Bhavnagar, India: August 20-28, 2009

Dear Friends at Operation Smile,

It is with great honor that I announce the completion of Operation Smile India’s mission to Bhavnagar. Volunteers from India, the Philippines, Russia, Ecuador, Canada, Israel and the United States came together to provide new smiles for 53 patients – 47 of whom returned for post-op! It was truly inspiring to see this group come together to change so many lives.

One patient in particular was sure to bring a smile to all of our faces. Rakesh was born with a facial cleft, much more than just a cleft lip. Despite his disfiguring condition that even other patients noticed as different, Rakesh was full of a bright spirit and a brave heart.

After his surgery, his parents joined him in the recovery room, their tears of joy acknowledging the different life their son would now have. When the surgeon walked in, Rakesh’s mother leaned over to touch his feet, a true sign of respect and gratitude. It was an amazingly touching moment for the entire team. The pictures attached are of Rakesh before his surgery and then after his surgery, looking at his own before and after pictures.

We would like to thank the volunteers for their tireless work, as well as the immense support from Operation Smile India and Operation Smile International. It was only with the teamwork involved that we were able to accomplish what we did.

Wishing you all the best,
Allison Bradshaw Gonzalez, Program Coordinator

Since Operation Smile's first mission to India in 2002, volunteers have provided free physical examinations for more than 4,880 patients and life-changing surgery for more than 2,306 children and young adults during international medical missions in India.

First international mission: 2002

International mission sites: Bolpur, Deesa, Dharamsala, Gujarat, Guwahati, Himachal Pradesh, Jamshedpur, Kolkata, Manipal, Rajkot and Vijayawada

Local mission sites: Kolkata and Deesa