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Operation Smile has transformed lives around the world by providing care to patients for more than 40 years.
- Cleft Explained Get the basics on cleft conditions.
- Surgery and Beyond Learn how cleft care is more than surgery.
- Real-Life Stories Read stories from our patients and volunteers.
We Build Hope: Celebrating Scars as Symbols of Resilience and Strength

Help Us Build Hope
We are transforming communities through education, empowerment and collaboration.
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- Operation 100 Our bold strategy to bring essential surgical care closer to patients.
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Since our founding in 1982, Operation Smile has believed that access to safe surgery is not a privilege, but a universal human right.
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- Cleft Explained
- Surgery and Beyond
- Real-Life Stories
- Where We Work
- Education and Training
- Youth Empowerment
- Policy and Advocacy
- Strategic Partners
- Thought Leadership
- Operation 100
- Ways to Give
- Share Your Medical Expertise
- Student Programs
- Advocate for Us
- Partner With Us
- Our Story and Impact
- Our Leadership
- Corporate Partners
- Financials and Reports
- News and Media
- Interactive Learning Center
- Careers

Real-Life Stories

These stories — from patients, health care providers, students and more — are made possible through the generous support from donors like you.

Featured Stories

Junior Jeremias looks up.

Junior Jeremias looks up.

Featured Story

We Build Hope: Celebrating Scars as Symbols of Resilience and Strength

Through inspiring stories of care and transformation, Operation Smile’s new brand campaign shows how scars are badges of hope — symbols of courage, strength and the possibilities that come when safe surgical care is within reach.

Help Build Hope

Recent Stories

Read the latest stories from Operation Smile.

Abril looks at the camera.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Ripple Effect: How Abril Found Her Voice

Meet Abril, a young woman using her lived experience as inspiration to help children feel the same confidence and care she received in Puebla, Mexico.

We Build Hope

Reginaldo driving

Guatemala

Discovering His Voice, And Using It to Express Love

After living an isolated life, Reginaldo’s future includes planning a wedding.

Five-year-old Michael sits patiently as Sharon, a plastic surgeon resident, takes a DNA sample.

Global

Answering Why: Operation Smile’s Ongoing Study into Cleft Risk Factors

Many parents of children with cleft conditions want to know why this happened to their child. The International Family Study seeks to answer that and so much more.

Samuel looks at the camera.

Guatemala

A Young Mother is Filled with Hope Knowing Her Baby is Receiving the Care He Needs

Meet Nancy and her wide-eyed, giggling baby Samuel, from Petén, Guatemala, at the start of a life-changing journey with Operation Smile.

Mentors and mentees work together during a training.

Mentorship in Action: Equipping the Next Generation of Global Health Leaders

Inspiring stories from our volunteers show how mentorship goes beyond passing down skills; it transforms lives, builds leaders and strengthens health care systems.

Dr. Francoise Mukagaju smiles at the camera with one of her patients, Valentine.

Global

5 Ways Volunteers Drive Sustainable Development and Impact

As the United Nations marks 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, we look at how Operation Smile volunteers help create powerful change for communities around the world.

We Build Hope

Narya leans against a wall, smiling for the camera.

Africa

A Teenager Finds Her Confidence

18-year-old Narya is excited about her future.

We Build Hope

Li smiles for the camera while holding her stuffed bunny.

Global

Nine Inspiring Moments That Made Us Smile in 2025

From launching Operation 100, our bold commitment to bring care closer to home, to opening a new country office in Tanzania, to debuting our first brand campaign, 2025 was a year to remember.

We Build Hope

Junior Jeremias sists on the ground.

Guatemala

Proof of Care That Began on Day One

Junior Jeremias is always flashing his broad smile.

Get Involved

You can give a child the chance to grow up happy and healthy — free from stigma and isolation, and full of hope for the future.

More Ways to Get Involved

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Your gift today will help transform lives and increase access to essential surgical care.

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