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Young World
Journey of a smile
NIMI KURIAN
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Celebrating 25 years of service, Operation Smile’s gift to children is a beautiful smile.
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Photo: Rohanna Mertens
Before and after: Hope dawns.
In 1982, Dr. Bill Magee, a plastic surgeon and his wife Kathy Magee, a former nurse and clinical social worker were invited to Manila to operate on clefts. They soon realised they could not manage to operate on all the patients during their visit. So they decided to get a group of friends and return to complete their task. However, once again they found they could not treat everyone.
Thus, was born Operation Smile.
For children
They work with local hospitals in organising medical camps and follow up programmes. They bring with them medical specialists and also provide education and training to local doctors. Twenty five years later, with their presence in 25 mission countries, they celebrate their work with the World Journey of Smiles with a goal of providing “new smiles and new lives”.
Operation Smile India began in 2003. The benefits of providing Operation Smile programmes to low-income communities provide them with social and economic growth. While setting the mission in place with their partner hospital and NGO, they also advertise on television, through leaflets or make announcements from an auto rickshaw to spread the word. Geared to help low income groups, the service is free.
According to an Impact survey conducted in 2002, the birth rate, in India for cleft deformities is approximately one in 700 infants. This translates to 35,000 children born every year with cleft deformities. These children cannot live a normal life as they have difficulty in breathing, eating and speaking properly. Admission to school is difficult.
Dr. Bill Magee, CEO and Co-founder of Operation Smile, says, “The World Journey of Smiles is our anniversary gift to children around the world and will be the largest surgical mission ever conducted. With the World Journey of Smiles, our goal is to bring smiles and hope to children around the world.”
For further information contact Ajit Varma ( avarma@operationsmile.org)
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