It is estimated that there are millions of children waiting for care in the 34 countries where Operation Smile works.

The majority of these children are unable to receive the medical care they need because it is too costly, far away, or specialized. Because of this, being born with a cleft condition can be fatal. If a child survives, they may face bullying and social isolation.

Through our expertise in treating cleft lip and cleft palate, Operation Smile creates solutions that deliver safe surgery to people where it’s needed most.

What started as a family-led, medical-mission based organization has grown into a global network of passionate individuals united under the belief that access to safe surgery is not a privilege, but a universal human right.

Empowering local health professionals through training and education creates surgical solutions that last. Most of Operation Smile’s medical volunteers are from the low-and middle-income countries served. By partnering with ministries of health, academic institutions, corporations, local health professionals and other organizations, their goal is to change lives and revolutionize how entire health systems deliver surgical care where Operation Smile works.