Helping out, one smile at a time

MANILA, Philippines - There is nothing like the smile of a child, one of the few things I find to be completely honest  no pretensions, no hidden agenda. But for some children, smiling can be very difficult.

These children have what is known as a cleft lip or cleft palate, a childhood facial deformity that can have devastating consequences on a child’s health and emotional well-being. But given the opportunity to reveal the smiles they’ve been hiding, it’s like seeing the sun burst through the clouds. 

More than a charity or an NGO, Operation Smile is a group of dedicated, dynamic medical professionals and caring volunteers who provide safe and effective reconstructive surgery for children born with cleft lips and cleft palates, allowing these once unsmiling kids to truly express their happiness. Putting its best foot forward, Havaianas has partnered with Operation Smile.

“Design a Smile”: The idea of children designing for other kids is a meaningful and fun way to teach them that small acts of kindness can go a long way.

The perfect solemate, Havaianas now brings cheer to the soul through this partnership. It constantly seeks to bring happiness to Filipinos by celebrating never-ending summers, reviving childhood games, sending contest winners off to Brazil for the trip of a lifetime, and so much more. This project with Operation Smile is a perfect fit.

Witnessing Operation Smile’s work firsthand at the Ospital ng Makati recently was a memorable experience. Each operation  made possible through the tireless efforts of doctors and volunteers  was unique because no two patients are ever alike and the surgeries must take place with absolute precision. The professionalism and dedication of the entire team were so impressive. Everyone in Operation Smile played a key role in the entire process and their commitment was simply amazing.

Some of our employees had the privilege of participating in the mission, providing coloring books and crayons to keep the patients occupied before the operation and giving Havaianas flip-flops as simple gestures of thanks to the doctors and volunteers. Without a doubt, the best part of the mission was seeing the children wake up soon after their operation with corrected lips or palates, and their parents filled with relief and joy. Imagine, in less than an hour, broken smiles were healed and lives changed forever.

Putting their best foot(wear) forward: “We want to put a smile on the faces of children with cleft palates,” says Anne Gonzalez, managing director of Havaianas Philippines.

We hope to get people involved not merely through donating but also through contributing their time and effort. Through Havaianas’ “Design a Smile,” a contest that encourages children to design a pair of Havaianas based on what makes them smile, kids can directly take part in changing the lives of underprivileged Filipino children. The winning pair will be produced as part of the Havaianas 2011 collection, and a percentage of its sales will be donated to Operation Smile.  

You can never be too young to learn kindness and generosity, and the idea of children designing for other kids is a meaningful and fun way to teach them that small acts of kindness can go a long, long way. Even if adults are not able to join the Havaianas “Design a Smile” contest, they can still support the cause by donating at our booth and encouraging their kids to join the contest.

Operation Smile executive director and president Bobby Manzano says that they measure their success by the number of smiles they see on children’s faces. It is our goal then to ensure that this partnership is an absolute success. Smile!