Patients

Letting Her Beauty Shine Through

Makeup influencer Palisha never hides her scars.

March 31, 2026

Twenty-one-year-old Palisha sits in front of her camera, makeup brush in hand, ring light glowing. She’s enjoying a newly found business opportunity, demonstrating makeup and cosplay tutorials. “They allow me to express my creativity and personality,” she says, smiling.

Palisha’s journey to becoming a confident young woman was not an easy one.

Born with a complex cleft condition, she needed extra care as a baby to ensure she was feeding properly and receiving the nutrition she needed to grow. Her parents found Operation Smile when she was 5 years old and set her on a path to receive multiple surgeries — nine in total.

I felt blessed because each surgery, each physical change, the ability to eat properly and the ability to express myself better … brought a positive change, allowing me to continue moving forward.
— Palisha, Operation Smile patient

Palisha, among the stuffed animals she's received from Operation Smile over the years. — Palisha lies among all the stuffed animals that she’s received from Operation Smile during her years of care.

Palisha lives in Guatemala, one of the 37 countries where Operation Smile works. With only one specialist surgical provider for every 100,000 people many families in Guatemala face long journeys just to receive the care they need.

Today, a high school graduate with a love for reading, Palisha has found her voice and embraces her journey and her scars. “I feel proud of myself because I believe there are no limitations,” she says. “Everything is a process that helps me grow as a human being.”

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