Operation Smile UK

Operation Smile UK We’re grateful to medical volunteers, partners and generous supporters.
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Children's medical charity providing free, safe surgery to children born with cleft conditions in more than 35 countries around the world where healthcare is harder to access.

23/06/2026

How many people does it take to help a child access cleft care?

The answer might surprise you.

Surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists, paediatricians, psychologists, nutrition specialists, logistics teams and many more all play a vital role in every Operation Smile surgical programme. 👩‍⚕️🏥

Together, they help children who might otherwise be unable to access life-changing cleft surgery and care.

We are grateful to Doreenlove and every volunteer who helps make this work possible. Thank you 💙

Keep up-to-date with the latest news and stories from Operation Smile UK. 💙Take a break from the headlines and enjoy ins...
22/06/2026

Keep up-to-date with the latest news and stories from Operation Smile UK. 💙

Take a break from the headlines and enjoy inspiring stories of hope, resilience, and life-changing cleft care – all thanks to the kindness of volunteers, partners and supporters like you.

💌 Sign up to our enews now:
https://bit.ly/operationsmileemailfb

When Lia was born with a cleft lip in rural Guatemala, her devoted dad Gerardo refused to give up on her future.He made ...
21/06/2026

When Lia was born with a cleft lip in rural Guatemala, her devoted dad Gerardo refused to give up on her future.

He made the gruelling nine-hour journey four times over to help her access the free, safe surgery she needed.

This Father's Day, here's to all the devoted dads around the world. 💙

Read more about Gerado's determination to access life-changing care for his daughter through Operation Smile:
https://www.operationsmile.org.uk/stories/a-dads-dream-come-true/

18/06/2026

Every successful surgical programme depends on people working behind the scenes.

In the first of three reports from Tanzania, Clinical Coordinator Doreenlove explains her role in helping patients, families and medical volunteers throughout the programme. 💙

From coordinating schedules to supporting patient care, her work helps ensure every part of the programme runs safely and smoothly.

Next, we'll hear about the many specialists who make comprehensive cleft care possible. Thank you to Maame Akosua Serwah ✨

What is an Operation Smile surgical programme?Over the next few days, volunteer Clinical Coordinator Doreenlove will tak...
17/06/2026

What is an Operation Smile surgical programme?

Over the next few days, volunteer Clinical Coordinator Doreenlove will take us behind the scenes of a recent surgical programme in Tanzania. 🌍💙

You'll discover how patients are identified, how volunteers come together from around the world, and how comprehensive cleft care is delivered before, during and after surgery.

Follow along as we explore what it really takes to help children access life-changing cleft care.

16/06/2026

Meet Dr Valeri, a maxillofacial surgeon and Operation Smile volunteer.

Dr Valeri was recently reunited with patient Dayana in Guatemala, and we’ve been delighted to share their experiences. Dr Valeri, from Ecuador, has volunteered on countless surgical programmes across the world. Today, he plays a vital role in training the next generation of cleft surgeons, emphasising not only surgical skill but also a commitment to lifelong learning and growth.

At Operation Smile, education and training are at the heart of what we do. Through our medical education programmes, we support health workers by providing the mentorship and tools they need to deliver high-quality care in their communities.

We’re so grateful to all medical volunteers like Dr Valeri who are advancing care and transforming lives.

What if you could use your skills to change the lives of patients and their families, and help train the next generation...
11/06/2026

What if you could use your skills to change the lives of patients and their families, and help train the next generation of healthcare workers?

Back from a recent surgical programme in Malawi, PACU doctor and Operation Smile volunteer Annemieke says that education is the key that unlocks opportunities for entire communities to thrive.

From screening children before surgery to mentoring young medical professionals, she saw first-hand how sharing knowledge creates lasting impact far beyond a single operation. 👩‍⚕️📚

Read Annemieke’s inspiring story and discover why she believes medical education can transform lives beyond the operating room. 💙🙌

https://www.operationsmile.org.uk/stories/sharing-skills-to-change-lives/

Naomi’s parents made an unthinkable journey with their six-month-old baby to access cleft surgery. 💙Elizabeth and Bonifa...
10/06/2026

Naomi’s parents made an unthinkable journey with their six-month-old baby to access cleft surgery. 💙

Elizabeth and Bonifacio were already facing significant challenges. Flooding had devastated their farm, leaving the family without income. When their third child, Naomi, was born with a cleft condition, they kept her at home to protect her from harmful stigma while they searched for support.

After hearing about an upcoming surgical programme at Operation Smile Bolivia, they made the decision to travel. Their journey included:

• A three-hour walk 👣
• A seven-hour journey on a borrowed motorbike 🏍️
• Two and a half hours by bus 🚌

Thankfully, following a comprehensive health evaluation, Naomi was cleared for surgery. Just days later, the family returned home together, full of hope for the future.

Access to safe, timely treatment for children born with cleft conditions is incredibly important. 💙 Through our new initiative Operation 100, our goal is to make sure safe surgery is no more than 2 hours travel away for our patients. It’s an ambitious target but so vital, and we’re grateful for any support you’re able to offer.

09/06/2026

📢 “Donations are helping families to get access to surgery that they otherwise simply wouldn’t have.”

Our Director of Partnerships, Mike Straney, explains how your donations are changing lives at an Operation Smile surgical programme in Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪🏥

Thank you Mike for the update, and to all our supporters, partners and volunteers who make programmes like these possible. 💙

Every donation you make can help us provide life-changing surgery and care to children with cleft conditions. 💙A simple ...
08/06/2026

Every donation you make can help us provide life-changing surgery and care to children with cleft conditions. 💙

A simple ‘tap yes’ to donate at Savers checkouts makes all the difference:

✨ £2 could provide a colouring book for a child waiting for life-changing surgery
✨ £10 could provide a special feeding bottle to help a child get the vital nutrients they need
✨ £15 could help buy essential surgical equipment for a child’s surgery

Thank you to everyone who’s contributed so far!

Find out more about our campaign via the link in the comments...

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