Life-Changing Care Within Reach: For Tú and His Family the Journey to Surgery and Essential Care is Filled with Hope

In a humble farmhouse at the base of the mountains of  Khuôn Hà in Vietnam, a clothing line is strung heavily with children’s clothing. A tea pot bubbes with steam on a stove. It’s the home of Thiện,  Thiếp and their children.  Less than two years ago when Thiếp was pregnant, an ultrasound at a nearby hospital presented a new challenge for the family. “The doctor said [the baby] had a cleft lip,” recalls the 38-year-old mother.  

“Eating is a bit difficult. He can’t swallow well, and food often falls out,” says Thiện about Tú, now an 18 month old starting to discover the world around him. Each year, more than 2,000 children are born with a cleft condition in Vietnam, something that happens every three minutes around the world. Cleft conditions affect their health, and without intervention can create difficulties with eating, breathing, speaking and mental health.

For Tú and his family, there is hope, after discovering a life-changing program from Operation Smile at the Vietnam Cuba Hospital in Hanoi. Though it’s a six-hour journey by bus, the opportunity to improve Tú’s life with surgery is something they are looking forward to. “I hope Tú will live a healthy life after the surgery,” says his mom, “that his lips will be healed and our family can be more at peace. “ 

Operation Smile is a globally supported, locally led organization that is working to break down the barrier of care for families like Tú’s, especially distance. Though there are many commonalities of essential care around the world, each region and community is unique, which is why having local doctors is crucial. Viet Nguyen, VPvice president of development, Asia Pacific, explains the process for a patient like Tú. “First, we evaluate them to see if they if they are healthy enough and qualify for surgery,” he says of the screening process that all Operation Smile patients go through on arrival to one of its partner facilities. 

Tú is admitted, and his procedure goes smoothly. The change is remarkable, and his mom beams with gratitude. “When Tú returns from surgery, his brothers will be very happy to see him finished surgery,” she says.

Operation Smile believes every child deserves access to safe, high-quality surgical care — no matter where they’re born and, through Operation 100, is bringing care closer to home for families like Tú in many remote regions. Through the generosity of our donors, partners and supporters, children like Tú receive life-changing care at no cost.