At Operation Smile, we meet heroes all the time: surgeons who take time to train the next generation of doctors in their communities, nurses who help families feel calm while awaiting post procedure news about a loved one, volunteers who always know how to bring out the smiles in our patients. But no one inspires us more than the brave, determined and strong parents who seek care for their children. Facing barriers like distance, cost and limited access to care, they never give up on their children’s chance at a healthier future.
In honour of Mother’s Day, we are looking back at three resilient mothers we’ve met — biological, adoptive and chosen — who have navigated challenges, made sacrifices and stood as pillars of unconditional love and strength for their children and families. They play an essential role in their children’s journeys toward brighter, healthier futures and inspire us all to be more resilient.
Throughout their journey as care givers for children with cleft conditions, Operation Smile provides crucial support, much of it specifically for mothers — from psychosocial care to breastfeeding workshops to support groups and more. And in turn, we learn from them every day.
Here are some of their stories and messages of hope.
Nikuze, Adolphe’s Mother
Like every parent thinking about their baby’s future, Nikuze has a basic wish for her first-born son, Adolphe. “I want my child to have the best life possible, and I want to do whatever it takes to help him achieve that life,” she says.
Born in the northwestern corner of Rwanda, Adolphe bubbles with energy, and his big eyes don’t miss a thing, taking in faces and colours that surround him. But immediately after his birth, his mother was filled with concern. “As soon as my doctor held him, he immediately told me your child has been born with a cleft lip,” recalls Nikuze. “They told me that my child may have difficulty eating, drinking or smiling.”
At Ruhengeri Referral Hospital, one of Operation Smile’s partner hospitals in the region, Adolphe and his parents met Dr. Ntirenganya. After a careful medical evaluation to ensure the surgery would be safe for Adolphe, he was able to receive care.
“I cannot thank our doctor enough because what they did is a gift. Our child is now going to be able to eat, drink and laugh without a problem,” says Nikuze.
Discover Nikuze and Aldophe’s story.
Nina, Joyce’s Mother
When Joyce was born at a hospital in Madagascar, the midwife told her mother, Nina, “It’s a girl.” “I was so excited,” Joyce recalls. “Then she said, ‘She has a little problem on her lip.’” At the time, Nina didn’t know much about cleft conditions or what they meant for her daughter’s future. She worried about how Joyce would grow, eat and speak. But soon, she found support from friends who introduced her to Operation Smile.
From being a mother seeking help for her own child to becoming a psychosocial care provider with Operation Smile, she now provides psychosocial support to other families. To parents of children with a cleft, Nina’s message is clear: have hope.
“But for the good of our children, we have to be strong. Give them the chance to have a better life,” she advises. “Don’t let fear stop you from doing what’s best for them.”
Ai, Danh’s Mother
When Danh was born in Vietnam, his mother, Ai, and father, Luyen, had never seen someone with a cleft lip before. To them, it mattered little compared to the joy of welcoming their third child to the family. Ai’s midwife explained it was not unusual for a child to be born with a cleft lip and that surgery was possible to treat it.
At 3 years old, energetic Danh loved preschool. But even his loving family sometimes had difficulty understanding his speech, and his classmates were quick to bully him when tempers flared.
After learning about Operation Smile from a government agency, Danh’s family made the 90 km trip to a surgical program, only to learn that Danh had an infection and couldn’t undergo safe surgery. Four months later, Ai traveled with Danh to another Operation Smile surgical program to finally get the care he needed.
Six months after surgery, Ai said the family was overjoyed to witness Danh’s new smile, especially his two older sisters. She added that since his surgery, Danh’s overall health improved and that she can now understand him completely when he speaks.
Give a gift to celebrate a resilient mom in your life that helps another. Your support brings brighter futures to families around the world.
