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Operation Smile Australia

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Brisbane, QLD
Operation Smile Australia

We provide safe surgery for craniofacial & cleft conditions and train local medical teams. Every three minutes, a child is born with a craniofacial condition.

https://operationsmile.supporterhub.net.au/donations/general-donate-now

https://operationsmile.org.au/get-involved/volunteer/ Yet in many parts of the world, families cannot access or afford the surgery their child needs. Without treatment, children may struggle to eat, speak, or attend school. At Operation Smile Australia, we believe every child deserves access to safe, life-changing surgical ca

re. For just $300, a single cleft surgery can give a child the chance to eat, speak, smile, and thrive. Our volunteer medical teams from Australia and New Zealand work alongside local hospitals, train healthcare professionals, and provide essential equipment—creating lasting, sustainable change. Because every child deserves the chance to smile with confidence.

01/09/2026

Feeding can be a real challenge for children with cleft conditions, and gaining enough weight for surgery is not always easy.

When Moses and his mum, Aba, arrived at an International Operation Smile program in Ghana, he was not a safe weight for surgery. It is heartbreaking to be so close to the care a child needs and still have to wait.

Through ongoing support, Moses' family received practical guidance to help him grow. Later that same year, he received his life-changing surgery, bringing great relief to his mum, Aba.

30/08/2026

Aussies Head to India for Cleft Program

From 29 August to 8 September, our volunteers are on the ground in Jhansi, India, as part of an international cleft program.

Nurse Lynne Shands and her daughter Liz Reardon are volunteering together as a mother-daughter team. They're providing pre- and post-operative care for patients, while also mentoring local staff and sharing skills to strengthen cleft care in the region.

Volunteers like Lynne and Liz are vital to our work. Their efforts help deliver surgery and build lasting local skills, creating change that continues long after they head home.

26/08/2026

From "bungi" to beautiful: Jane Rose.

Last week, we shared Jane Rose's story. Today, we're sharing her journey - video.

Jane Rose spent years being called something other than her own name — until the medical volunteers behind one free surgery changed that for good.

🎥 Watch her story below.

"I am not 'cleft' anymore. I am just beautiful." — Jane Rose

To our volunteers and donors: this is your impact. 🙏

25/08/2026

🧡 Joseph’s Story - 12 month's on From Craniofacial Surgery

Joseph, the youngest of ten siblings, faced years of bullying and isolation because of his craniofacial condition. Eventually, he stopped attending school.

In 2023, his family travelled to Operation Smile’s Craniofacial Program in Manila, where volunteer medical teams performed a successful surgery to repair his encephalocele.

A year later, Joseph is attending a vocational technical college, has made new friends, plays basketball and dreams of becoming a police officer.

Specialised surgical care transforms lives — helping children heal, belong and look to the future with hope.

📅 Our next Craniofacial Program in Manila is confirmed for October 10–17, with Australian medical volunteers attending.

19/08/2026

Guatemala Program wraps up | 44 Lives Changed

Our Guatemala surgical program concluded three days ago (August 17), bringing together international volunteers and local medical teams for a week of surgery, mentorship, and shared learning.

Dr Mark Lee, a reconstructive surgeon from WA, worked alongside local doctors & medical teams throughout the program, sharing techniques and supporting hands-on learning.

For us, this is what lasting impact looks like — not only transforming the lives of patients but strengthening local skills so more children can receive safe care in the future.

Thank you to Dr Lee and everyone who contributed to this program. We look forward to sharing more updates on its impact soon.

18/08/2026

MANILA CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY PROGRAM

Do you know someone who needs craniofacial surgery?

This October, Operation Smile Australia's medical volunteers are heading to Manila to provide free, specialised surgery and care for children with craniofacial conditions.

Program Dates: 📅 10–17 October 2026 📍 Manila, Philippines

If you know a child or family who may benefit from this program, please message us directly.

📩 Get in touch to find out more or refer a patient.

Please share this with anyone who may need our help.

17/08/2026

Jane Rose was born in the Philippines with a cleft condition. From an early age, life was painfully difficult — she was bullied at school and often felt alone. She longed to be accepted and simply called by her real name.

Again and again, she would ask her dad, "Why do they keep calling me 'bungi' (cleft) when my name is Jane Rose?"

Then, a free surgery changed everything. Life became so much easier for Jane, and she was finally given the chance to be seen and accepted for who she was.

In Jane's own words: "They play with me now. They don't tease me anymore. I am not 'cleft' anymore. I am just beautiful." 💛

12/08/2026

Meet Medical Volunteer Jenny: Back in Cebu, Making a Difference

OR Nurse, Jenny Aspinall recently returned from a placement Operation Smile Philippines - Cebu Center of Excellence, where 16 patients received surgery — 8 under her direct care. Alongside this work she also mentored a local OR nurse strengthening local surgical capacity through hands-on skills sharing.

Jenny was proud to return to Cebu for her second year and witness the team’s continued growth.

“It's so heartwarming to see the patients and caregivers' journey — from preoperative screening to surgery and recovery. Seeing the team run mock codes was a powerful milestone, reflecting growing readiness and commitment to safe surgical care”, Jenny shared.

Thank you, Jenny, for your skill, heart, and dedication! 💙

06/08/2026

At a recent placement Operation Smile Philippines - Cebu Center of Excellence in June, where 100 patients were screened and 52 received surgery, Anaesthetist Dr Kim Fuller shared her favourite moment below:

"Bringing a 2-year-old child to theatre who was not crying and happy to hold a mask for anaesthesia because we had taken the time to engage them and my trainee sung a song." 👶 🎶

Dr Fuller also spoke highly of the theatre team she worked alongside:

"My theatre team (surgeon, surgical trainee, scrub nurse, circulating nurse and the anaesthetic team) were incredible. We had great communication and well discussed plans surrounding possible complications. It was an absolute pleasure working with them all.

Our circulating nurse (Hoover) was incredibly skilled, showed excellent situational awareness, and had great non-technical skills. The surgical team (local surgeon Dr Mae and Kenyan trainee Michael) was highly competent, had great communication, and was open to suggestions to improve patient care." 🙌

It's moments like these, and the difference they make to the children and families involved, that keep Dr Fuller coming back to volunteer.

Pictured below: Nurse Alison Cooper and AN Dr Kim Fuller

Address

Quarters Building Mater Hospital Raymond Terrace
Brisbane, QLD
4101

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 4pm
Tuesday	9am - 4pm
Wednesday	9am - 4pm
Thursday	9am - 4pm
Friday	9am - 4pm

Website

http://operationsmile.org.au/

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