Did you know that every 3 minutes a child is born with a cleft lip or palate? Often they are unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. In some places, these children are shunned and rejected. And in too many cases, their parents can’t afford to give them the surgeries they need to live a normal life.
That’s where Operation Smile comes in.
What is Operation Smile?
Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity that heals children’s smiles, forever changing their lives. Operation Smile provides much needed surgical services. Since 1982, Operation Smile — through the help of dedicated medical volunteers — has provided more than 2 million patient evaluations and over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.
Recently, I met a little boy at one of my photography sessions who was born with a cleft lip and palate. He was adopted from China where he was once considered “sick.” His parents looked past his deformity and brought him home! He has since had both surgeries to bring back his smile.
And what a sweet smile it is!
There are many ways you can help Operation Smile in their efforts to put smile back on a child’s face. If you can, consider making a small donation!
Disclosure: I was compensated by CampusBookRenta
@thestephglover
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He does have an adorable smile!
this is a terrific cause. my husbands cousin supported this effort when she made her bat mitzvah. it was one of the more significant checks i’ve felt i’d written in a long time. something with a real before and after purpose.
Thanks for sharing : ) What a great organization. What a beautiful picture!
I love, love, love operation smile. Having worked with many children with cleft lip and palate, including tiny newborns who are having feeding issues this cause hits me close. What a sweet little boy.