Our Stories

Mothers like Nury feel helpless when safe and affordable surgery isn’t available for their children. Nury’s fear of what her daughter’s future would hold is why our comprehensive care centers…

Jean and Sidonie had little hope of a healthy future for their two-year old daughter Elisa. Born with a cleft lip and cleft palate, Elisa’s family was overjoyed to learn…

When Maria Belen was born in Bolivia with a cleft lip and cleft palate, her mother was surprised. She didn’t know anything about cleft conditions. As a single mother and…

Honoré was born in Madagascar with a cleft lip and cleft palate to caring parents who wanted nothing but the best for him. “Children were afraid of him,” his mother,…

For Yoel and Yeli, theirs was a future full of uncertainty. Leaving their home in Venezuela, the family made their way to Peru searching for a new life. They were…

Sweet Leasy was born with a cleft lip and palate in Toamasina, Madagascar. His grandmother, Jeanette, has been a pillar of support and care for him since. “He was so…

Volunteering is Empathy in Action is the theme for National Volunteer Week in 2022. It affirms the strong connection between our volunteers and their continuous support to Operation Smile’s cause…

Precious was born in March 2019 in the eastern region of Ghana and is the youngest of five children. Her mother Charlotte said Precious’ cleft condition went undetected during her…