Day 10: Smile

It might seem so easy to smile, but for some it's not.  Cleft lip (and/or palate), a congenital deformity, changes the typical anatomy of the face.  Where you would expect a beautiful smile to appear, instead there is a cavity, a hole in the upper lip, or a gaping vacancy where teeth should be.  


"More than 200,000 children are born with a severe cleft condition each year — often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. In some places these children are shunned and rejected. And in too many cases, their parents can't afford to give them the surgeries they need to live a normal life."


Operation Smile is caring for these children.  Their mission is this:  "Mobilizing a world of generous hearts to heal children's smiles and transform lives across the globe.  We believe that all children deserve to live their lives with dignity. And for those suffering from cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities, dignity begins with a smile.  Driven by our universal compassion for children, we work worldwide to repair childhood facial deformities by delivering safe, effective surgical care directly to patients. The global partnerships we create, the knowledge we share and the infrastructure we build leave a legacy that lives well beyond our medical missions, making a lasting difference in our world."


There are missions happening all over the world, in over 50 countries.  This month, they just wrapped up a mission in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, where they were able to perform over 115 reconstructive surgeries.  One hundred and fifteen children who can now smile without shame or embarrassment!