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From the Field

When There’s No Road, We Make One

A truck is tipped on its side in orange mud

In the southeastern corner of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) roads are rare, but resilience is everywhere.

In Haut-Katanga Province, only about 5% of roads are accessible year-round. For families living with cleft conditions, that means a life-changing surgery can feel impossibly out of reach. But at Operation Smile, we’ve learned something powerful from the communities we serve: we adapt, because they do.

Truck travels through overgrown forests over a bridge made of trees.
Operation Smile’s team in DRC travels through overgrown forests, across bridges made from trees, and across regions with no roads to reach patients across the country.
Open quote

No roads? No problem. Our country partners will pack up the supplies, gather the team, and bring the care directly to the kids.

Nathalie Punkkinen, Director, Brand & Strategic Communications for Operation Smile Canada

Recently, as the Operation Smile Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) team headed out to deliver care, their truck became trapped in thick, unforgiving mud. There was no road to follow—just a deep need for cleft care.

Undeterred, the team grabbed what they could and walked the final kilometres on foot. They were met by a warm, welcoming community, and with the help of local residents, they eventually freed the vehicle too.

Recently, as the Operation Smile Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) team headed out to deliver care, their truck became trapped in thick, unforgiving mud. There was no road to follow—just a deep need for cleft care.

Undeterred, the team grabbed what they could and walked the final kilometres on foot. They were met by a warm, welcoming community, and with the help of local residents, they eventually freed the vehicle too.

A vehicle with its hood up is parked in thick, orange mud. Several people, of all ages, stand around it with hands leaning on it.
A group of kind neighbours help push Operation Smile’s vehicle out of the mud.

A Roaming Program Built on Determination

Operation Smile DRC’s Roaming Comprehensive Care Program was designed specifically to reach patients who live far from hospitals or even basic infrastructure. Many families travel hours — sometimes days — by foot just to reach help. But now, instead of making them come to receive care, we bring care to them.

These mobile programs offer:

  • Pre-surgical assessments
  • Nutrition support for underweight children
  • Speech therapy and pediatric care
  • Community education to fight stigma

Care, Closer to Home: A Global Strategy

Unfortunately, the crisis in accessing cleft and surgical care is not unique to the DRC, it’s global.  In under-resourced countries, 9 out of 10 people are unable to get even the most basic surgery. That’s why Operation Smile has launched a bold new strategy to bring essential surgery to millions more people, within 2 hours of where they live. Through Operation 100, we’re investing in:

  • 100 local hospitals in under-resourced communities.
  • 100 cleft surgical teams trained to deliver safe, effective surgery.
  • Essential equipment for safe and timely procedures.
  • Improved hospital spaces where patients can recover with dignity.

And 100 is just the beginning…

Patients Throughout the Years

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