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Stories You Make Possible

Stories You Make Possible

Explore Operation Smile stories from around the world highlighting the courage of patients and their families, the dedication of our volunteers and staff, and the generosity of supporters like you.

Ghana

Answering The Call: Q&A with Cleft Surgeon Dr. Opoku Ampomah

In this Q&A, Dr. Opoku Ampomah shares the reason behind what has inspired him to keep coming back to Operation Smile Ghana for the last 12 years.
Guatemala

After 11 Years, Hope Emerges for a Daughter and Her Mom

VIDEO: For 11 years, Eluvia felt alone as she searched for care for her daughter, Dayana. But those feelings of uncertainty and doubt disappeared after she connected with Operation Smile Guatemala.
Global

Women Empowering Women

Throughout 2022, women-led volunteer teams delivered 280 surgeries during our Women in Medicine surgical programs in Morocco, Peru, Malawi and the Philippines.
Brazil

Meet Our Patients: Santarem, Brazil

Wesilyn, Lorrane and Jhone’s three separate journeys to care converged at an Operation Smile Brazil surgical program in Santarem. Here are their stories.
Honduras

Through a Mother’s Eyes: Q&A With Ana

In this special Q&A with a patient’s parent, we hear what Zoe’s mom, Ana, experienced at every stage of her daughter’s cleft care journey.
United States

“Every little thing you do is making a difference”

By sharing his story, Willy Sikora creates a ripple effect that spreads determination and hope to others born with cleft conditions.
Philippines

Expanding Opportunities for Women in Medicine

During our fifth Women in Medicine surgical program, 60 volunteers came together and changed the lives of 55 patients in the same country where Operation Smile began 40 years ago.
Honduras

The Motivation That Moves Her: Q&A with Speech Pathologist Gloria Vilches

In this Q&A, Gloria Vilches explains why her work is vital for patients before and after cleft surgery as well as where her passion to serve others originated from while growing up.
Malawi

Carol’s Wish

In her free time between teaching and working toward completing her master’s degree, Carol Chigona serves as an Operation Smile Malawi volunteer. Her wish for children like herself is that they refuse to let anyone tell them that they deserve less out of life.

MAKE A GIFT

It takes as little as $240 and as few as 45 minutes to provide life-changing surgery and a bright, beautiful new smile to a waiting child.