Intro
Brazil
Honduras
United States
Philippines
Honduras
Malawi
Bolivia
Bolivia
Guatemala
![One-year-old Wesilyn smiles wide months after receiving cleft surgery. Behind him is a bright yellow wall.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2023-02/BRA_2016_Santarem_095_Wesilyn%20Mickael%20Pinto%20Soares_After_006-3600x2400-8f0a250_0.jpg?h=1116cd87&itok=ZHDGYkRR)
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.
![Ana, holds her daughter, Zoe, wearing masks in the pre-operative ward during an Operation Smile Honduras surgical program.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2023-01/HND_2022_Tegucigalpa_3620_Zoe%20Dareysa%20Espinal%20Caseres_002_web%20%281%29.jpg?h=95651f9d&itok=8izU8lW4)
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.
![Fifteen-year-old Willy Sikora plays the violin.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2023-01/Screen%20Shot%202023-01-12%20at%202.14.01%20PM.png?h=7af6d4c7&itok=I8-yKg7w)
“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.
![Wearing the signature lime green T-shirt, Women in Medicine volunteer team takes a team photo in Cebu City, Philippines, before the start of the Oct. 2022 all-women's program.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2023-01/PHL_2022_Cebu_Team%20Photo_FTF_02_web%20%281%29.jpg?h=21a308b0&itok=GVyqHimO)
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.
![Wearing a red shirt, speech pathologist Gloria Vilches hugs 5-year-old Josue during a 2017 Operation Smile Honduras surgical program at San Felipe Hospital in Tegucigalpa.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2022-12/HND_2017_Tegucigalpa_Speech_Gloria%20Vilches_001_web.jpg?h=21a308b0&itok=25R7AhbZ)
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.
![Standing in front of a white wall, nonmedical volunteer and Operation Smile patient Carol Chigona smile wide for the camera.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2022-12/MWI_2022_Lilongwe_Non-medical%20volunteer_Carol%20Chigona_002_web%20%281%29.jpg?h=95651f9d&itok=Qziv3SLd)
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.
![During a 2018 surgical program in Bolivia, volunteer cleft surgeon Dr. Carlos Dorado wears an orange Operation Smile T-shirt as he screens 14-month-old Damian. Damian wears a blue take top while he sits on his mom's lap.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2022-11/BOL_2018_Santa%20Cruz_147_Damian%20Alvarez%20Algaranez_Before_027.jpg?h=6d74c4b8&itok=8qIToO7C)
His Path of Hope: Q&A with Surgeon Dr. Carlos Dorado
In this Q&A with Dr. Carlos Dorado, we discovered which patient stories have impacted him most throughout his time with Operation Smile as well as why he believes people must actively work at creating more moments of kindness for the families he meets on our surgical programs.
![Photo: Margherita Mirabella.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2021-08/BOL_2018_Santa%20Cruz_184_Heydi%20Marca%20Fernandez_Before_017.jpg?h=b2236a63&itok=4Ky4mY8G)
A Grandmother’s Everlasting Love
Claudina knew that her 16-year-old daughter, Wara, had a high-risk pregnancy. But she never imagined the series of events that would ultimately unfold.
![Wearing a yellow and blue long-sleeved flannel shirt, Dilan stands outside his red front door of his home and shows off his new smile two years after receiving cleft lip surgery.](https://www.operationsmile.org/sites/default/files/styles/teaser_large/public/2022-11/GTM_2022_Guatemala%20City_737_Dilan%20Isaac%20Lopez_After_017.jpg?h=5c87dc81&itok=n9Ug4xtk)
See This Mom Conquer Her Fears As She Seeks Help for Her Son
Sandy once feared the possibility of her son receiving surgery. But after connecting with Operation Smile, her perception changed. “I felt confident, welcomed by all. I trust you. I know he’s in excellent hands.”
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Every three minutes, a child is born with a cleft condition. Your gift today will help transform lives and increase access to essential surgical care.
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