Patient Stories

“He was unprotected, and I had the chance to help him. I felt like it was what I needed to do,” nurse Mónica del Valle reminisces about adopting baby Álvaro…

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…

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…

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Operation Smile remains committed to providing our patients with the highest quality of cleft surgery and comprehensive care, and we are working in close collaboration with…