Rwanda

One Among Thousands

Dr. Ghulam Qadir Fayyaz has performed thousands of cleft surgeries, but the story of one Operation Smile patient revealed a definitive moment in his career.

United States

Coming to Life on the Page: Q&A with Kimberly and Warren Griffin

In her children’s book, “My Beautiful Lips,” Kimberly Griffin tells the story through the eyes of Abana, a 12-year-old girl who was born with a cleft lip. Although she is a fictional character, Abana faces real challenges that many of our patients encounter when living with an untreated cleft condition.

Honduras

Scenes of Hope and Healing: Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Last month in Tegucigalpa, 112 patients arrived to receive screening during one of Operation Smile Honduras’ largest surgical programs since the onset of the pandemic.

Global

A Family’s Mission to Help Others Spans Across 40 Years of Love and Leadership

Attending surgical programs as a child left a lasting impression on Dr. Billy Magee and influenced who he is as a surgeon. But as a father, the impression was deep enough that he jumped at the chance to give his oldest son, Liam, an opportunity to have a similar experience during a recent program in Rwanda.

Malawi

A Brighter Day for Sunday

Esner refused to let her son’s future be consumed by harmful gossip and whispers. Sunday’s happiness and well-being motivated her to find a solution.

Global

Volunteer Voices: Women in Medicine, Lima, Peru

An Operation Smile signature initiative pursuing the goal of providing access to safe surgery and cleft care for 1 million patients over the next decade, Women in Medicine aims to close the gender gap in health care leadership so that more patients can receive care in more places.

Ecuador

Educate, Enrich, Empower: Q&A with Clinical Coordinator Homaire Caicedo

With August being National Breastfeeding Month, Homaire Caicedo is actively spreading awareness about the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers as early as possible in their child’s development. 

Guatemala

Serving More People in More Places: Operation Smile Champion Program

Piloted in Escuintla, Guatemala, the Operation Smile Champion Program brought together experienced volunteers to educate Guatemalan mentees with the goal of helping more families access timely cleft care.

Brazil

“His surgery was the best gift ever”

A once exciting ultrasound appointment quickly took a turn in a way that Naira never imagined.