When Angie was born in La Ceiba, Honduras with a cleft lip and palate, her family was overwhelmed. They had no idea what came next, only that they would do whatever it took to find her the care she needed. Like many families around the world, they were met with fear, uncertainty, and limited access to resources.
But thanks to compassionate supporters like you, Angie’s life took a different path, one filled with care, confidence, and purpose.
Angie was seven years old when she first connected with Operation Smile. While she had already undergone surgery to repair her cleft lip and palate, there were still many challenges. She struggled to speak clearly and had never received follow-up care like speech therapy or psychosocial support.
“I could speak, but my tongue felt heavy,” she shared. “I couldn’t pronounce certain words, and I had trouble rolling my R’s.”
With the support of Operation Smile’s care team, Angie received the comprehensive treatment she needed, including orthodontics, speech therapy, nutrition support, and emotional care. For the first time, she felt understood, empowered, and hopeful for the future.
“Now I can smile freely and speak without people wondering what I’m trying to say.”
Growing up in a small community where cleft conditions were rarely seen, Angie often felt isolated. But the kindness and support she received through Operation Smile changed everything.
What started as care for a cleft condition became something much greater — she felt a renewed sense of self and a desire to give back.
Inspired by her family’s spirit of volunteerism, Angie joined Acompañando Sonrisas, a program in Honduras that supports families of children born with cleft conditions. She and her parents now volunteer together, offering comfort, encouragement, and guidance to those beginning their cleft care journey.
Angie is a proud member of Cleft Connect Chat, a global virtual community where young people born with cleft conditions and parents of children with cleft conditions share stories, friendship, and support. Last year, she attended her first International Student Leadership Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, where she found even more inspiration to use her voice for good.
“Parents would look at me and say, ‘So this is how my child could be one day?’. That hope, that spark, is what inspired me to become a volunteer.”
Now 22 years old, Angie is a third-year medical student at the Catholic University of Honduras. Her dream is to become a maxillofacial surgeon, so she can help other children like herself receive the care they need and deserve.
She hopes to be the doctor who offers more than a procedure: one who speaks with kindness, calms fears, and builds trust just as others once did for her.
“You’re Not Alone. I’ve Been There.”
To Angie, being a patient advocate is about more than sharing her story. It’s about standing beside others who are on a similar path and reminding them they are never alone.
“I want to be the person who says, ‘You can do this. Let me help you.’”
Angie recently spoke at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, sharing her journey as a former patient, student, and volunteer. She spoke of the power of access and how cleft surgery and compassionate care opened doors, changed her life, and ignited a purpose within her to give back.
A Heart Full of Gratitude
As she looks ahead, Angie is filled with gratitude for the care that changed her life, for the team who believed in her, and for generous supporters like you who made it all possible.
“If I hadn’t accepted myself, I wouldn’t have had the courage to share my story or pursue medicine,” she says. “My past shaped me.”
Thanks to your support, Angie can now dream of becoming a surgeon, supporting cleft patients and families in her own community, and mentoring others who want to follow in her footsteps.
“Operation Smile is part of who I am. They helped me grow, gain confidence, and believe in a brighter future. Now it’s my turn to help others do the same.”
Every smile you help create is the beginning of something much bigger. For Angie, it was the first step toward a life filled with purpose and giving back.
When you donate to Operation Smile, you’re not just funding a surgery — you’re opening a world of possibilities. You’re helping children grow up strong, confident, and ready to change the world.
Thank you for helping children, like Angie, receive the care they need to thrive and the chance to dream big.
