation Smile’s global medical and nursing standards of care and safety. The goal was to establish a regular localized system of quality cleft care throughout the province of Yunnan.

Clinical Coordinator, Norie de Guzman from the Philippines, said, "Our team is great – everyone is cooperative and eager to help out.”

The mission came to a close on Friday, August 7, with 72 lives forever changed for the better.

- Peter Stuckings, Operation Smile Volunteer Photographer

First international mission: 1991

International mission sites: Beijing, Dujiang-Yan, Foshan, Hangzhou, Harbin, Hefei, Kunming, Lanzhou, Linyi, Meizhou, Nanchang, Nanjing, Quingdao, Shantou, Urumqi, Wu Han City, Xi'an, Zhaoqing, Zhengzhou, Zhongshan

Local mission sites: Baoshan, Guangzhou, Hebei, Kunming, Lincang, Xi'an

Venezuela

Caracas: August 1 - 1, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Caracas to change the lives of Venezuelan children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Venezuelan counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Patients receive surgery year-round in Venezuela during medical screening and care conducted independently by Operation Smile Venezuela through in-country local medical missions. To date, Operation Smile medical volunteers have treated more than 2,900 children and young adults through international medical missions and local in-country medical missions in Venezuela.

First international mission: 1993
International mission sites: Barinas, Caracas, Maturin, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, San Cristobal and Valencia
Local mission sites: Caracas, Maturin, Monagas, San Cristobal and Valencia

Colombia

Bogota: August 1 - 1, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Bogota to change the lives of Colombian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Colombian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1988

International mission sites: Bogota, Buenaventura, Cali, Duitama, Ibague and Manizales

Local mission sites: Barrancabermaja, Barranquilla, Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartegena, Caucasia, Duitama, El Bagre, Facatativa, Fusagasuga, La Dorada, La Mesa, Leticia, Mitu, Mocoa, Monteria, Neiva, Pereira, Puerto Asis, Riohacha, Rionegro, Santamarta, Sincelejo, Ubate and Zipaquira

Vietnam

Binh Phuoc : July 27 - 31, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Binh Phuoc to change the lives of Vietnamese children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Vietnamese counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Binh Phuoc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

Colombia

Popayan: July 23 - 26, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Popayan to change the lives of Colombian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Colombian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Since its first international mission to Colombia in 1988, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 9,500 Colombian children suffering with facial deformities and more than 6,700 have received free reconstructive surgery. Children are also treated year-round during local medical missions and at the Operation Smile Clinic in Bogota.

First international mission: 1988

International mission sites: Bogota, Buenaventura, Cali, Duitama, Ibague, Manizales, and Popayan.

Local mission sites: Barrancabermaja, Barranquilla, Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartegena, Caucasia, Duitama, El Bagre, Facatativa, Fusagasuga, La Dorada, La Mesa, Leticia, Mitu, Mocoa, Monteria, Neiva, Pereira, Puerto Asis, Riohacha, Rionegro, Santamarta, Sincelejo, Ubate, and Zipaquira.

Ecuador

Cuenca: July 22 - 26, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Cuenca to change the lives of Ecuadorian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Ecuadorian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 2009

International mission sites: Cuenca

Vietnam

Hanoi: July 20 - 24, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Hanoi to change the lives of Vietnamese children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Vietnamese counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for 61 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo: July 15 - 25, 2009

It is with great honor that I announce the results of the first international mission to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, held July 15–25. The team, made up of volunteers from Panama, Spain, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Paraguay, the UK, Colombia, and the United States, screened 136 patients, and performed 110 procedures on 95 patients during surgery week. We had 85 patients return for the one-week post-op evaluations and we are very pleased with the results!

All of the children that we helped during the mission left a life lasting impression on the team, especially Eimi and Stanley. Stanley is a six and a half-year old boy with a primary cleft lip. Leaving his eleven brothers and sisters at home, Stanley and his mother traveled four hours to be examined by Operation Smile.

Stanley was extremely shy during screening and would not talk to any of the other children - until we brought out the soccer ball. During surgery week Stanley came to the hospital in his soccer shoes. He had his cleft lip successfully repaired and is looking forward to being the star on his team.

Eimi is a two year old girl who also had a primary cleft lip. Eimi was extremely outgoing and loved playing with the other children during screening.

However, her parents did not like to take her out in public. They were too afraid she would be ridiculed for her cleft lip. I am happy to report that on the inaugural international mission in the Dominican Republic, Operation Smile was able to repair Stanley and Eimi’s cleft lips and change their lives forever.

This mission would not have been possible without the tireless work of our Executive Director Paul Martinez of Operation Smile Dominican Republic and without the guidance and support of the Latin America Regional office. I would also like to thank Hospital Central Fuerzas Armadas and the Board of Operation Smile Dominican Republic for hosting this mission and for being so accommodating.

Finally this mission, nor any mission, would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, especially the Pellerano sisters of Santo Domingo, Claudia, Mariel and Alejandra. These ladies worked tirelessly throughout the mission translating and caring for our patients.

Congratulations to all who made this inaugural mission such a success!

Saludos,

Christa Porcaro, Operation Smile Program Coordinator

First international mission: 2009

International mission sites: Santo Domingo

Peru

Arequipa: July 8 - 11, 2009

An Operation Smile team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for 50 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities. Among the 50 who received surgery, were adults Nicanor Vilca Quispe, Rose Acero de Chambi and Janett Yasmin Espinoza Gomez.

Nicanor Vilca Quispe, a 65 year old man from a small town called “Jacobo Hunter” in the city of Arequipa, arrived at the Regional Hospital Honorio Delgado on Thursday, July 9, but patient screening was already over.

He had not been able to come earlier because of a transportation strike. Nicanor had a unilateral cleft lip and had never received surgery. His daughter Lucila came with him. One of our plastic surgeons, Dr. Eduardo Lescano, saw him and said that we could schedule him for surgery at the end of the day if all examinations went well. He was very happy when he heard the news.

Nicanor later received the surgery and was discharged the next day. He came back for post-op on Tuesday, July 14, and was doing great.

Rosa Acero de Chambi, a 54 year old woman from Socabya, Arequipa, came for screening on Wednesday, July 8, and was selected for surgery. She had a unilateral cleft lip and had never had corrective surgery either.

I remember watching her go into the Operating Room, with her husband by her side. He kissed her good bye, and walked to the “Childlife” area with our psychologist.

She had surgery on Saturday, July 11, from which she recovered very quickly and went back home on Sunday morning. Her first post-op consultation showed that everything went according to plan.

Janett Yasmin Espinoza Gómez is a 17 year old girl from Arequipa that had an incomplete bilateral cleft lip. She had previously shown up for screening during the Lima mission at the end of June. Unfortunately she was not selected because she was sick with the flu. Yasmin was very upset. She wanted to have surgery because this is her last year of school, and she wanted to go to the prom looking “beautiful.”

I was sad too when she told me this, so I encouraged her to go to the Arequipa mission. Our doctors told her how to take care of herself, and also gave her the medicine she needed to be healthy by the time we held the mission in Arequipa.

Her mother Anita was frustrated but she knew this was for the best. Anita and Yasmin, who was always wearing a scarf to cover her mouth, came to the hospital on Wednesday, July 8. Her physical examination was good and her lab results were great. She was hospitalized that same day and received surgery the following day.

Upon awakening, Yasmin was a little confused in the recovery room. She went back to her room, and when she saw herself in the mirror she knew she was going to be able to go to prom “bonita.” She was discharged on Friday around noon and looked very happy. I saw her during the first post-op, and the look in her eyes was completely different.

Yasmin now looked confident. She was wearing the scarf but it was not covering her mouth like it used to. Those are the moments that remind me how great and rewarding our work is. It’s not just about a surgical procedure; it’s about changing families lives, around the world.

- Lizet Campos, Jefe de Programas

Operación Sonrisa Perú

Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 6,155 Peruvian children and young adults with free physical examinations and more than 2,397 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First international mission: 1999

International mission sites: Arequipa, Lima, Salaverry and Trujillo

Local mission sites: Arequipa, Iquitos, Trujillo, Puno, Cusco and Lima

Nicaragua

USNS Comfort/Nicaragua: July 1 - 9, 2009

It is with great pleasure that I write to inform you of the successful completion of the international medical mission in Nicaragua that took place from July 1-9 in partnership with the United States Navy. Our team of volunteers from Nicaragua, Canada, Peru, Colombia, Mexico and the United States provided life-changing surgeries for 57 patients during three days of surgery onboard the Navy’s hospital ship, the USNS Comfort.

CORINTO, Nicaragua (July 4, 2009) - An Operation Smile staff member plays with a patient before reconstructive surgery for a cleft lip aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort during a medical service project. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Nashaunda Tilghman/Released)

While our strong, long term partnership with the U.S. Navy made for smooth sailing during this mission, the actual seas were not so calm. Our team quickly adjusted to operating and working while swaying back and forth in the 8-13 foot swells.

Our operating room team found clever ways to tie down the OR lights to keep them from rocking back and forth, and our nurses transporting the patients got a good workout each day while trying to steer the gurneys in a straight line down the hallways.

Even a few of our patients found new ways to entertain themselves using the movement of the ship. Some children had a blast chasing their matchbox cars from one side of the ward to the other as the waves made their toys roll all over the place. The seas definitely made the mission more interesting and adventurous!

Aside from receiving a life-changing surgery onboard a ship, our patients also experienced the thrill and excitement of helicopter rides to and from the ship. A few of the patients had cameras and were able to take aerial pictures of their beautiful country from the bird’s eye view.

A special thank you to the Operation Smile Nicaragua team, Ana, Rosalina, Roxanna, Rodrigo and Jaffa, as well as the local volunteer team, for laying the foundation for this mission and for continuing to care for our patients. Without their expertise and experience, this mission could never have been so successful!

Best regards,
Katie Lough, Program Coordinator, Latin America & The Caribbean

Since 1993, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 4,200 Nicaraguan children with free physical examinations and more than 2,000 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First international mission: 1993

International mission sites: Chinandega, Managua

Local mission sites: La Mascota, Managua

Vietnam

HCMC:

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for 102 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

Philippines

Bohol:

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Bohol to change the lives of Filipino children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Filipino counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for 54 children and young adults with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international mission: 1982

International mission sites: Bacolod City, Baguio, Bohol, Cavite, Cebu City, Davao City, Iligan, Kalibo, Legaspi City, Lucena, Manila, Mindanao, Naga City, Negros Occidental, Quezon City; and emergency medical training at Mt. Makiling and Laguna

Peru

Lima: June 27 - 28, 2009

A team of medical and non-medical Operation Smile volunteers worked in Lima to change the lives of Peruvian children suffering from facial deformities.

Plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, a dentist, speech therapist, child life therapist and others worked to provide free physical examinations and 25 patients with reconstructive surgeries.

This was Operation Smile's 10th mission to Lima and the 14th medical mission in Peru.

First international mission: 1999

International mission sites: Arequipa, Lima, Salaverry and Trujillo

Local mission sites: Arequipa, Iquitos and Trujillo

Russia

Novosibirsk: June 22 - 26, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Novosibirsk to change the lives of Russian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Russian counterparts.

The team provided free physical examinations and 41 reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with facial deformities.

Since 1997, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided 4,078 Russian children with free medical evaluations and 2,105 have received life-changing surgery during medical missions.

First international mission: 1993

International mission sites: Kazan, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Petrozavodsk, St. Petersburg, Taganrog, Tomsk, Vyatka and Yaroslavl

Local mission sites: Vladimir, Novosibirsk and Taganrog

Venezuela

Caracas: June 20 - 20, 2009

An Operation Smile team of volunteers worked in Caracas, Venezuela, to change the lives of children suffering from facial deformities. The team consisted of medical and non-medical volunteers, and included plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, orthodontists, a biomedical technician and other medical professionals.

These volunteers worked alongside a Venezuelan medical team to provide physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults.

First international mission: 1993

International mission sites: Barinas, Caracas, Maturin, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, San Cristobal and Valencia

Local mission sites: Caracas, Maturin, Monagas, San Cristobal and Valencia

Jordan

Amman: June 18 - 27, 2009

It is with great honor that we write to tell you about the success of the last mission which took place at Jamil Totanji Hospital, in Amman, Jordan from June 18-26, 2009.

We had a great Jordanian, regional and international team from Egypt, Italy, USA, UK, Ireland, Australia, Philippines and Brazil, whose dedication and hard work made this mission a success despite all challenges.

The four table mission provided surgeries and new smiles for 87 children. These were the patients chosen from 188 children who showed up for prescreening in Amman and 41 who showed up in the West Bank.

Finally, we are grateful for the great support from our local team especially Dr. Mahmoud Bataineh, OSJ Medical Director, the support of our regional office, and the great efforts of headquarter office in addition to Operation Smile Ireland for the generous grant that made this mission possible.

Looking forward to mobilizing generous hearts, creating more smiles and transforming more lives.

Best Regards,

Manal Wazani & Haneen Suleiman
Operation Smile Jordan

Since its first international mission to Jordan in 2000, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 4,379 Jordanian, Iraqi and Palestinian children, suffering with facial deformities. More than 2,037 Jordanian, Iraqi, Palestinian children have received free reconstructive surgery.

First international mission: 2000

International mission sites: Amman and Irbid

Local mission sites: Amman, Irbid and Petra

Philippines

Laguna: June 15 - 17, 2009

An Operation Smile team of volunteers worked to provide life-changing cleft lip and cleft palate surgery for 73 Filipino children in Laguna. The team consisted of medical and non-medical volunteers, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and others.

First international mission: 1982

Paraguay

Asuncion: June 10 - 14, 2009

Operation Smile Paraguay recently completed its fifth local mission, only this time the team was entirely comprised of Paraguayan medical volunteers who provided free reconstructive and life-changing surgery for 37 patients. The local mission took place in Asunción at the San Jorge Hospital, property of the Paraguayan Army, which lends its infrastructure to Operation Smile Paraguay each year.

Dr. Carlos Bacchetta, Medical Director for Operation Smile Paraguay, was also the plastic surgery team leader and field medical director. He did a wonderful job keeping the medical team focused on the goal and providing a safe surgery to every child we served.

Dr. Benigno Perrotta coordinated the anesthesia team with over 12 anesthesiologists participating on the mission. Lic. Roxana Vaesken did a fantastic job in her role as the clinical coordinator and was admired by every medical and non-medical volunteer. She took care not only of her duties as the nursing team leader but went the extra mile coordinating and preparing the consumables, equipment and medicines for the whole mission. She also helped train Lic. Cristina Mamani, from Bolivia, who visited Asunción during the mission to train as a clinical coordinator.

Evaluations took place on Wednesday, June 10, with over 160 patients and their families coming from different and distant parts of the country, some of them from over 600 kilometers. Overall, 107 patients were fully evaluated by our team, with the addition of a “Social Assistance Station” where patients took a socio-economic survey. During surgery days, speech pathologists provided a very productive and educative workshop for parents.

Out of the 107 patients screened, 37 patients were chosen for surgery between June 12-14 at the San Jorge Hospital. One of the most admirable cases was Bernardita Santacruz who has been volunteering as a scrub nurse for over a year with Operation Smile. Bernardita came to Operation Smile Paraguay as a patient with a cleft palate on 2007, but when she saw how many kids were in need she decided to volunteer.

Bernardita came to our clinic on June 10 as a patient, and as soon as she finished her medical evaluation, she changed into her scrubs and helped settle the OR, and scrubbed a couple of cases on Friday for other patients. On that same day, she went back home, changed out of her OR clothes and came back to the hospital to receive her long-awaited surgery on June 13. Bernardita could not contain her joy and every time someone mentioned her surgery, tears of emotion and happiness would stream down her face.

Operation Smile Paraguay received the help of number of volunteers from several companies and schools: Banco Familiar SAECA, Personal, HSBC Bank, ESSO Standard Paraguay SRL, Saint Anne’s School, Liberty School of Education, Cristo Rey School, Saint Andrew’s School, American School of Asunción, San Ignacio de Loyola School and several others. The mission was supported by Personal, Banco Familiar, American School of Asunción and many other companies and individuals who kindly donated in-kind goods.

Over the past four years, the Operation Smile Paraguay team has performed 620 surgeries in the country. Today, over 650 children have a new smile in Paraguay.

Karen Coronel, Directora Ejecutiva
Operación Sonrisa Paraguay

First international mission: 2005
International mission sites: Asunción
Local mission sites: Asunción

Vietnam

Hue: June 8 - 12, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical and non-medical volunteers worked in Vietnam to provide examinations and surgical procedures for Vietnamese children and young adults suffering from cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

Vietnam

HCMC: June 1 - 5, 2009

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

Ethiopia

Jimma:

On behalf of Operation Smile Ethiopia and Operation Smile Inc., it is with great pleasure that we inform you about our recent mission to Jimma, Ethiopia. We had a stellar team made up of 39 volunteers from nine different countries including Egypt, Brazil, Canada, and the Philippines, and others from 15 different U.S. States.

One hundred and twenty-one people came to the site to be screened, and we were able to provide 84 of those patients with life-changing surgery. In total, we completed 111 procedures—including 65 primary unilateral lip repairs and 15 primary bilateral lip repairs!

One of my favorite stories from this mission is that of Leliftu Mahammed, a 6 year-old girl with a bilateral cleft lip.

During our last mission to Jimma in December of 2008, Leliftu arrived to be screened on our last day of surgery, so sadly we were unable to operate on her. Through teary eyes we explained to her and her father that they should come back to Jimma for our next mission the following year.

Before our mission in June, Dany had been in touch with Leliftu’s father and explained to him how important it was for them to come to the hospital on our big screening day. When screening day came we hoped to see Leliftu, but she did not come.

By the time Leliftu and her father came it was the third day of surgery and our surgery schedule was full. When we asked why they did not come earlier the father said that they did not have any money for the journey, and so they had to borrow money in order to get to the site.

Well, with a story like this how could we not adjust our schedule so that we could give her the life-changing surgery she had been waiting so long for? Leliftu had surgery the very next day and her mother and father were so very grateful.

This was truly a touching mission where many heart-felt stories were heard and shared. Our team was cohesive, our leadership, strong, and the memories we all took with us as we left Jimma were priceless.

Thank you to all that were involved with this mission; your constant dedication and support is what made this mission a success!

Thank you,

Dany Meles, Shannon Mintz, and Graham Young

Since 2005, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 1,330 Ethiopian children with free medical evaluations and more than 829 have received life-changing surgery during international medical missions.

First international mission: 2005
International mission sites: Addis Ababa, Axum, Jimma and Mekele

Brazil

Barbalha: May 25 - 28, 2009

An Operation Smile team of volunteers provided life-changing cleft lip and cleft palate surgery for 38 children in Barbalha, Brazil. The team consisted of medical and non-medical volunteers, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatric intensivist, an orthodontist, a psychologist and others. These volunteers worked alongside their Brazilian counterparts to provide free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with facial deformities.

First international mission: 1997
International mission sites: Belem, Belo Horizonte, Cuiaba, Fortaleza, Goiania, Maceio, Natal and Santarem
Local mission sites: Barbalha, Belem, Joinville and Natal

India

Guwahati: May 21 - 29, 2009

I am happy to announce the successful completion of the second Operation Smile international mission in Guwahati, Assam, in the north eastern part of India! In many ways, this mission was a very important mission for Operation Smile.

This was the first time we did a seven (6+1) table mission in India; and the results were exceptional. We achieved something we had always dreamt of: 200+ surgeries. In six surgical days we were able to change the lives of 226 kids and their families.

We had an incredible team of 70 volunteers, lead by a very strong leadership team. There were volunteers from six different countries.

Above all, we were privileged to have amongst us Dr. Magee and Kathy Magee, their presence was very inspirational for the team.

As a team we did face some obstacles and problems, but I feel all these obstacles and the willingness and determination to overcome them is what made us feel like a family, and what made this mission great.

Operation Smile India is planning extensive activities in the North East of the country, and this mission has been a great foundation stone.

In two weeks, our team was able to change the lives of not only 226 children and their families, but we have also created hope in the minds of several children and their families.

We have shown them that a cleft lip and cleft palate is curable. We have shown that it is not a miracle that they have to wait for - there is a solution.

Operation Smile will be committed to fulfill this hope and promise. As a step to fulfilling this promise we inaugurated our first Comprehensive Care Center in the North East and the third in the country on this mission.

The Care Center will be fully functional in a couple of months. This was inaugurated by the Chief Minister and the Health minister of the state along with Dr. Magee and Kathy Magee at a small function at the hospital. Also present for the occasion was Mr. Prateek Hajela, District Commissioner, and other members of the Operation Smile family including Mr. Ranjit Barthakur, Chairman of the Board, Operation Smile India, and Mr. Ajit Varma, Executive Director, Operation Smile India.

We have also planned two big missions in Guwahati. We plan to do a 500 Smiles (500 surgical objective) mission in November and 1,000 Smile mission in February 2010!

Regards,
Abhishek Sengupta
Regional Coordinator
Operation Smile India

First international mission: 2002
International mission sites: Bolpur, Deesa, Dharamsala, Guwahati, Himachal Pradesh, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Manipal, Rajkot and Vijayawada
Local mission sites: Kolkata and Deesa

Democratic Republic of Congo

Kinshasa: May 20 - 30, 2009

Greetings Operation Smile Family!

Africa has just added its newest mission country as Operation Smile South Africa conducted its inaugural mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo May 21- 28.

The mission took place in Kinshasa at Clinique Ngaliema. Medical professionals from nine different countries took time away from their homes to join an Operation Smile team in screening 555 patients and providing free life-changing surgery for a total of 215 children and adults!

A staggering 38 of the 555 patients screened were identified as potential candidates for our World Care Program. Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA) has designed a World Care Program specifically for patients with more complicated craniofacial disfigurements.

On a case by case basis, OSSA with the support of the South African and DRC National Departments of Health, are working on bringing these extraordinary cranio-facial cases from the DRC to Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban and Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Cape Town to receive free surgery.

Our in-country support was phenomenal, with most in-country costs covered through cash and in-kind support of local businesses or individuals. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to collaborate not only with the Ministry of Health but also with various other groups and NGO’s.

UNICEF, World Vision, Save the Children, Caritas and Reejer assisted us with not only the awareness campaign, but also provided accommodation and food for all 555 patients who came to screening as well as the 215 who stayed for surgery and then post-op! Save The Children even provided actors to entertain the families during screening while simultaneously educating them by addressing child and family issues in their skits. They also worked with our student teams during the school and orphanage visits.

One very memorable patient was the team darling, 23-year-old Laurette, who arrived at the end of day two of screening with a 10 kilo tumor growing out her forehead. All who met her were immediately moved by her story as well as her bright personality and incredible strength.

After some discussion to decide what could be done to help, and if we in fact were capable of helping, she underwent a successful surgery to remove the majority of the tumor mass, performed by Anil Madaree from South Africa. Laurette remained with us through post-op, and within two days of the operation, the swelling had greatly diminished and she could already hold her head up (and SMILE).

Though she will likely need more treatment and surgery, the immediate improvement in her quality of life was amazing to witness, simply in her improved posture and even more so through her newfound optimism on life.

We conducted our 1-week post-op on May 31, to which a total of 211 of the patients came for a final check-up before going back home. Everyone was looking healthy and happy and well on their way to a full recovery!
Local health care professionals were extremely excited by the opportunity to work alongside our team and we were overwhelmed by their enthusiasm.

As well as hands-on training and plenty of opportunity for in-theatre observation, local surgeons, nurses, anesthetists, and final year medical students were invited to an OSSA education day hosted by UNIKIN, Kinshasa'a Academic Hospital. Over a hundred enthusiastic medical professionals arrived and each presentation was followed by lively discussion and debate.

Several of UNIKIN's medical students provided invaluable assistance to the whole team by acting as translators during the mission - from screening and set up, through surgery, and on to post-op. These same translators are in the process of forming an Operation Smile Club at their university to help garner more in-country support for our next mission.

We are very grateful for all the support that we received to make this mission possible including 15,000 Euros from Italy for international volunteers' airfare. The DRC community and OSSA alike look forward to many more missions in Kinshasa and throughout the country!

- Tamlin Grier, South Africa

This is Operation Smile's inaugural mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

First international mission: 2009
International mission sites: Kinshasa

Vietnam

Vung Tau: May 18 - 22, 2009

Operation Smile medical and non-medical volunteers worked in Vung Tau during a mission in Vietnam to provide examinations and surgical procedures for Vietnamese children and young adults suffering from facial deformities.

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

Philippines

Isabela: May 14 - 16, 2009

An Operation Smile team of volunteers worked to provide life-changing cleft lip and cleft palate surgery for Filipino children in Isabela. The team consisted of medical and non-medical volunteers, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and others.

First international mission: 1982

Vietnam

Hanoi: May 4 - 8, 2009

Operation Smile medical and non-medical volunteers worked in Hanoi during a local mission in Vietnam to provide 56 examinations and 29 surgical procedures for Vietnamese children and young adults suffering from facial deformities.

First international dental mission to Vietnam: 1997

First international mission: 1989

International mission sites: Bac Thai, Bao Loc, Can Tho, Da Nang, Haiphong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City, Ninh Thuan, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Tra Vinh and Vung Tau

Cambodia

Kampong Chom: May 2 - 7, 2009

I am writing to report the success of another incredible Operation Smile mission in Kampong Cham, Cambodia. From May 2–7, our team of volunteers from nine different countries provided physical examinations for 200 people and life-changing surgery for 92 patients, and brought smiles to many more thanks to their incredible work.

Our objective for this mission was to provide 65 surgeries, and we soared past our goal while still maintaining the high level of patient safety and care Operation Smile prides itself in.

We called this mission a “Singapore-Cambodia Friendship Mission,” but Operation Singapore extended much more than friendship to Cambodia – they supported many different aspects of the mission, from the stellar coordinating efforts of Rachel Woon, Program Coordinator for OS Singapore, to sponsored team dinners throughout the week.

The dedication of the primarily Singaporean team, led by Dr. Vincent Yeow of Operation Smile Singapore, was beyond commendable. The team was eager to get to the hospital before 7 a.m. so they would be ready to start by 8 a.m. Team members also played with the local children, (not just waiting patients), in the hot Cambodian sun. Many stayed in the operating room until 7 p.m. to be able to do one more surgery.

On behalf of Operation Smile, thank you to everyone around the world (Singapore, Cambodia, Norfolk, Asia Regional Team), who supported us on this mission. I would also like to extend a huge thank you to those generous hearts, our volunteers and donors, who continue to change lives and bring hope to people across the globe.

- Lucas Carlson, Program Coordinator, Operation Smile Inc., Asia-Pacific Region

Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 3,310 Cambodian children with free physical examinations and more than 1,510 have received life-changing surgery.

First medical mission: 2002
International mission sites: Battambang, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham and Sihanoukville
Local mission sites: Phnom Penh

Brazil

Maceio:

An Operation Smile team of volunteers provided life-changing cleft lip and cleft palate surgery for children in Maceio, Brazil. The team consisted of medical and non-medical volunteers, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatric intensivist, an orthodontist, a psychologist and others. These volunteers worked alongside their Brazilian counterparts to provide free physical examinations and reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with facial deformities.

First international mission: 1997
International mission sites: Belem, Belo Horizonte, Cuiaba, Fortaleza, Goiania, Maceio, Natal and Santarem
Local mission sites: Barbalha, Belem, Joinville and Natal

Philippines

Silay City: April 22 - 25, 2009

An Operation Smile team, comprised primarily of local Filipino medical volunteers, worked in Silay City to provide free physical examinations and surgery for children born with facial deformities. Parents throughout the Philippines brought their children to the mission site, hoping their son or daughter would be chosen for surgery.

The team of medical and non-medical volunteers, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatric intensivist, an orthodontist, speech therapists, a biomedical technician and others, performed 121 physical examinations and provided new smiles for 71 patients.

Since 1982, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 19,000 Filipino children and young adults with free medical evaluations, and more than 14,000 have received life-changing surgery during medical missions.

First international mission: 1982

International mission sites: Bacolod City, Baguio, Cavite, Cebu City, Davao City, Iligan, Kalibo, Legaspi City, Lucena, Manila, Mindanao, Naga City, Negros Occidental, Quezon City, Silay City; and emergency medical training at Mt. Makiling and Laguna

Local mission sites: Batangas, Butuan City, Cabanatuan City, Dapitan City, Jagna, La Trinidad City Makati, Mamburao, Mandaluyong City, Manila, Naga City, Pasay City, Quezon City, San Jose, Sto. Thomas Batangas and Tarlac City

Egypt

Alexandria: April 20 - 30, 2009

It is with great pride we announce the successful completion of Operation Smile Egypt's inaugural mission in Alexandria, Egypt. The Alexandria mission marks a great step for Operation Smile Egypt as it is largest mission completed in the country to date, both in the size of the team and in the number of lives changed.

More than 70 medical professionals from eight different countries and nine U.S. States joined our fellow colleagues in Egypt along with an amazing group of student volunteers to screen 458 people in two days and provide new smiles for 164 Egyptian children!

In addition to the success and quality of care provided, over a dozen Egyptian medical professionals are on their way to becoming credentialed, including five surgeons, two pediatric intensivists, two dentists and four anesthesiologists.

We would like to thank the entire Alexandria Team, the Board of Directors in Egypt, the wonderful staff at the Shark El Madeina Hospital and the Health Directorate of Alexandria for making this mission possible. We look forward to the continued development and growth of Operation Smile Egypt.

One last note - after three years, the Alexandria mission marks the last for OSEgypt coordinator Ahmed Hussein. Please join us in thanking him for his work in Egypt and wishing him the best in his future endeavors! You will be missed Ahmed!

Shukran,

- Megan Moran, Ahmed Hussein and Damien De Clerck, Program Coordinators

Since Operation Smile's first mission to Egypt in 2006, medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 1,600 patients and life-changing surgery to more than 690 children and young adults during international medical missions.

First international mission: 2006
International mission sites: Alexandria, Assiut, Cairo, Qena

Haiti

Hinche: April 20 - 25, 2009

An Operation Smile team of volunteers worked in Hinche to change the lives of children throughout Haiti. The mission team, including more than 25 medical and non-medical volunteers from Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, and the United States, worked with local Haitian medical volunteers. The physical examinations took place at Zanmi Lasante Medical Complex in Cange, and surgeries were performed at Saint Theresa Hospital in Hinche. The team consisted of plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, a pediatric intensivist, an orthodontist and others.

Since its first international mission here in 2008, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 180 Haitian children suffering with facial deformities and more than 120 have received free reconstructive surgery.

First medical mission: 2008
International mission sites: Hinche

Russia

Taganrog: April 20 - 24, 2009

An Operation Smile team of medical volunteers worked in Taganrog to change the lives of Russian children. The medical and non-medical volunteer team members, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a speech therapist and others, worked alongside their Russian counterparts at Children’s Municipal Hospital of Taganrog.

The team provided 94 free physical examinations and 37 reconstructive surgeries for children and young adults with facial deformities.

Before the mission began, the administrative staff at Children’s Municipal Hospital contacted various departments of health in Russia’s neighboring regions to increase the number of patients screened.

Since 1997, Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided 4,078 Russian children with free medical evaluations and 2,064 have received life-changing surgery during medical missions.

First international mission: 1993
International mission sites: Kazan, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Petrozavodsk, St. Petersburg, Taganrog, Tomsk, Vyatka and Yaroslavl
Local mission sites: Vladimir, Novosibirsk and Taganrog

Kenya

Nakuru: April 16 - 25, 2009

I am honored to report the successful completion of the Operation Smile local mission to Nakuru, Kenya, held April 16-25, 2009 at the Rift Valley Provincial Hospital. The mission team, comprised of volunteers from all over Kenya and the world, reached 156 patients and performed 181 safe and successful procedures. The team came together to reach and surpass the initial patient objective of 150 with the highest quality of outcomes and care.

As with any mission - there are many individuals who dedicated countless hours to ensure the success of this mission. The Rift Valley Provincial Hospital has hosted Operation Smile for over 15 years and has grown to be an important part of the Operation Smile Mission in Kenya family. Not only did the hospital donate use of their wards, space and supplies, but over 100 employees of the hospital volunteered their time to assist with the mission and share in the team’s work.

Of particular interest were several patients drawn from pastoralist communities (Maasai, Turkana, Samburu and Rendile) who travelled for several days to reach Nakuru. We were aware of the plight of these communities when two Turkana girls, adorned in their traditional regalia, walked into the same hospital during the World Journey of Smiles in 2007. They had been sentenced to a life of isolation, shame, disfigurement, public humiliation and private pain but they walked out of the hospital with restored dignity. They promised to be Operation Smile Ambassadors and tell others the good news and true to their word, did just that.

The onsite volunteers deserve credit for making this year’s mission to Nakuru a complete success. The Nakuru Site Board‘s dedication to the cause and their anticipation of the needs of the team are a testament to their strength. Led by Dr. Nyamai the board was enthusiastic and very involved in mission preparations and mission activities throughout the week. Rift Valley Provincial, the leadership of Dr. Mugenya and other dedicated individuals, as well as the Nakuru local community were a gracious host to the mission and all its participants. Their ability to coordinate and integrate all parties involved throughout mission preparations and execution were crucial to the mission’s success.

Finally, a thank you to the amazing volunteers; without them, no mission would be possible. It was a particularly moving experience to see volunteers who had been working with Operation Smile for over fifteen years working side-by-side with volunteers on their first mission, still sharing the same emotions and wonder at what is possible through our organization. Each volunteer dedicated and gave their own unique skills and personality to the success of the mission and can never be thanked enough for their efforts.

One family in particular made an impact on the team. A mother and father from the Maasai Community traveled from Narok, (near Masai Mara), with their three children all with primary cleft lips. Sienoi, 10, Senjura, 1 year 10 months, and Seema, 3 years 10 months, each received surgery on our first day of surgery and had beautiful results. Their children were full of joy and lifted the spirits of the team and other patients. Because their smiling faces are now healed, the team was moved and inspired to reach even more people.

This would not have been achieved without the hard work of OSMIK dynamic board, led by Yolanda Andersen who worked tirelessly toward a common goal.

Thank you for all your support,

Joella Adams and OSMIK team

First international mission: 1987
International mission sites: Eldoret, Kisumu, Meru, Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru
Local mission sites: Meru, Nairobi and Nyeri

India

Bolpur: March 14 - 22, 2009

Operation Smile team of more than 25 medical and non-medical volunteers worked in Bolpur, India, to provide free medical evaluations and surgery to children born with facial deformities. The Operation Smile team of plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, dentists, a speech therapist, and others worked at Pearson Memorial Hospital. The team consisted of medical professionals from Australia, Belgium, China, Ireland, Vietnam, and the United States, who worked with their in-country Indian counterparts to provide 57 patients with free life-changing surgeries.

Since Operation Smile's first mission to India in 2002, volunteers have provided free physical examinations for more than 4,930 patients and life-changing surgery for more than 2,130 children and young adults.

Cambodia

Phnom Penh: March 12 - 20, 2009

I am happy to report the success of yet another Operation Smile mission, which took place from March 13-20 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. On this mission, thanks to our incredible, hard-working team, we were able to provide physical examinations for 243 people, and of those, life-changing surgery for 119.

Through our organization, we have the opportunity to work with many generous hearts, but I would like to recognize a few who really poured themselves into this mission. We had help from many Cambodian volunteers and I was amazed by all of their dedication but one volunteer in particular really stood out, Sovannarith. Throughout the day, Sovannarith worked with me, Dr. Theavy, and our team as a translator and all-around helping hand, never shying away from a task. From 7 p.m.-7 a.m., he continued working with our team of night nurses as a translator and they would nearly have to beg him to go to sleep. He literally did not leave the hospital for the entirety of surgery week.

Also, David Fruitman, an Operation Smile Cambodia board member, came nearly every day to the hospital to help in whatever way he could. Not only did he help us then, but he personally bought food and meals for all of the Operation Smile patients and their families who stayed at the hospital during the mission. Later in the week, when he saw there were other people in the hospital in need of food as well, he bought extra food for them, too.

And finally, of course, Dr. Mok Theavy, Country Director for Operation Smile Cambodia, who truly gives all of himself to Operation Smile and works tirelessly to ensure the continued success of Operation Smile Cambodia and our missions there.

These are only a few of the people who put massive efforts into this mission; only a few of those generous hearts in Operation Smile who keep on giving.

I would like to thank all of you from Operation Smile headquarters and our foundations around the world for your support in this mission – these missions are only possible through our cohesive Operation Smile team. I would also like to thank all of the volunteers who freely gave their time and talents to make this mission truly a success.

-Lucas Carlson, Program Coordinator, Operation Smile Inc., Asia-Pacific Region

Operation Smile medical volunteers have provided more than 3,310 Cambodian children with free physical examinations and more than 1,510 have received life-changing surgery. This was Operation Smile’s eighth medical mission to Phnom Penh.

First medical mission: 2002
International mission sites: Battambang, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville
Local mission sites: Phnom Penh

Jordan

Amman: March 5 - 13, 2009

An Operation Smile international team of more than 80 medical and non-medical volunteers worked together from March 5 to 13 in Amman, Jordan, providing free physical examinations and surgery to 111 Jordanian children and young adults suffering from facial deformities. Operation Smile Jordan hosted an additional 50 Palestinian patients from the West Bank.

The volunteer team members included plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, pediatricians, orthodontists, speech therapists and others. These volunteers from Brazil, Canada, Italy, Kenya, Palestine, and the United States worked side-by-side with a Jordanian medical team at Jameel Al Tootanji Hospital in Sahab.

First international mission: 2000
International mission sites: Amman, Irbid
Local mission sites: Amman, Irbid, Petra

Egypt

Cairo: March 3 - 14, 2009

An Operation Smile team of more than 30 medical and non-medical volunteers worked in Cairo, Egypt, and provided free physical examinations and reconstructive surgery to 95 children and young adults born with facial deformities. The Operation Smile team of plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, an orthodontist, a speech therapist, and others were from Canada, Italy, Kenya, the Netherlands, Paraguay, the United Kingdom and the United States. They worked at Alexandria Governorate ICC (Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Hospital) together with their in-country Egyptian counterparts.

Since Operation Smile's first mission to Egypt in 2006, medical volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 1,700 patients and life-changing surgery to more than 780 children and young adults during international medical missions.

First international mission: 2006
International mission sites: Alexandria, Assiut, Cairo, Qena
rking in Cairo to help children born with cleft lips and cleft palates

Colombia

Cartagena & Barranquilla:

An Operation Smile team of medical and non-medical volunteers volunteered their time in Cartagena and Barranquilla, Colombia, to provide free physical examinations and surgery to children born with facial deformities.
The team of volunteers worked first in Cartagena at Hospital Universitario del Caribe and then in Barranquilla at CARI Hospital, to change the lives of children from throughout Colombia. The mission team, consisting of plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a dentist, a biomedical technician and others worked alongside with Operation Smile Colombia medical volunteers.

First international mission: 1988

International mission sites: Bogota, Buenaventura, Cali, Duitama, Ibague, Manizales

Local mission sites: Barrancabermaja, Barranquilla, Bogota, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cartegena, Caucasia, Duitama, El Bagre, Facatativa, Fusagasuga, La Dorada, La Mesa, Leticia, Mitu, Mocoa, Monteria, Neiva, Pereira, Puerto Asis, Riohacha, Rionegro, Santamarta, Sincelejo, Ubate, Zipaquira

Philippines

Cebu, Davao: February 20 - 27, 2009

Two Operation Smile teams, comprised primarily of local Filipino medical volunteers, volunteered in Cebu and Davao to provide free physical examinations and surgery for children born with facial deformities.

The team consisted of more than 50 medical and non-medical volunteers, including plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatric intensivist, orthodontists, speech therapists, a biomedical technician and others. In Cebu, the team worked at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center. In Davao, the team worked at Brokenshire Hospital.

India

Jamshedpur: February 19 - 27, 2009

An Operation Smile team of more than 45 medical and non-medical volunteers worked in Jamshedpur, India, to provide free medical evaluations and surgery to children born with facial deformities. The Operation Smile team of plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, dentists, a speech therapist, and others worked at Tata Main Hospital. The team consisted of medical professionals from Australia and the United States, who worked with their in-country Indian counterparts to provide 181 patients with free life-changing surgeries.

This will be Operation Smile’s first international medical mission to Jamshedpur. Since Operation Smile's first mission to India in 2002, volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 4,880 patients and life-changing surgery to more than 2,080 children and young adults during international medical missions in India.

First international mission: 2002
International mission sites: Bolpur, Deesa, Dharamsala, Guwahati, Himachal Pradesh, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Manipal, Rajkot, Vijayawada
Local mission sites: Kolkata, Deesa

Honduras

Tegucigalpa: February 18 - 28, 2009

An Operation Smile team of more than 30 volunteers worked in Tegucigalpa to change the lives of children from throughout Honduras. The mission team consisted of plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a pediatrician, an orthodontist, a dentist, a biomedical technician and others. The mission team included medical and non-medical volunteers from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the United States, who worked alongside Operation Smile Honduras medical volunteers at Hospital San Felipe y Asilo de Invalidos, where they provided 128 patients with free life-saving reconstructive surgeries.

First international mission: 1997
International mission site: Tegucigalpa
Local mission sites: Choluteca, Santa Rosa de Copan

Nicaragua

Managua: February 4 - 14, 2009

Julieta was a hungry ten month old. Her eyes bulged out of their sunken sockets, and she had a fiendish, desperate expression when she tried to feed. She had a cleft lip, a “v” shaped fissure extending from her upper lip to her nose. “Her mom just dumps food in her mouth with a spoon, and then the baby spits it up,” said one of the volunteers.

I met Julieta during screening for Operation Smile in Managua, Nicaragua. During screening, a medical team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, speech therapists, pediatricians and dentists examine kids brought in from around the country. Every child receives a full medical evaluation. About one in four are selected for surgery to repair cleft lips or cleft palates. Julieta was too small and weak.

“She’s a good candidate for surgery,” we told her mother, “but she needs to grow first and put on some weight. “ Her mother cried. She was by herself, and looked like a teenager. Julieta looked hungry and frail, but she was wearing a pretty dress and a yellow ribbon in her hair. “It’s not your fault,” I told her mother. “You need some help with her.” The speech therapist brought a special nipple that would help her feed Julieta. Her mother sat in a circle of encouraging women as her daughter began to nurse.

Sometimes during screening you have to put your feelings on hold. There are children who need surgery who aren’t selected because of time constraints or safety. As a parent I have a hard time explaining these reasons to desperate and hopeful mothers and fathers, who have sometimes traveled for days for their child to have a chance for surgery.

As I watched Julieta’s mother feeding her, I remembered the pure pleasure of feeding my children – we’d cuddle, they would grab the bottle with both hands, and they would grunt and coo and close their eyes. It felt perfect. I couldn’t imagine what the last ten months had been like for this mother – the shock of having a child with a cleft lip, and the fear and shame of not being able to feed her, of watching her waste away at meal times, a time that should be one of the best for parents.

But you have to put those feelings on hold in order to have safe surgeries. Julieta and her mother at least got some help that day – none too soon, because she probably wouldn’t have survived the next childhood illness that hit her. Maybe she’ll receive surgery next time.
This Operation Smile mission was based at Hospital Mascote (Hospital of Pets) – Managua’s largest public pediatric hospital. The hospital was surrounded by a nearly empty parking lot. On one side there were shade trees, where families waited in tents and on hammocks for their loved ones inside.

I worked in pre-op and post-op. Our job was to get children ready for surgery, care for them after, and get them ready to go home the next day. The rooms were hot and crowded – eight or nine beds per room for kids and parents. The hospital was spread out, walkie talkies didn’t work, and phones were usually tied up. So I spent a lot of time walking between pre-op, the Operating rooms, recovery, medical records, the hospital lab, and post-op.

My day started in pre-op. I’d walk in, usually get a kiss and a joke from the nurses, and check on the patients. We’d get out Nicaraguan medical charts and Operation Smile charts and put them together, and Aggie, the resident who worked with our pediatrician, and I would get the kids in line, check vital signs, NPO status, listen to lungs, and make sure everyone was safe and ready. It had the feel of leaving for a vacation as families lined up together holding bags belonging to their giggling and smiling kids. We’d walk in a group to the pre-op area, where they would meet with the child life specialist. There usually weren’t any tears until it was time to go to the operating room, and even then, not always.

After surgeries there was the adjustment of seeing kids who were happy and carefree before their surgery but now somber as they recovered. Children who had cleft lip surgeries would be thrilled to see their new face, and they had less pain. The children who had cleft palates surgeries had a bit rougher recovery ahead of them. Post-op is loud, hot, and tiring, but it is also where you see kids change back into their real selves again. For me there is no better place.

We usually stayed until 8 or 9, when the night shift came in. Many of the Nicaraguan nurses worked 24 hour shifts. We left sweaty, thirsty, hungry and tired, and still needed to eat, shower and wind down. The good thing was that the next day tongue stitches would come out, kids would smile again, and this time, get in line to go home. By the end of the week, over one hundred kids were treated.

Every day brought some special moment. It could be as simple as a warm greeting that stopped me in my tracks as I rushed from one place or another, a game in the hallway, or holding a child’s hand as they walked in to meet the anesthesiologist, but in the midst of all of the grinding poverty and hard work, Nicaraguans showed me again and again to stop and just appreciate and enjoy other people.

Places you go and people you meet become a part of you. I hope what I keep from Nicaragua is being able to stop and smile, and appreciate the hope and possibility and beauty of simple everyday things. You learn to work in a tough place with overwhelming problems and focus on making some things a little better, even if you can’t fix everything, or even most things.

Nursing – wherever you are – is about building. For Julieta, and countless others, we have a lot to build.

- Michael Felber, Operation Smile volunteer, pre- and post-op nurse

First international mission: 1993

International mission sites: Chinandega, Managua

Local mission sites: La Mascota, Managua

India

Guwahati:

An Operation Smile team of more than 45 medical and non-medical volunteers volunteered their time in Guwahati, India, to provide free medical evaluations and surgery to children born with facial deformities. The Operation Smile team of plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, a dentist, pediatricians, a child life specialist and others worked at MMC Hospital. The team consisted of medical professionals from the United States, who worked with their in-country Indian counterparts to provide 158 patients with free life-changing surgeries.

This was Operation Smile’s first international medical mission to Guwahati. Since Operation Smile's first mission to India in 2002, volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 4,350 patients and life-changing surgery to more than 1,850 children and young adults during international medical missions throughout the country.

India

Rajkot: January 17 - 23, 2009

An Operation Smile team of more than 20 medical and non-medical volunteers volunteered their time in Rajkot, India, to provide free medical evaluations and surgery to children born with facial deformities. The Operation Smile team of plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, dentists, a speech therapist, and others worked at Wockhardt Hospital. These medical professionals from Australia, the Philippines, and the United States worked with their in-country Indian counterparts to provide patients with free physical examinations and 45 life changing surgeries.

This was Operation Smile’s first international medical mission to Rajkot, and Operation Smile’s first international medical mission of the New Year. Since Operation Smile's first mission to India in 2002, volunteers have provided free physical examinations to more than 4,200 patients and life-changing surgery to more than 1,700 children and young adults during international medical missions throughout the country.

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