Operation Smile prepares for 16th annual mission

CEBU, Philippines - After attending to the needs of victims of last year’s catastrophes in Cebu and Bohol, the Operation Smile is back to its annual free reconstructive surgery on cleft lips and palate.

Operation Smile announced its 16th annual mission set for June 9 to 13, 2014 at the Adventist Hospital Cebu (formerly HW Miller Hospital and Sanitarium) in Cebu City.

Since 1998, almost 4,000 children have already benefitted from Operation Smile Medical Mission in Cebu in partnership with the Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung Charitable Foundation, Inc.

This free reconstructive surgery often lasts only for 45 minutes and will transform the lives of cleft children forever, said MSYCFI executive director Monette Aliño.

Aliño said that those who wish to avail of the free surgery may call their office at telephone number 231-1829 so they will be guided on the application procedure.

Operation Smile is a major project of MSYCFI and has helped children with facial deformities which surgery would normally cost around P60,000 to P100,000.

Aliño said the catastrophes in 2013 like the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu, and super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas pushed MSYCFI to shift its vision to the urgent need.

A special operations team was organized headed by Director Jewelle Marlie Yeung.

Immediately, aid was brought to Bohol for the earthquake victims and to north of Cebu for the survivors of typhoon Yolanda.

More than 500 beneficiaries have received construction materials for the rehabilitation of homes while MSYCFI has pledged 1,000 homes to Medellin, Daanbantayan and Madridejos.

Operation Smile began in the Philippines  with its first mission in Naga City, Camarines Sur in 1982.  Founders Doctor William Magee and his wife, Kathy, a nurse and social worker, traveled to the Philippines with a group of medical volunteers to repair children’s cleft lips and cleft palates.

They discovered hundreds of children with deformities and although they helped many children, the volunteers were forced to turn away the majority of those who sought help. The Magees saw the need to do more and Operation Smile was born.

Operation Smile’s international missions are conducted throughout the year in hard-to-reach places throughout the world. International missions involve up to 60 medical volunteers who travel to partner countries to provide surgeries for children over a two-week period.

Operation Smile’s partner countries also facilitate treatment for facial deformities, either by conducting medical missions on the local level or by conducting year-round programs in existing health facilities or through the development of clinics.— /ATO (FREEMAN)