Fortaleza, Brazil: September 1-8
October 21, 2009
On behalf of Operation Smile Brazil and Operation Smile, Inc., it is with great pleasure that we inform you about our recent mission to Fortaleza, Brazil. Our amazing team was made up of volunteers from eight different countries including, but not limited to, Russia, Paraguay, Ecuador and South Africa, and others from nine different U.S. states and five different states within Brazil.
During our time in Fortaleza our team of volunteers provided Basic Life Support (BLS) training to 30 participants, screened 176 patients, and gave new smiles to 110 patients!
Among the 110 patients operated, was a 3-year-old little boy named Arthur with a bilateral cleft lip who was also born without hands or feet.
Arthur quickly stole our team members’ hearts as he ran around the hospital spreading his smile and his everlasting energy. So, you can imagine our heartbreak when Arthur did not return to the hospital to receive his surgery.
Well, our team was determined to give Arthur a new smile no matter what it took! Arthur’s family did not have a phone, so calls were made to anyone and everyone in his town so we could track him down and bring him to the hospital.
Neighbors were called, the town’s priest was called, and eventually even the town’s mayor was contacted. The mayor was not only able to locate Arthur, but he provided transportation for him and his family to come to the hospital so Arthur could receive surgery at no cost.
I think Arthur’s story is a good example of what can be accomplished when you combine a “can do” attitude, a little teamwork, and a lot of passion for the work you are doing.
This mission would not have been successful without the support from the staff at the Hospital Infantil Albert Sabin, who have been conducting missions with Operation Smile for the past 12 years, our dedicated volunteers, and so many others who contributed in many different ways to make this mission possible. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Shannon Mintz and Mateus Matos
